News

Obituary: Mary Ann C. Rodriguez, 83

Mary Ann C. Rodriguez, 83 of Whitewater passed away Monday September 11, 2023 at Delavan Health Services.

She was born on August 19, 1940 the daughter of Olin John “Cotton” and Genevieve (nee Branks) Bienfang in her Whitewater home where she continuously resided until her ailing health prevented her from remaining at home.  She married Victor A. Rodriguez, Jr. on November 25, 1958 and they had five children.

Mary Ann, more fondly known as “Mary,” “Mother Mar,” “MM,” “Miriam,” “Gramma,” and “Grams,” was a traditional mom in every sense of the word.  Her family and home were the center of her life.  Home was always the center of the neighborhood block kid activities where treats were always a priority.  Daily laundry and removing stains was her expertise!  She had a love of animals as was evident by the numerous cats and dogs in and out of the house throughout the years.  She was heart broken she couldn’t take her cat, Mippy, with her to Health Services.  Her passion was listening to music and reading, hanging out in her recliner with her chips and chocolate watching TV and movies in her living room. Her DVD collection is phenomenal.

Mother Mar is survived by her 5 children; Victor (Margaret) Rodriguez of Shorewood, WI, Roque (Rhonda) Rodriguez of Whitewater, WI, Genevieve (Brant) Mursch of Whitewater, WI, Chinchi Jorgensen of North Prairie, WI, and Mary (Michael) Mahoney of Whitewater, WI.  She is further survived by 12 grandchildren; Christopher, Emery, Alex, Laura, Victor, Clayton, and Xavier Rodriguez, Jaime (Charlie) Rortvedt, Michael and Shane Rodriguez, Jennifer (Josue) Santiago, and Melissa Mursch-Rodriguez.  In addition, she is survived by 7 great-grandchildren; Addison and Andrew Rortvedt, Quinton, Lucas, Havana, and Alora Rodriguez, and Josue Levi “Jr” Santiago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; mother, Genevieve (Branks) Streib; Father, Olin John “Cotton” Bienfang; grandparents, Catherine and Thomas Branks; brother, Timothy Streib; sister, Margaret Gonzalez; niece, Margaret “Maggie” Gonzalez; son-in-law, Greg Jorgensen; and grandson, Lance Rodriguez.

Mother Mar will forever be missed and remembered for her loving, generous, giving, kind heart and silly “tee hee” laughter. Thank you, mom, for always being there for all of us!

Special thanks of sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire Delavan Health Services staff and St. Croix Hospice /Delavan for all your kindness and compassionate care to our mother and our family during her brief residency and unexpected decline in health. Your dedication and sincere care for those in need has made a difference in our lives during this most difficult time.

A private mass of Christian burial took place on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church Whitewater.  Burial took place immediately following the mass at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials in Mary’s name can be made to St. Croix Hospice if desired.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Celebrate your Kids and Grandkids with a Library Fund Donation and Wall Tile Purchase

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Doug Anderson.

Dean and Arthur’s names will be on the library’s wall thanks to donations from their parents.

Dean:  I see our names are on the tiles!  

Arthur: Mom and Dad gave to the library fund in our names to remind us about how important the library has been to our growth and development.  In 25 years we will be prepared to support the library ourselves. 

You too, can pay it forward for your kids or grandkids by putting their names on the wall to remind them each time they enter how important the library is to you and them.  $250 for two lines on a tile up to 40 characters. Use the QR code or visit http://bit.ly/3DwnndS to make a gift online. Write a check to Whitewater Community Foundation, PO Box 428, Whitewater, WI 53190.   Enter Library Fund in memo line.

Discover Whitewater Series Celebrates 11th Year Success

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Jeff Knight.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC)’s 11th annual Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathon Teams, and 5k was a smashing success, raising money for local charities. 

This year’s DWS brought in 475 participants, 200+ volunteers, and nearly 70 sponsors. The DWS team was thrilled to welcome 39 runners from nine different states other than Wisconsin. The weather was cooler and rainy this morning for runners with a temperature of 60 degrees. 

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Dr. Corey King arrived bright and early this morning to give the welcoming remarks and wish all of the participants a great race. 

Women’s Half Marathon Winners: Jenny Zwagerman, Megan Wagner, Kortney Pippenger

Jenny Zwagerman

Men’s Half Marathon Winners: David Fassbender, Braeden Michael, Carl Greene 

David Fassbender

Half Marathon Teams Winner: Jenny Zwagerman, Tyler Zwagerman, Alex Moehn, Christina Moehn

Women’s 5k Winners: Alyse Peters, Heidi Mane, Kate Omernik 

Alyse Peters

Men’s 5k Winners: Mark Elworthy, Quinn Mckenzie, Lucas Springstroh 

Mark Elworthy

To see all race results, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/26133

As runners ventured through the course, they got to experience some of Whitewater’s finest features. The DWS team was proud to welcome new and returning participants alike. Thanks to all of the hard work of volunteers and sponsors, this 11th Annual DWS proved to achieve its mission of bringing people together in support of a good cause. 

All proceeds will be distributed to the DWS’ four charity partners: Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Bethel House of Whitewater, and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. Runners and volunteers joined together after the race to celebrate the day’s accomplishments, enjoying a free beverage from bronze sponsor 841 Brewhouse. 

“The 11th Annual DWS was an amazing community event,” said Race Director, Dawson Miller, “It was great to see runners and volunteers showcase their hard work.”

The DWS team would like to thank all who came out in support of the race. The entire community has been a part of such an amazing event that has greatly helped charities across Whitewater. 

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, and university  to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.

Obituary: Maria Gloria Benitez, 67

Maria Gloria Benitez, 67, Fort Atkinson, passed away surrounded by her family at the Rainbow Hospice Center in Johnson Creek, WI.

Maria was born in Hildgo, Texas on October 11, 1955, to Fidencio and Maria Ester (Casarez) Beltran.  She graduated from San Jsidro High School.  On April 19, 1997, Maria married Angelio Benitez in Minnesota.  Maria worked, teaching ESL at Purdy Elementary in Fort Atkinson and at Jefferson High School.  She enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Angelio, Fort Atkinson; children Pam (Juan Aguilar) Garza, and Jose Garza, both of Fort Atkinson; grandchildren Ivan and Diego Gonzalez, Vincente and Mia Aguilar.  She was preceded in death by her parents and son Isaac Beltran.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater.  The day and time will be announced.  Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

WUSD Unplugged on Wed., Sept. 20 at Whitewater Middle School at 4 p.m.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023 -WUSD Unplugged

Members of the Whitewater School Board will be attending the WUSD Unplugged session at Whitewater Middle School on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 beginning at 4:00pm. A quorum of the School Board may be present; however, the Board will not be conducting any business during the event.

The 13th Annual Run for Trey is on Sunday, October 8 at Starin Park in Whitewater!! 

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Molly Fuller.

Through the strength of the Kilar family and the outpouring of community support, Run for Trey was established to support the development and maintenance of the little league field, Treyton’s Field of Dreams, and yearly local scholarships for students.  

Mary and Mike Kilar’s son, Treyton, age 6, was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver on September 2, 2010. Although his dreams were shattered by a senseless tragedy, the field built in his honor provides a safe place for children and families to celebrate life and spend time together.  It is a place where children are encouraged to dream big and learn that through hard work, their dreams can become reality! 

Although Treyton is now playing on the “real” field of dreams in heaven, the fundraising efforts each year from the Run for Trey helps thousands of other children have a better future and learn responsible life-long decision-making skills. 

Treyton Kilar, age 6, was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver on September 2, 2010.

You can sign up for the Run for Trey at www.treysfield.org. The day will consist of lots of family fun activities including:

  • Run For Trey features an all terrain run/walk
    • Run onto the field at Perkins Stadium at UWW
  • Dogs welcome
  • Bounce
  • Obstacle course for the kids
  • Balloons
  • Raffle
  • Great food to enjoy!

-$20.00 Registration (Adults) – Before October 8, 2023

-$25.00 same-day registrations at the event (Adult)

-$15.00 Registration (17 & Under) – NOTE: Runsignup will discount at checkout based on birthdate.

-$20.00 same-day registrations at the event (17 & Under)

*Packet pickup starts at 8 am on race day. Race starts at 10. If you have any questions you can email Molly Fuller at mollyo18@me.com

UW-Whitewater to Host Lectures on Civil War Era at Cedar Crest in Janesville

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Continuing Education announces free lectures at Cedar Crest in Janesville this fall. Four lectures will focus on Culture and Conflict: Exploring the Civil War Era and are open to all.

Now in its third year, the Cedar Crest Lecture Series resumes on September 28.  Attendees are invited to step back in time to the 19th century and explore the multifaceted dimensions of the War Between the States and the profound impact of the War on present-day society. Lectures in this series include:

  • September 28
    Union in an Age of Disunion:  Tom Thumb, Lavinia Warren, and the Dawn of Modern Celebrity Against the Backdrop of Civil War
    Presented by Anna Hajdik, lecturer, Literature, Writing, and Film
  • October 5
    To Bind their Wounds: Medicine in the US Civil War
    Presented by Beth Jozwiak, associate professor, Integrated Studies
  • October 12
    Moderation at a Time of Extremism: Lincoln’s Defense of the Union
    Presented by Edward Gimbel, associate professor, Politics, Government, and Law
  • October 19
    Gettysburg: The Battle That Saved America and Produced the Most Famous Speech in American History
    Presented by Richard Haven, professor emeritus, Communication

The four public lectures will be held at 2 p.m. on the Thursdays listed above and will take place in the Gathering Room at Cedar Crest, Inc., 1702 South River Road, Janesville. Free parking is available and registration is not required. Visit our website at https://www.uww.edu/ce/cedar-crest for a full schedule and updates.

If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information.

Whitewater and Rock County Campuses Celebrate Significant Enrollment Gains for Fall 2023

As the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater marks the beginning of a new academic year, both of its campuses are welcoming more students than in recent years. 

Projected enrollment for the fall 2023 semester is 11,462, an increase of 375 students or 3.4 percent, compared to fall 2022. 

The Whitewater campus is expected to reach 10,764 students, up 2.6 percent from last year. At the Rock County campus in Janesville, enrollment is projected to be 698, up 105 students, a 17.7 percent increase. This marks the first year-to-year rise in total enrollment at the Whitewater campus since fall 2016, and the first increase at the Rock County campus since fall 2018.

“We are immensely pleased to see that our high-quality academic programs, our mission of accessibility, our standing as the most affordable school in the UW System and our commitment to student success are all resonating with students and their families as they choose a university home,” said Corey A. King, chancellor. “Over the past several months, we have strategically expanded our recruitment, persistence, and retention efforts to a university-wide responsibility. The Warhawk family is starting this new academic year strong!” 

UW-Whitewater is experiencing enrollment increases across the board.

“Our School of Graduate Studies, which awards master’s degrees and doctorates, is at 1,710 students, which would be the second largest total in our history. The freshmen class of 1,975 students is the largest in six years, and the number of students taking face-to-face classes, as well as those individuals taking online classes, are all on the rise,” said John Chenoweth, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “More students are transferring to UW-Whitewater from other colleges and universities, and the number of students who are the first in their family to pursue higher education is also increasing.”

UW-Whitewater boasts Wisconsin’s largest accredited school of business and licenses more new teachers than any other university in Wisconsin. More than 79 undergraduate majors — including newer programs like cybersecurity and legal studies — and 24 graduate programs are now offered at UW-Whitewater. This fall, the Rock County campus will welcome its first class of students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a collaborative degree program in partnership with Edgewood College.

The university’s official census will take place on the 10th day of instruction.