Life Events

Marilyn Kay Isbell, 76, Whitewater, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI.

Marilyn was born on May 10, 1944 in Enid, OK to Ernest and Thelma (Myers) Dearing.  She graduated from Pioneer High School in Pioneer, OK in 1962. Marilyn married Jon Isbell.  He preceded her in death in December, 1992. 

She is survived by her children Brandon Isbell, Fulton, KS, Justin (Anjeza) Isbell, Delavan, WI, Christine (Brad) Ford, Mustang, OK; grandchildren Dakota, Denver, Lysander, Britini, and Brendan; step-grandchildren Marios and Xhonatan; sisters: Carolyn (Frank) Henry, Kremlin, OK and Wanda.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Donna, Daryl, and Kenny.

Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Kenneth O. “Ken” Leipold left us to go to his Savior on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Ken was born on August 24, 1937 in Racine, WI to Arthur and Bernice (Zeick) Leipold. Ken was proud to be a graduate of Horlick High and often teased nieces and nephews that attended other schools in Racine. Ken furthered his education first at UW-LaCrosse and then UW-Whitewater in education where he met his future wife, Sonja Stowe. They were married August 15, 1959 while still in college.

Ken and Sonja raised their two children, Kristine and Lance in Jefferson, a town they came to love and serve. Ken started teaching in Jefferson in 1961 and continuing in various roles of teacher, coach, athletic director, guidance counselor and administrator. Ken had a bachelors and masters from UWW. He was always proud to be a Warhawk. The most important thing to Ken was that he was a great educator and really cared about every student. He was proud to be an educator in Jefferson and to be a Jefferson Eagle. Ken retired in 1995 after a long career. Ken met Judy (Roth) Mantz after Sonja passed away. He married Judy in 2003 and had many years of love and fun in retirement as they traveled and enjoyed so much of life.

Ken was a long time member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Jefferson, even serving on the elder board at one time. Faith was very important to him from childhood on.

He leaves behind Judy, daughter Kristine Leonard of Watertown, WI, son Lance (Kelly) Leipold of Clarence, NY; stepchildren Grant (Rachel) Mantz of Chicago, IL, Melissa (Jamie) Guld of Cambridge, WI, and Margo (Jake) Wichman of Johnson Creek, WI; grandchildren Rhett Leonard, Lindsey Leipold, Landon Leipold, and step-grandchildren Allison Mantz, Ella Mantz, Elisabeth Guld, and Nora Wichman.

Ken is preceded in death by parents, his first wife, Sonja, brother Arthur Leipold, sister Ardis Zimprich and step-grandson Pierce Guld.

Private services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jefferson on February 24, 2021. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at a later time to be announced.

The family thanks all for reaching out and sharing in his memories. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rainbow Hospice or Bethesda Lutheran communities.

Schneider-Michaelis funeral home in Jefferson is assisting the family.

Visit www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence for the family.

Kenneth John Sersch, 82, of Pampa, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday, February 15, 2021 in Pampa.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Ken was born on October 10, 1938 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to John and Ethel Sersch (Hocking-Traxler).

He was a truck driver for over forty years and employed by Anderson Trucking Company for 18 years. He was awarded the Million Mile Safe Driver award and Wisconsin Driver of the Year award. He was a member of the Pampa Lions Club as well as a member of St. Paul UMC of Pampa, Texas. He enjoyed his family, Nascar racing, and the Green Bay Packers.

Ken is survived by his wife, Diane; 2 daughters, Louise Dills (Jims) and Mary Burger Suen, 3 sons, Bob Turner, Charlie Turner, Bill Turner, and Marty Elmore who was like a son to him; 2 nephews, Dale Sersch (Julie) and Darrell Sersch (Nancy); 3 cousins, Duane Sersch, Dick Sersch, and Betty Williams; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to PAWS, 811 S Hobart St, Pampa, TX, 79065.

Doris L. Keiser of Oconomowoc, age 89, passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021, at The View at Pine Ridge due to complications from Covid-19, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. She was born on September 21, 1931, to Rudy (Dora) Krause in Chicago. She was married to William Keiser. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and her parents.

Doris is survived by her children: Robin (Lynn) Keiser, Randy (Sandy) Keiser, Douglas (Sharon) Keiser, Richard (Brenda) Keiser, and Charles (Lisa) Keiser, her grandchildren: Tera (Mike), Bryan (Ashley), Kevin, Jeff, Lori, Jon (Courtney), Kelly (Adam), Kerry, Jenna, Samantha (Jay), Austin (Stephanie), Forest, and Noah; 17 great-grandchildren; her brother, Russell Krause; her niece, Sara (Tim) Cody; and her “sixth son”, Rob (Pam) Hicklin. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.

Doris lived on a small farm with Bill where she enjoyed gardening and raising her boys. Doris worked for many years at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. She loved her hobbies which included: quilting, calligraphy and creating ceramic dolls. Doris most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially loved being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made friends everywhere she went and had fun getting involved in lots of activities.

She will be dearly missed but will live on in our hearts for generations.

A memorial service will be planned in the future to celebrate Doris’ life.

Memorials in Doris’ name may be made to First English Lutheran Church and Heart Prairie Church, 401 W. Main Street, Whitewater WI, 53190, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, 204 N. 10th Street, Watertown WI 53094.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Advocate Aurora Medical and the View at Pine Ridge in Oconomowoc for their wonderful care and support of Doris.

Ralph Ronald Johnson, 91, Whitewater, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021 at his home. 

Ralph was born on November 21, 1929 in Waukegan, IL to Fredrick and Elsie (Olson) Johnson.  He graduated from Waukegan High School and attended Lake Forest College.  Ralph served his country in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954 and received the Korean Service Medal.  On May 23, 1973 he married Elinor Schufletowski in Fond Du Lac, WI.  Ralph worked for AC Delco and for General Electric as an engineer.  He enjoyed riding his bike, golfing and flying out of Crites Field in Waukesha.  He was a member of Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson. 

He is survived by his wife, Elinor of Whitewater; children Cynthia (Roger) Ball, Huntersville, NC, Connie (Jeff) Lamm, Ormond Beach, FL, Thomas (Nikki Ferguson) Johnson, Avondale, AZ, Rebecca (Tom) Krause, Waukesha, WI, Kristen (Tom) McCulloch, Milton, WI; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents. 

A private service will be held at Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church.  As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice.  Online condolences may be made by visiting nitardyfuneralhome.com.   

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. 

Pamela Ann Kane, of Madison, Wis., passed away after living with metastatic breast cancer at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at the age of 67. Pam was born in Fort Atkinson, Wis., on Sept. 22, 1953, the daughter of Doris (nee Roloff) and John F. Kane, who met while both were serving in the U.S. Army. Two months after birth, Pam took her first Trans-Atlantic trip with her mother and older sister to meet up with her father who served with the U.S. Army in Austria. Thus began Pam’s life of travels that would take her throughout the United States and to Taiwan, Germany, China and Italy. Coming from an Army family, Pam proudly wore the badge of “Army brat.”

After graduating from Whitewater High School in 1971, Pam studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1975. She attained the rank of sergeant and served as an MP with the 42nd Military Police Brigade in Italy. After discharge Pam worked as the editor of the San Antonio Citizen News in Texas. She then relocated to the greater D.C. area where Pam worked as the editor for the National Guard Association Magazine. Pam was a company commander in the D.C. National Guard and attained the rank of Captain. In 1991, Pam was called to serve in Desert Storm with the 372nd MP Battalion, 14th MP Brigade. After Desert Storm, she completed her B.A. in Journalism and Political Science at the University of Maryland – College Park. Later in life, Pam relocated back to Wisconsin to be closer to family.

As an Army brat, Pam learned to make friends wherever she was stationed. At the end, she was surrounded by the friends she made throughout her life, especially those from her high school and college days whose lasting friendships meant so much to her. Pam’s cats were especially dear to her. Her friend Girlie kept her good company over the last few months. A staunch Democrat, Pam was thrilled that Joe Biden won the election.

Pam and her family would like to thank the many medical professionals associated with the Veterans Health Administration and University of Wisconsin Health Services who helped her, especially the staff at the Infusion Center and Drs. Albertini, Eskola, Hester, Mushtaq, O’Regan, and Stella. Her family especially wants to thank the dedicated professionals at the VA Hospital Hospice Unit for their kind and caring treatment. Pam was diagnosed with cancer four times and beat it three times. She lived well beyond the average survival time from date of diagnosis for MBC with a great quality of life.

Pam is survived by her sisters, Sharon Kane (David Hutton), Rebecca Perez (Raul Perez) and Kelly Kane (Thomas Mackey); her favorite brother, John C. Kane (Anika Noni); her niece, Alejandra Perez (Kyle Kohl); and her nephew, Luis Perez (Tessa Echeverria). In addition, she is survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Roloff family far too numerous to list but whose love and friendship she enjoyed over the last few years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no service will be held. A graveside interment will be held in the spring at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in her name to Planned Parenthood or another organization that she would support. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Cary Douglas Mickelson, 77, Fort Atkinson, passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek, WI.

Cary was born on November 23, 1943 in Stoughton, WI to Iver and Audrey (Grass) Mickelson. He attended high school in Port Washington, WI. Cary married Lucille Kramer on June 22, 1985 in Whitewater, WI. He was employed by McLay Auto Parts, Stritzel Heating and Cooling and for the last 12 years at Winchester True Value Hardware Store. Cary loved to tinker and work on old cars, hunt and fish and pitch horseshoes.

He is survived by his wife Lucy, Fort Atkinson; daughters Shelly (William) Jones, Greenville, TN, Laura (Todd) Roller, Mukwonago, WI; step-children Randy (Jasmine) Morkved, Arkansas, Valerie (Mike) Merriner, Palmyra, WI, Andrew Morkved, Neenah, WI, Matthew (Amanda) Morkved, Whitewater, WI, Jonathan Morkved, DeForest, WI; sisters Barb (Dave) Jensen, Random Lake, WI, Sherry (Jim) Schuh, Saukville, WI, Elaine Pierre, Adell; brother-in-law Rodney Ardisana, Sheboygan Falls, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-daughters Roxanne Hall and Sonja Isaacson; sister, Patricia Ardisana.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 15, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home 1008 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

East Troy – Maud Lou (nee Colby) Key, 93, of East Troy, WI was called home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 6, 2021.  She passed peacefully at East Troy Manor.  She was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin on November 13, 1927 to Roy and Ruth (nee Billings) Colby.

Maud joined Rainbow in Whitewater and was the treasurer for Madison.  She received a Rainbow locket for not missing a meeting.

After graduating high school and completing two years of college at UW Whitewater, she worked in Milwaukee at AO Smith as a typist for 10 years.

Maud Joined Eastern Star in 1947 and has been a loyal, faithful member ever since.

Maud married Joseph Key in 1957 in Whitewater, WI.  The couple lived life together on the Key Family Farm in East Troy for the next 58 years.  Maud loved raising her chickens and gathering the eggs, you could sometimes even find her talking to the chickens.

Maud was an active member of Saint James United Methodist Church in East Troy for 64 years.  She was a member of the Woman group and served on the finance committee and participated in many other groups and committees over her 64 years.  She often talked about Come-Double Group and how much fun they always had.

Maud will be greatly missed by the countless people she met throughout her life.  Her goal every day was to make at least one person smile.  She loved to meet people and talk, play bingo, especially when she won a prize. She also loved a good party and enjoyed seeing so many friends and catching up at the parties.  When you would ask Maud how she was doing, her answer always was “Kicking.”

Left to cherish her memory: daughter Ruth (Bob) Miller; granddaughter Tera (Nick) Theroux; grandsons David Key, Kevin Key; great grandchildren Natalie and Blake Theroux; sister-in-law Marion Henry; niece Carol (Pat) Dier; nephews Bill (Chris) Henry, Paul (Barb) Henry and many, many friends.

Maud was preceded in death by husband Joseph and son Ray.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 20^th at St. James United Methodist Church (2945 Main St. East Troy) from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 12 NOON.  Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in the Town of Troy.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. James United Methodist Church or East Troy Manor.

SCHMIDT & BARTELT Funeral and Cremation Services, Mukwonago – 262-363-7126
www.schmidtandbartelt.com