News

#FlashbackFriday with the Historical Society: Whitewater Lake

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s view is a great aerial photograph of Whitewater Lake. Whitewater Lake provides recreational opportunities for many and is in the Kettle Moraine State Park. It was created after World War II by flooding the area and combining smaller lakes.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3749PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

Obituary: Marvel M. Rowley, 91, of Fort Atkinson

Marvel M. Rowley, 91, of Fort Atkinson, died on June 19, 2023, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Marvel was born on July 8, 1931, in Rhinelander, WI, the daughter of Elmer and Hazel (Cole) Miles. She graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1949 and then went to nursing school at St. Charles Hospital School of Nursing in Aurora, Illinois, graduating September 6, 1952. She was a nurse in Chicago prior to her marriage. On February 10, 1962, she married Richard (Dick) Rowley in Whitewater, WI and they raised their three children: Ric, Sue, and Carol on Dick’s family farm in Lima Township. In 1977 they moved to Fort Atkinson and Marvel returned to working as an RN at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital until she retired in 1995.

Dick and Marvel were founding members of the Community of Christ the Servant Church in Whitewater, WI.  The first service was held by the pond on their farm.  

After Dick’s death in 1999, Marvel traveled the world with her dear friend Polly Schull. The only continent that they did not visit was Antarctica. She surprised her family when she gave tandem skydiving a “whirl” while in her seventies. 

Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her five grandchildren and, recently, her great-granddaughter Dorothy Marvel.  She made each one a special quilt and even created quilts for their future children.  

She rarely missed a school concert or sporting event. She also volunteered at the Jefferson County Humane Society and Dwight Foster Library in Fort Atkinson. 

Marvel is survived by her children, Ric (Kelli) Rowley and Sue (Mark) Johnson. Five grandchildren Jillian (Zack Pick) Rowley, Ian (Caroline) Rowley, Devon Rowley, Alex (fiancé Erika Spence) Johnson, and Faith Johnson; and great-granddaughter Dorothy Marvel Rowley-Pick. 

She is further survived by her dear nephews Ken (Pam) Simes and Keith (Karalyn) Simes, along with their families. She will be missed by her dear friends and neighbors Becky and Dwayne Johnson and Kathi and Carl Baio.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick Rowley, daughter Carol Jean Rowley, sisters Elva Marie Miles and Mardella (Dale) Simes, and her beloved dog Tasha.

A celebration of Marvel’s life will be held on her birthday, Saturday, July 8th, 2023, from 11 a,m, to 2 p.m. at the Fort Atkinson Club, 211 S Water St E, Fort Atkinson, WI. There will be a Final Call to Duty Tribute by the Wisconsin Nurses Honor Guard at 1 p.m. followed by remarks from Pastor Mike Obinger of Community of Christ the Servant Church.

In lieu of flowers, Marvel’s family has requested that memorials be directed to the Jefferson County Humane Society or Rainbow Hospice.

The family would like to thank the staff at Milton Senior Living and Rainbow Hospice for the kind and compassionate care given to Marvel in her final months of life. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Margaret “Maggie” C. Gonzalez, 53, of Janesville

Margaret “Maggie” C. Gonzalez, 53, of Janesville passed away Friday, June 16, 2023 at Mercy Hospital.

Maggie was born on September 10, 1969 in Fort Atkinson, daughter of the late Antonio and Margaret (Bienfang) Gonzalez.

Maggie is survived by her son, Daniel of Janesville; ex husband, Mike Moreland of Fort Atkinson; aunt, Mary Rodriguez of Whitewater and many cousins. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Michael Gonzalez.

A celebration of Maggie’s life will be held at a later date.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

Mindful Mondays Book Club at the Library

MINDFUL MONDAYS BOOK CLUB AT THE LIBRARY 

Community members are invited to the next meeting of the Mindful Mondays Book Club on June 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. Mindful Mondays is a book club for conscious living led by Lori Frison and Denise Maple. The group meets every 4th Monday of the month for a book discussion and mindfulness practice. This month’s book is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. A limited number of copies are available for checkout at the library’s front desk.  

One of the facilitators and local business owner, Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction says, “The practice of mindfulness has changed my life. I am more centered, calm, present, intuitive, and loving as a result. I want to share what I have learned with others, as well as learn more and deepen my practice through book study and learning from others.” 

This book club is for adults, although high school students are welcome to join. There is no cost or registration to attend.  You may contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782. 

UW-W lauded for its affordability as a College of Distinction

For the seventh consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has been named among the Colleges of Distinction — a national honor that recognizes campuses for exceptional teaching and dedication to student success. UW-Whitewater is one of just four public universities in the state to receive this distinction.

This year, the university is one of only two colleges in the state to be awarded a badge in affordability, one that focuses both on an institution’s costs and student outcomes as it aims to assist cost-conscious students and parents in navigating the complex landscape of college financing. The tuition at UW-Whitewater is among the lowest of the four-year colleges in the UW System, and the university is the least expensive when housing and meals are factored in.

“This designation affirms that UW-Whitewater offers affordable world-class academic programs that strengthen our region and state,” said UW-Whitewater Chancellor Corey A. King. “For example, we have the largest accredited business college in Wisconsin, and it ranks in the top 2% in the world, yet it is accessible to more students and families thanks to its affordability. That kind of access will benefit our students, their families, and the state of Wisconsin for generations to come.”

Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction, emphasized the significance of addressing today’s cost of higher education. “For new students, the ability to finance their education is a very reasonable concern. UW-Whitewater has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring manageable student debt and empowering career opportunities.” 

Schritter further emphasized, “Our Affordable Colleges of Distinction are not just about a low price tag; they epitomize a significant return on a student’s investment. UW-Whitewater exemplifies that an engaging, real-world education can be accessible without a hefty financial burden.”

The new badge rounds out existing badges that highlight UW-Whitewater’s excellence in business, education, equity and inclusion and as a public institution in Wisconsin. And it continues to be the only university in the UW System to earn the career development badge. 

To be named a College of Distinction, UW-Whitewater demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education in such factors as student engagement, teaching excellence, outcomes-based learning, and community involvement. This evaluation process differs from those of popular college rankings publications, whose formulas grade institutions based on things like faculty salaries, endowment size, and peer opinion.

The Colleges of Distinction selection process consists of a review of each institution’s freshman experience and retention efforts alongside its general education programs, alumni success, strategic plan, student satisfaction, and other criteria. Schools are accepted on the basis that they adhere to the four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, successful outcomes, and vibrant community.


This Week’s Rummage Sale

Garage Sale: Friday & Saturday, June 23rd & 4th

8-4 @ 592 N. Walton Dr.

Artificial Floral arrangements,  lots of home decor, 38″ square coffee table w/glass, antique sleigh table, princess house China, crystal wine glasses & Mikasa bowls, Chicago Bears outdoor flags, and much more