Life Events

Mr. Al Brandenburg of Fort Atkinson died on November 10, 2020 after a brief illness.

Al was born in Eau Galle, WI on February 10, 1918, the son of William and Elsie (Buchholtz) Brandenburg. He attended the Mayville High School and later resided in Watertown, WI until his marriage to Elaine Wittmann on February 8, 1947 in Fort Atkinson.

He was employed as a paint line supervisor at Thomas Industries in Fort Atkinson for 22 years and Amron Corporation in Waukesha until his retirement in 1982.

Al loved hunting, fishing and sports in general. In fact, he was on stand for gun deer season at age 101. He never missed attending a sporting event where his children or grandchildren were involved. After his retirement he restored Ford Mustangs with his son and stayed active with his family. He began walking at age 90 and walked every day either at the hospital or on the local roads until he was over 100 years old. He and Elaine loved watching the grandchildren and helping wherever and whenever they could.

Al was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.

Al is survived by a son, Jeff (Maureen) Brandenburg; grandchildren, Jason (Raena) Debereiner, Brianne Brandenburg and Jared (Hayley) Brandenburg and great granddaughters, Autumn Dorr, Elaina Debereiner and Audrey Brandenburg. He had one great-great grandson Callum Gladney.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; daughter, Diane Debereiner; son, Donald and a grandson, Sean Debereiner, along with many other relatives and friends.

In his 102 years he lived through the Depression, Prohibition, several wars including two world wars, the moon landing, and many other events that some can only read about in books. He was always happy and thankful for the blessings that God gave to him and his family and appreciated all of the kindness people showed to him especially in his later years. He would often remark that he could not believe how nice people were to him and how God had blessed him. If you were one of those people…. thank you for the kindness you showed.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the church until time of service. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.

The family appreciates the staff at Fairhaven and Rainbow Hospice for all their help and care these last several months. If inclined, in lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, please consider a donation to Rainbow Hospice or St. Paul’s Lutheran School.

The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

William “Bill” F. Schulte, 82, of Whitewater passed away on November 11, 2020 at his home.

Bill was born on November 15, 1937 in Milwaukee to Vernon and Mary (Hanrahan) Schulte. He graduated from Waukesha Catholic Memorial High School. On February 13, 1960 Bill married Judith Neverman in Waukesha and together they had five children. Bill ran the Clark Station in Whitewater for many years and then worked for Weiler and Company as a machinist and later as a sales rep.

He enjoyed fishing, golfing, spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, and loved watching Wisconsin sports.

Bill was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, Cub Scout Pack Leader of 102, and was on Whitewater City Council for many years and also served as president. He was also a longtime member of the Whitewater Country Club.

Bill is survived by his children, Richard (Nancy Olson) Schulte of Janesville, John Schulte of Edgerton, Ann (Edward) Parker of Whitewater, Patrick (Tracy) Schulte of Janesville, James (Brynn) Schulte of Madison; grandchildren, Nate Schulte, Ben Schulte, Bryant Schulte, Anatoly Parker, Alexandra Parker, Lindsey (Paul) Taylor, Zachary (Trisha) Schulte, Anyssa (Carl) Cure, Olivia Schulte; 8 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Eva (Richard) Johnson; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by parents; wife, Judy; sister, Mary (Carl) Barner; and two infant grandchildren, Marcus and Jeremy.

The services are private to the family.

In Bill’s honor, donations can be made to Shriner’s Children Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

In the early hours of Sunday morning November 8th, 2020 Marlene Violet Molisee passed away while sleeping in her Whitewater home due to complications of the cancer she had suffered with for more than the last few years.  She was born in Duluth, Minnesota on June 12th, 1947 to Peter and Violet Trader.

  In spite of her illness she had a natural strength and desire to survive that kept her fighting until the very last breath so that she could spend every single second available to her in the presence of those that she had loved so much in life.  She would often be brutally honest when you asked for her opinion but was always kind enough to listen to yours.  When she told you that she believed in you, you’d actually believe it.  Everyone she met would often remark on how amazing she truly was.

  She took great pride in once having been the manager of a string of Sheraton Hotels that would provide her with an endless supply of interesting stories from her travels across the world.  Later in life she would dedicate herself to raising her children and found passion in her hobbies.  Her love of crafts was shown through great talent and patience to create them.  Her love of animals displayed through her devotion to her horses, dogs and cats and even those in the wild that others might consider a nuisance, she would feed and love unconditionally.  Her faith was shown by the way she believed in others and supported their hopes and dreams.  She would later pursue her own as she wrote her first book “The Haunting of a Widow” and took great joy in her book signing events and storytelling sessions.  Her willingness to appreciate the absolute beauty of nature was like no others. 

  She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald  W. Molisee Sr.  Her parents, Violet and Peter Trader.  Her brothers and sisters Gerry, Ronnie, Barbara and Kathy.  She is survived by her children Donald Molisee Jr and Raven (Molisee) Berg, by her brother Peter Trader as well as the great many nieces and nephews whom she loved so very dearly.  She also survives in the thoughts and hearts of the friends who filled her life with fantastic memories. 

  There is also special thanks deserved to James Hoeffert and Diana Schroedl who were in her company in those final moments.  They have helped in so many ways to increase the quality of her life that she would without question wish for them to be acknowledged.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, WI.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI, is assisting the family, online condolences may be given to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

William “Bill” L. Cushman, 96, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 at Fairhaven in Whitewater.

Bill was born on June 23, 1924 to Cyrus Leland and Flora (Zuill) Cushman in Whitewater. His early school days happened about 200 yards up the road from his home in a one room schoolhouse. The stories of snapping turtles put in the teacher’s desk, pine cones on her seat, and lizards in the water bucket were just a few stories he loved to share. Of course he never admitted to being the instigator in any of those, but we knew he was. Bill graduated from Whitewater High School (City High-Class of 1941). He did not have to walk the 8.5 miles uphill both ways, but he did have to find creative ways to get to Whitewater. Stories of hitch hiking, walking, and one time even ice skating after an ice storm to school have been told, changed, and tweaked over the years. After graduating from Whitewater, he attended UW-Madison to study Chemical Engineering. One of things he was most proud of was making the prestigious UW­ Madison boxing team. When WWII began, he left college to run the family farm with his parents.

Bill was an extremely proud, 5th generation farmer. His homestead is the first framed house (1840’s) in Jefferson County and it was originally used as a half-way house between Janesville or Madison to Milwaukee. He regaled anyone who was interested with stories of what he thought might have happened up in that ballroom on the second floor.

He has been a member of the St. John’s #57 Masonic Lodge for the last 72 years and has served as the Worshipful Master twice. He was also a member of the Shriners since 1989. There are countless stories from his years as a Mason and fortunately for Bill, his brothers are sworn to secrecy.

Bill is survived by his son Lee (Shannon) Cushman, Whitewater, grandsons James (Milwaukee), Thomas (Whitewater), David (Whitewater) as well as his sister-in-law Dawn Weckler (Ft. Atkinson) and cousin Jean Rosewall (Oregon)

Preceding him in death are his wife, Joanne (Weckler) Cushman, parents Cyrus Leland and Flora, and infant brother Kenneth.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 from10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. The family asks that masks be worn during the visitation to follow Covid guidelines. Burial with a Masonic Service will follow at the Cushman Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, we all know how tight Bill was with his money, so we would prefer that you save it. If you must, buy a drink, raise a toast to a life well­ lived, and share a good story full of half-truths and embellishments just like Bill would have done.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Marcelaine Jeanette “Marcey” Clark, 92, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 8:01 a.m., Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 while in the company of family members at McPherson Hospital .

Marcelaine was born in Dousman, Wisconsin on May 4, 1928, a daughter of Lucille A. (Zick) and Walter F. Miller.

Marcey attended Dousman Elementary School, Dousman, Wisconsin, and graduated from Hartland High School, Hartland, Wisconsin in 1946.  She then attended Whitewater Teachers College, Whitewater, Wisconsin.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church in McPherson and was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Kenosha, WI

Marcey was a homemaker and she took great pride in providing for her family in this Manner.  She then became a Special Education Teacher having taught in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.

Marcey was a member of the Wisconsin Teachers Association.

Marcey enjoyed her job as a teacher, traveling, was a veracious reader, knitting clothes and sweaters, mittens, for her family, and spending time with her family and friends.

Marcelaine J. Miller was united in marriage to Merlin Ralph Clark on May 15, 1948 at Whitewater, Wisconsin. The young couple established their first home together in Whitewater. This union was blessed with the birth of five children born to this union, Constance, Sally, Martin, Gwen and Janis.   

She is survived by her children, Sally Thigpen and her husband John, of Franklinton, Louisiana, Martin Clark and his wife Rita, of Gilbert, Arizona, Gwen Gately and her husband Bill, of Windom, Kansas and Janis  Beliunas and her husband Harry, of Burlington, Wisconsin; her brother Edwin Miller and his wife Annette, of Hartland, Wisconsin.

She is also survived by 11 grandchildren – James Thigpen(Karen), David Thigpen, Michael Clark(Carry), Beth Ramsey(Joe), Cheryl Schroeder, Rachel Sain, Karen Jonas,(Jeremy), Wendy Allan, Scott Allan, Mitch Allan, and Philip Hawes and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Merlin; brother LeRoy Miller; daughter Constance Vlasak.

Private family burial will be at a later date.

Memorials are to the Cedars and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson, Ks. 67460.

Milton, WI

Donald Henry Tomten, age 89 passed away Sunday, November 1, 2020 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Janesville, WI.  Donald was born on March 19, 1931 to Gilbert and Selma (Bekkum) Tomten in Westby, Wisconsin.

He graduated from Westby High School in 1949.  He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving  in the Navy from 1949 to 1954.  He was an Aviation Electrician Airman stationed in the South Pacific where he worked on the returning aircraft. He was a member of the Janesville VFW Club. He married Margaret Genevieve Warner on July 14, 1956, later he married Gloria Davis in September 1982.  Donald worked as an auto carrier for JATCO in Janesville, WI before retiring in 1991, after 33 years.  

Donald enjoyed bowling and playing card games such as Cribbage, 500, Hearts, and Rummy.  He was a big fan of the Packers, Brewers and the Milwaukee Bucks.  In High School he excelled in football as an offensive guard, in which he lettered.  He grew up on the family dairy farm in the Timber Coulee area and was very proud of his Norwegian heritage. He grew up as a Norwegian-speaking American who didn’t start learning the English language until he attended Kindergarten. Music was a very prominent part of his personal and family life, where he played the fiddle, and was gifted to play by ear.  His children remember very fondly the family gatherings where his brother, and he, would play music until late at night.  

Donald  is survived by his children; Robert (Kona) Tomten (Viroqua,WI), Deborah (Alan) Gillespie (Whitewater,WI), Richard (Becky) Tomten (Milton, WI), step-children, Suzette (Dave) Goodin, Ted (Kim) Davis, Doug (Lori) Davis, brother Sherman Tomten, nine grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, his wives Margaret (Genny) and Gloria, his daughter Cynthia Benner, siblings Annibelle Tomten, Blaine Tomten and Anton Tomten and a grandson, Timothy Lauer.

Public Graveside Services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Friday November 6, at 11:30 am with Military Honors and Father David Wanish officiating. The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family.

Phillip E. Huebner, 73, of Whitewater, WI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at his home.

Phil was born on October 30, 1947 in Waukesha, WI the son of Robert and Lorraine (Kipp) Huebner. He grew up in the Waukesha area and graduated from Waukesha South High School. After high school, he enlisted and faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. On December 11, 1984, Phil was united in marriage to Donna Schmidt in Waukesha and the two enjoyed 22 years of marriage together until her unexpected passing in 2006. God blessed Phil with 3 loving children, Nicole, Phillip, and Joshua. First and foremost in Phil’s life was his family. He was a great husband and father and loved his children and grandchildren dearly. For leisure, Phil’s favorite thing to do was read the newspaper, specifically, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He would read the paper every day and was always current on the news of the day. In addition to reading the paper, he enjoyed reading novels about the old west. He was an avid sports fan and could fill you in on the Brewers, Bucks, or Packer game if you missed it. Phil enjoyed listening to music and was a fan of Frank Sinatra and also classic Country Music. Phil will be missed, but his memory will live on in those he leaves behind.

He is survived by: his 3 loving children, Nicole Hildebrandt of Milwaukee, WI, Phillip Huebner of Fort Atkinson, WI, and Joshua (Emily) Huebner of Whitewater, WI; his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Mackenzie, Quinn, Hadley and Harlow; and his siblings, Dennis (Gerda), Michael, Mary Ellen, Richard (Sharon), and David (Sharlene). He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife, Donna, and his siblings, James, Thomas, William and Howard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Phil’s family would be appreciated.

A Funeral Service to honor Phil’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI (320 W. Main St. Palmyra, WI 53156). Rev. Duane Goetsch will officiate the service. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Phillip will be laid to rest next to his wife in Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra, WI immediately following the service.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra & Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Vivian “Marie” Luebke, 84, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Marie was born on April 15, 1936 in Shellsburg, Wisconsin to Donald and Margaret Thomas. On September 14, 1960 Marie married Ron Luebke and together they had five children. She worked as a telephone operator in Benton, Wisconsin. Later, Marie worked as a nurse for over 40 years at Fort Health Care Center.

She loved going to craft shows and doing crafts with Ron, plus playing Bingo and crocheting.

Marie is survived by her husband, Ron Luebke; children, Ron Thomas of Fort Atkinson, Rhonda Berge of Deerfield, Kay (Bryce) Knox of Fort Atkinson, Mike Luebke of Jacksonville, NC, Jane Luebke of Fort Atkinson; grandchildren, Rachel Luebke, Matt (Danni) Luebke, Andy (Katy) Berge, Ashley Berge, Kyle (Cassie Fibish) Knox, Meredith Harrison; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy Thomas; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Margaret Thomas; Brother, Joe Thomas; three granddaughters, Jenny Knox, Anna Berge, Clare Harrison; daughters-in-law, Janet Thomas and Sue Luebke.

Funeral Services will be private to the family.

A donation in Marie’s name can be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Fort Atkinson Health Care Center for taking good care of Marie. She loved to visit with her old coworkers. Also, special thanks to St. Mary’s Hospital and staff for their exceptional care.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Marie will be greatly missed.

Earl J. Johnson, 79, of Whitewater passed away on October 15, 2020 at Fairhaven in Whitewater.

Earl was born on March 11, 1941 in Whitewater to John and Helen (Madsen) Johnson. After graduating from Whitewater High School, Earl enlisted in the United States Army at 17 in 1957 and served until 1960. While in the Army, he received commendations for rifle and pistols and served time on the border of Germany. Afterward, Earl married Sandra Anderson on December 23^rd at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater. For many years, Earl owned and operated Tri-County Pump, a business he was incredibly proud of.

He enjoyed horses immensely and working with the 4-H horse program in Jefferson County was one of his passions. He was also a true outdoorsman that loved hunting and fishing and a loving grandpa that looked forward to spending time with his grandkids.

Earl is survived by his wife, Sandra Johnson; children, Tamila (Bill) Johnson-White, Valarie (Al McKenna) Johnson, Delaina Johnson, Melissa (Bradford) Zipse. He is also survived by his sister Robin Johnson-Sagen.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Johnson and Helen (Arthur) Sellnow Sr., Arthur Sellnow Jr. William Sellnow, and Rodney Johnson.

At this time no services will take place.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Earl’s name can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Fairhaven for their exceptional care.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

John “Jack” W. Bray, 86, of Madison entered Eternal life on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at St. Mary’s Care Center in Madison.

Jack was born on September 25, 1934 in Madison to Wallace and Clara (Larson) Bray. Immediately after graduating from Whitewater State Teachers College High School in 1952 he enlisted in the regular Army. He became a member of the 82^nd Airborne, then the 187^th Regimental Combat Team during the Korean Conflict. He jumped over 24 times and received several commendations including the Combat Infantry Badge.

Following his military service he attended the UW-Madison where he earned several degrees: B.S. Applied Math and Engineering Physics (1962), B.S. Electrical Engineering (1967), and MAJ Chemistry (1990). He was employed as an engineer with Univac Sperry Rand, served aboard the U.S. Geophysical Polar Center ship and worked for the UW – Madison, retiring as a chemist from the Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory.

Jack was a quiet caring person with a witty sense of humor. He especially loved celebrating holidays with family and friends, and was always giving unique items which he selected for each person, then photographing the recipient’s surprise look. He enjoyed animals and birds, especially his beloved cockatiel Sassy.

He was an avid reader, researching a myriad of ideas or theories in science, history, and had never-ending questions about various newsworthy items.

Jack is survived by his siblings Colleen Reddy (Whitewater) and Tom (“T.E.”) Bray (Milwaukee). He was Uncle to Mary Walker, Tom Bray, Sue Siebert, Steve Bray, Julie D’Agostini, Lynn Dickinson and Nancy Epling, and cousins Martin, Gerry, Donald, Ronald Larson and Mavis Dillehay. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace E. Bray, MD and Clara Bray Reddy, RN.

A graveside service with military honors will take place at 11:00 a.m. on October 26, 2020 at the Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers donations are appreciated  to: Clara Bray Reddy Scholarship Fund (Nursing), c/o Pam Sonmor-Wintz, Whitewater High School, 534 S. Elizabeth St., Whitewater, WI, 53190; OR Madison VA Hospital Hospice Unit, Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Attn: Community Relations 135, 2500 Overland Terrace, Madison, WI, 53705, {check to Madison VA Hospital; memo CLC Hospice Unit: Memory of Jack Bray}