Kieth Randall Seward, 86, Whitewater, passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
Kieth was born on August 19, 1933 in Williamsfield, IL to William and Myrtle (Morgan) Seward. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Illinois. On September 3, 1960 he married Elisabeth Therese Ulbert. Kieth worked for Wisconsin Power and Light, Swiss Colony, Avonmore and Bytec. He served in the US Marine Corps. He served the Monroe, WI community as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and United Fund, and as New Glarus Town Chair for 10 years.. Kieth enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years Elisabeth, Whitewater; children Christopher (Carla) Seward, Mary (Michael Ebsen) Trelstad, Beth (Dan) Bowie, Daniel (Cheryl) Seward, Michael (Chauncey Dunn) Seward, Nicholas (Mike Horan) Seward; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister Joyce Hudson. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Elaine, Iolene and Barbara; brother Claire.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater with burial to follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Palmyra, WI. The family would like to thank the staff at Rainbow Hospice for their loving care. As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice or to the Carbone Cancer Center- UW-Wisconsin.
Online condolences may be made through Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, by visiting www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.
Larry was born on March 23, 1958 to George and Beverly (Gumz) Pechous. They moved to Whitewater when he was 3 years old where he grew up on the family farm. Larry spent 40 years working at Weilers/Provisur in Whitewater as a machinist. He always enjoyed his hunting and fishing. Larry also liked riding his Harley and moped through the country.
He is survived by his wife Sherry; mother Beverly; his children Brandon (Molly), Tyler (Katie), Kenzie (Jordan), and Randy; his grandchildren Kaleb, Emma, Bria, Braelynn; brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father George and brother-in-law Steven.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Kenneth Roger Heckert, 87, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2020. Kenneth (Ken or Kenny as those who knew him would refer) was born to Elmer and Althea Heckert in Elkhorn, WI on December 23, 1932. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1951 and played semi-professional football for the Merrill Foxes for a few years and then enlisted in the Air Force. He is survived by his loving wife Janet (Jansen) of 62 years, sons Bret (Kris) of Smyrna, TN, Mark (Karen Phillips) of Elkhorn, WI, and Kevin (Sally) of Whitewater, WI. Aside from being a wonderful father to his sons, Ken was also an amazing Grandpa and Great Grandpa to Justin (Melissa), Kendyl and Kiersten Kreuziger, Logan (Whitney), Maverick, Troy, Emily, Allison, Meredith, Clare and Liam Heckert. Ken will also be survived by another Great Grandchild to be born in October. He is further survived by sisters Shirley Zalewski (Green Bay, WI) and Laura Fleming (South Beloit, IL), sister-in-law Mary (Tyke) Rice (Sun City, AZ) and brother-in-law Don (Darlene) Jansen (Whitewater, WI) and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and brother Russell (Carol) Heckert and a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to everyone. He was best known for his bright smile, funny jokes, old stories and infectious laugh. Ken loved sports, especially football and college basketball. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan.
Ken proudly served
his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He
was an Air Traffic Controller with the AACS Squadron during the
Korean War. His last day of service was December 14, 1955 where he
left Otis Air Force Base, MA. He returned from active duty and met
his beautiful future wife. Ken and Janet were married on October 24,
1957 in Elkhorn where they raised their sons. Ken worked for A.O.
Smith Harvester in Elkhorn and the last few years of his career in
DeKalb, IL. He retired from AO Smith in 1991. In 2018, Ken had the
extreme privilege to be part of the Vets Roll project on a four day
bus trip. They visited numerous locations including the US Air Force
Museum, Korean War Memorial and then to Washington D.C.
When he wasn’t working, Ken enjoyed working on small engines, gardening, fishing, hunting, attending his sons’, grandchildrens’ and great grandchildrens’ many sporting events, school/church activities and the occasional round of golf with his buddies. He loved getting together with friends for breakfasts at Elizabeth’s Café (Delavan WI) and Friday fish fry’s at Tubby’s (Elkhorn WI) or card games at home. Ken could often be found on his homemade lawn roller around town rolling lawns and roto-tilling gardens in the spring. When he wasn’t using it as a lawn roller, Ken and Janet could be found in many local parades with the roller converted into the “Flintmobile” as Fred and Wilma Flintstone. He loved seeing the smiles on faces of people as they rolled down the parade route and hearing his “Yab-ba-dab-a-doo!” Ken was an active member of United Church of Christ (Elkhorn WI) where he faithfully served the Lord as a Church Trustee, maintenance and yard crew member along any other odd jobs. He enjoyed sitting outside in his lawn chair after a long day of work sipping on an ice cold Old Milwaukee, playing ball with his sons’ English Springer Spaniels, petting his Miniature Schnauzers over the years (Cricket, Holly and Lilly) and watching the birds. He enjoyed deer camp in Waupaca with his brother-in-law (Stan Zalewski), sons and nephews. He also enjoyed spending time in Readstown, WI on the back porch of friends Ray and Jeanine Hummel. This was one of his favorite places to have a cocktail or two and take in all of Mother Nature’s “million dollar views.” Ken was always there to help relatives and friends with household projects, fixing yard equipment and many other things. Ken was loved dearly by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Ken’s family would
like to give a special thank you to the staff at Vintage on the Pond
(Delavan WI) who cared dearly for Ken over the last few years and
especially during his final days. They would also like to thank
Pastor Scott McLeod, Dr. Fehling and the Cardiology teams of St.
Luke’s Hospital, Lakeland Hospital and Aurora Healthcare. He passed
away knowing he was loved by many. Also, the family would like to
extend their sincerest gratitude to Haase Lockwood Funeral Home and
Crematory for being very accommodating and understanding during this
difficult time. A Celebration of Life and Burial with military honors
will be held at a later date due to the Safer at Home orders.
Memorials can be made in Ken’s name to the Vets Roll project. Donations can be made online at www.vetsroll.org or via mail to: Vetsroll.org, c/o Finnegans’ RV, 1777 Gardner Street, South Beloit, IL 61080.
David Arthur McComb, 63, Whitewater, lost his life in an accident while doing what he loved; working on the farm while listening to music on his headphones.
David was born on October 2, 1956 in
Pittsburgh, PA to Arthur and Vera (Lynd) McComb. He served his
country in the United States Coast Guard and later received his
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Penn State University.
David married Barbara Jane Arnold on April 28, 1984 in Bethlehem,
PA. He and Barb moved to Whitewater in 1988 to live on the Lynd
family farm. David worked for Associated Spring Company in Milwaukee
for 23 years. Of the many projects he was involved in, the making of
springs for the Mars rover and the Webb Space Telescope were the
most notable. He and Barb owned and operated Amramp of SE Wisconsin
since 2016. David enjoyed running Amramp and helping others to
maintain their independence. He is remembered by his family for his
strong family values, smile, love of laughter and his quiet manner.
He was a wonderful example of father and husband to all the men in
the family.
He is survived by his wife of 36
years, Barb, Whitewater; children Tom McComb, Whitewater, Libby
McComb, Elkhorn; Brothers Donald McComb, Whitewater, Scott (Cathy)
McComb, Chugiak, Alaska, Jay (Kim) McComb, Hendersonville, TN, Mark
(Autumn) McComb, Whitewater; special friends Ken and Karen Foye
(Portsmouth, NH), Ken Latzko and Louise Rheem (Carmel,NY); 21 nieces
and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private graveside service with
military honors will be held at Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater. A
celebration of David’s life will be held on the family farm later
in the fall. The family would like to thank the Walworth County
Sheriff’s Department and the City of Whitewater Rescue Squad for
their service.
He will be missed!
Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is
assisting the family.
Carol A. Ott, 66, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Friday, March 20, 2020 at her home. Carol was born on March 6, 1954 to the late Eugene and Dorothy (Pollock) Robbins. She was a 1972 graduate of Whitewater High School and then attended Blackhawk Technical College and received an Associate’s Degree in Food Science. On December 2, 1972 in Fort Atkinson, WI, Carol married Roger Ott. She worked for many years in Jefferson at the Tyson Food Plant. She also worked in the Purina Plant and most recently at Nasco. Carol loved to go deer hunting, garden, ride motorcycles, sew and was a classic car enthusiast.
Carol is survived by her loving husband, Roger Ott, son: Levi (Sarah) Ott and their son, Vallyn; brothers: Eugene and Dale Robbins; sister: Kathy Knaack; 2 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, 5 nieces, 5 nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a niece, Christine Robbins.
A private family burial will take place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton are assisting the family with arrangements.
Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton
Wallace Merle Robeson died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday March 21, 2020, at Fairhaven Retirement Community in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Wallace, known as Wally to all, was the only child of Paul D. and Mary (Doubleday) Robeson, born on November 24, 1930 at home in Bradford Township, Rock County, Wisconsin.
Wally studied in one-room country schools and graduated from Clinton High School in the class of 1948. He attended Milton College for three semesters and after completing the requirements for a Bachelor of Education degree in Secondary Science Education, Wally graduated from Wisconsin State College in 1952. He served as a student pastor of the Methodist churches in Jasper and Trosky, Minnesota for one school year.
In August, 1953, Wally and twenty other collogues sailed for Turkey. Wally’s assignment was to Tarsus American College (TAC), a secondary boarding school for boys in Tarsus, Turkey, the hometown of St. Paul, the apostle. Wally taught classes in health, general math, chemistry, biology, bookkeeping, and was school treasurer during his three years there.
Wally met Ruth C. Sowter at an annual meeting between board schools in Istanbul, Turkey. After a short courtship by letter, they married on June 13, 1955 in Izmir, Turkey. In 1956, Wally and Ruth returned to the United States where Wally enrolled in the Graduate School of Theology at Oberlin College in Ohio. Ruth worked in her librarian profession while earning her PHT (Putting Hubby Through). Wally was awarded his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1960.
The couple were given career appointments to the Near East Mission by the United Church Board for World Ministries and returned to Turkey in August 1960. From 1960 to 1965 they lived in Izmir where Wally was the business manager of the school. In December, 1961 they welcomed to the world their one and only daughter who was the light of their lives. From 1965 to 1966, Wally was the principal of a boarding middle school in Talas, a small town in central Anatolia. Much to his dismay, he was forced to close the school in 1966 due to a lack of funds. For the next year, the family lived in Madison, Wisconsin where Wally earned his Masters of Administration in Secondary Education.
Wally spent the majority of his career as the principal of TAC from 1967 to 1988. He touched the lives of many through his years of service. He taught his students the importance of being individuals and worked hard to raise independent thinkers. Many of Wally’s students went on to become prominent businessmen, doctors, CEO’s, and politicians in Turkey. Wally and Ruth opened their home to international teachers to make them feel at home and were like parents to the students whose families were far away. Wally and Ruth retired to Fairhaven Retirement Community in 1996.
Wally is survived by his daughter, Mary Heather (Dogan Satir); three granddaughters: Ayse Celik (Ural Celik), Zeynep Goktepe, and Ipek Goktepe; Troy Marinkovic who was like a grandson; and his pride and joy Aria Celik, his beloved great granddaughter; he is also survived by many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Ruth. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Barbara Anne Roth Hill, 85, was called to Heaven and died peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2020. After battling kidney disease for many years, Barb is finally at rest. She was a loving wife for 64 years to Charlie “Chas” Hill, wonderful mother to Steve and Lori Hill, Sheryl and Keith Brunette, and Sarah and Bob Geisthardt, devoted “Grandma” to Stephen, Matty and Coley, Nick and Kena, Jackie and Jereme, Jon and Ally, Mikey and Hope, Steph, and Anna, and loving ‘Grandma Grandma’ to Max, Maya, Brody, Emi, Liam, Eva, Allie, Ryan, Charlie, Tommy, Madeline, Henry and Calvin.
Besides husband Charlie, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Barbara is survived by brother Charlie Roth and Anna, and sisters-in-law Margaret ‘Peggy’ Simons and Karen Lee as well as beloved and special nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Silas Martin Roth and Sarah Eleanor Moore Roth; mother-in-law and father-in-law Mildred and Neal Hill; brothers Martin and wife Ardis, John and wife Bonita, Sam and wife Romelle, and Paul A. Roth; sister Rosemary Hadrath and husband Sterling “Bud” Hadrath; sister-in law Dorothy Frutiger and husband Richard Frutiger; and brother-in-law Richard Simons.
Barbara was born in Mauston on June 3, 1934, where she attended and graduated from Mauston High School. Upon graduation, Barbara went to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she earned her degree in education and later her master’s in special education. Barb was a dedicated Warhawk! Barb taught in the Edgerton, Mauston, Whitewater and Waukesha school districts and was a dedicated teacher for many years before retiring. She was also an active member of the Whitewater Jaycettes and was even elected state president of the Wisconsin Jaycettes.
Barb loved entertaining guests and family with delicious meals and activities such as the yearly game dinner and annual Easter egg hunt. Later, nearing retirement, Barb and Charlie bought, remodeled and rebuilt a lovely cottage on Wheeler Lake in Lakewood, Wisconsin. They made sure there was plenty of room for their ever-growing family, since the family was at the center of Barbara and Charlie’s lives. Upon retirement, Barb and Charlie traveled the 3 1/2 hours to Lakewood countless weekends as well as attending family sporting events and various family activities in between.
“Grandma Grandma” put family first and was happiest when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were around!
She was the organizer and the center of many, many family gatherings and events through the years. She was the glue in our family and will be greatly missed.
Our family would like to thank DaVita Dialysis Center in Waukesha, Brookfield Rehabilitation Center and Summit Woods Senior Housing for their kind and loving care of Barbara. A celebration of Barbara’s life will take place at a later date, yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barb’s memory are appreciated to the family to be designated to a charity at a later time.
Alan Joseph Kromholz, age 81, of Sebring, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2020. Al was born on May 15, 1938 in Merrill, Wisconsin to Joseph and Dolores (Close) Kromholz. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son Joseph (Marjorie Stoneman) Kromholz, Whitewater, Wisconsin; his son John (Edsel) Kromholz, Sebring, Florida; his grandchildren Morgan (Bryce) Copperfield, Nicole Munoz, David Kromholz and Lucas Kromholz; his sister Diane (Wayne) Bennett; and his brother Steve (Barb) Kromholz. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joanne.
Alan
graduated from Elmhurst College in 1960 with a B.A. in Philosophy.
In 1964 he graduated from Eden Theological Seminary with a B.D. and
in 1979 was awarded an MDiv. He attended the University of
Wisconsin-Madison in 1966-7, working on advanced graduate studies in
Rural Community Development in the School of Agriculture. He was
ordained in June 1964 at St. Stephens United Church of Christ,
Merrill, WI.
He
served the United Church of Christ as a Pastor in Evansville, WI and
Watertown, WI. He served as Minister to the Business Community at
Frieden’s UCC, Milwaukee, and served as interim pastor at Spring
Lake Presbyterian Church, Spring Lake, Florida. His career in the
ministry came to a dramatic climax in May 1968 when he was removed
from the Congregational UCC in Watertown for being too socially and
politically active. His ministry at Watertown was detailed in the
1972 book, “Crisis in Watertown: The Polarization of an American
Community.” He continued to be involved in Civil Rights working as
a voter registration worker in Mississippi and in the development of
open housing in Wisconsin.
Much
of his professional life was in the waste industry. He was Director
of Sales Development, North America Waste Management, Inc.; V.P.
Sales, ARS Waste Management Partners; and V.P. of Sales, North
America United Waste. He would simply say proudly that he was a
“garbage man.”
Al
married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Meyer of Chicago, Illinois in
1960. In 2000 they funded the Meyer-Kromholz Endowed Scholarship
which is awarded annually by Elmhurst College. In 2012 they
established and funded the Arnold Kromholz Silver ‘M’ Endowed
Scholarship at Merrill High School in Wisconsin. They have strongly
supported education as they believe education opens the door to
success in life.
Al
deeply loved his family. He was also passionate about helping others
and social justice. He spent hours fishing with his grandchildren,
and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
In
2016, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Al spoke to students
from the Whitewater Middle School and Whitewater High School about
his work during the civil rights movement. Here is an excerpt from
his speech:
“When you are an eye-witness to history you have a different understanding of the event. You discover that your senses are heightened. You understand in a unique way how the people involved in the event feel. The difficulty of that moment becomes highlighted. You become very focused and the issue of the moment touches you. When I see film clips on TV today of the struggle for racial justice or read about voter registration drives or seeking fair housing for people I feel very deeply what is happening. You see I was an eye witness to the struggle for racial justice and seeking to help register black voters in the South who were being denied their constitutional
right to vote…”
He then shared his experiences with the students. As the Middle School Principal at the time said, “He spoke beautifully and brought life to something our students may have never experienced or even seen on the TV.”
His
speech ended like this, “Can I leave you with this? I went South
because I believed as did my wife that you must be involved in living
a life dedicated to justice, to love, and to walking humbly with your
fellowman. These were things I learned in school when I was your age.
I learned this because teachers like your teachers challenged me to
question, to read and search both sides of a question or issue,
helped me to understand the danger of propaganda and listening to
only one source of information. They not only taught me history but
challenged me to understand history. Remember what George Santayana
said, ‘If we fail to understand history we are bound to repeat
it’.”
Jeffrey D. Krebs, 50, Waukesha, passed away at his home on March 16, 2020. Jeff was born on December 24, 1969 in Fort Atkinson, WI to Donald E. and Geraldine (Snyder) Krebs. He is survived by his sisters Nancy Stoughton, Waukesha, WI, Kathy (Russ) Carroll, Milton ,WI, Mary (Ken) Simmons, Milton, WI; brother Gary Krebs, Delavan, WI.
“You dived into the oceans. You climbed the high mountains. I know you are still out there. You finally made it to the stars. You said you were “awesome”, and that was “precisely” right. That will always be with us. Now a part of our hearts. I want to say we love you and miss you little brother. Until we meet again. This was sent with warm feelings from your family and friends.
No services will be held at this time.
Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.
Mary Ellen Pope, a long-time resident of Whitewater, Wisconsin, lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the age of 91, at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care in Janesville, Wisconsin. Born to August and Helen (Wellnitz) Frei on March 8, 1929, in Chewelah, Washington, she was the fifth of eight children. When she was a toddler, the family packed up everything they could fit in their 1927 Chevy sedan and traveled back to Wisconsin during the Great Depression. She attended Finch School in La Prairie, a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, and even though she was bothered by her lack of a high school diploma; it never stopped her from going for something she set her heart on achieving. While working on the family farm with her parents and siblings, she learned a strong work ethic, which showed when she was named the Chicken Plucking Champion at the Rock County Fair as a teenager. Mary Ellen was a fun-loving girl who loved to dance and it was at a barn dance she met Charles Donald Pope and fell for him and his motorcycle. In 1950 they married in Janesville at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and in 1965 they moved their family to Whitewater. Each time Mary Ellen had one of their nine children, she was back in the barn, with the baby in a stroller, helping milk cows and finish chores. After Donald’s death in 1967, Mary Ellen ignored popular opinion about a woman in business and continued to run the farming operation with her sons. In 1971, Mary Ellen married Robert James McCulloch at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and in 1972 they had a daughter, Yvonne. Even though the marriage ended in divorce, they remained great friends until his passing in 1985. Mary Ellen was a very active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater and through the 55 years she attended she served as a Parish Council Member, Parish Trustee, Acolyte, and on the Christian Women’s Altar Society. One thing was always clear that St Patrick was a second home to Mary Ellen.
Mary Ellen will be missed by her children: Charles (Linda), Michael (Karen), Kevin (Nancy), Virgil (Sandra),Craig (Cathleen), Anne (Brian) Morgan, Serena (Lance) Elliott, Donald (Sally) and Yvonne (Scott) Fanshaw; daughters in law: Betty, Kathy, and Lisa; as well as her grandchildren: Carrie (Jason) Mathison, Christopher (Jill) Pope, Nathan (Carrie) Pope, Abigail Zinzow, Charles J.(Liz) Pope, Michael A. Pope, Olivia (Chris) Hale, August Pope, Ryan Pope, Anson (Sara) Pope, Wade (Shalanna) Pope, Shane (Rebecca) Pope, Angie Pope, Rebecca (Paul) Morris, Sarah Pope, Virgil S.(Marissa) Pope, Elyssa Pope, Emma Pope, Audrey Pope, Jonathan Pope, Helena Pope, Ashlee (Jacob) Prochnow, Torrin (Angela) Thatcher, Madeleine (Craig) Spangler, Carli Pope, Peyton Pope, Savannah Pope, Gabriel Pope, Jenna Pope, Kenley Pope, Grace Fanshaw, and Sophia Fanshaw; 24 great grandchildren; her sister, Linae Frei; sisters in law: Agnes Frei, Shirley Thompson, and Darlene Pozin; plus many beloved nieces and nephews and close friends. She will be greeted in heaven by her sons, Mark and Paul; son in law, Thomas K. Thatcher; daughter in law, Sonja Isaacsen; grandchildren-in-law, Jason Zinzow and Teresa Pope; her parents; and siblings: Cecelia Sowles, Joseph Frei, Leo Frei, Marguerite Frei, Cletus Frei, and Patricia Clark.
Through all the hard times and tragedies in her life, Mary Ellen’s faith in God and Jesus sustained her and held her up. Her strength is an inspiration to everyone who knew her and she will be greatly missed. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic a private burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery. A Mass of Christian Burial and a Celebration of Life will be held at later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family with arrangements. Donations in Mary Ellen’s name can be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care, Janesville. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
The family would like to thank Dr. Natalie Callender, Michelle Lackner, and the team for Multiple Myeloma at the UW Carbone Cancer Center for giving us two years longer with Mom. A grateful thank you to Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care in Janesville for their caring and kindness through the loss of mom and helping her make a dignified passing to Heaven.
