Obituary: Frank J. Sauter, 65, of Palmyra

Frank J. Sauter, age 65, of Palmyra, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on June 21, 1960 in Madison, Frank was the cherished son of Richard and Marion (Lute) Sauter.  Frank grew up in Palmyra and graduated from Palmyra High School in 1978. On July 25, 1992, he married the love of his life, Dawn Haas, and built a deep union with devotion, laughter, and unwavering partnership.

Frank’s life was defined by service, integrity, and heart. From his early days working on the family farm, he developed a strong work ethic and a love for the land. He later served as a police officer for the Village of Palmyra and also for the Village of Sharon, where his calm presence and dedication earned the respect of many.  Frank also built a successful career working for AFLAC insurance company for many years, helping others protect what mattered most to them. Whether in uniform, behind a desk, or leading as the Chairman for the Town of Palmyra, Frank’s guiding principle was always the same: to take care of people.

He was a natural leader with a magnetic personality—larger than life, yet deeply grounded in kindness. Frank had a gift for making others feel seen and supported, and he poured that energy into his community, friendships, and above all, his family.

Frank found joy in the simple pleasures and grand adventures of life. He loved traveling to sunny destinations, taking Caribbean cruises, hunting, snowmobiling and atv’ing  with family and friends, and enjoying a well- earned Miami Vice cocktail. But his greatest happiness came from being a devoted husband, a proud father, and an adoring grandfather. His laughter, stories, and presence, will echo in the hearts of those who knew him best.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Dawn Sauter of Palmyra: his children Richard (Jessica) Sauter of Jefferson, Lucas (Sadie) Sauter of Palmyra, Jason Rossbach (Jessica Kusch) of Eagle, Jennelle (Tony) Aranda of Whitewater, and Timothy (Maria) Rossbach of Pewaukee.  His grandchildren, Rhett, Reese, Audrina, Samantha, Makenzie, Allie, Grey, Antonio and Cruz. He is also remembered fondly by many other relatives and dear friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Debby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s honor made be made to the AFLAC Children’s Cancer Center or to Palmyra United Methodist Church.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the Palmyra United Methodist Church with Pastor Thomas Alverson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until the time of service. Frank will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Palmyra immediately following the service.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra & Eagle, WI is serving the family. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Our Readers Share: Valerie Mason – Young buck checking out fall leaves


Valerie Mason of Whitewater writes, “This week I caught this sweet picture of a young buck taking time to check out the colorful fall leaves.”

Our thanks to Valerie Mason for sharing this sweet picture.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!

Studio 84 Fundraiser: Holiday flower bulbs

Studio 84 is doing the winter Flower Power Fundraiser. This includes a variety of items such as amaryllis, paperwhites, gifts, seeds and more.

Our personalized website is: http://studio84.fpfundraising.com

Orders placed by December 1st will arrive before the holidays for gift giving. The website will be open to receive orders until December 15th. Studio 84 will receive up to 50% of total sales from all orders placed. Your order will be shipped directly to your home.

Please consider this holiday fundraiser as a way to continue to support the programming at Studio 84.

Wisconsin Makers Presents Felting Workshop

A felting workshop will take place Monday, Nov. 17, in Whitewater. It is set for 5 to 8 p.m. at Wisconsin Makers, 200 E. Clay St. Attendees may work on needle or wet felting or both. The fee is $20, materials included. Payment may be made at the class.

Register by calling instructor Leani Schoor at (608) 421-4078 or emailing her at leanischoor@gmail.com.

Having earned her Bachelor of Science degree in art education and Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Schoor taught art at Jefferson High School for 38 years. The owner of Studio 2154 in Madison, she teaches wet and needle felting, beadwork, glass fusing, cement yard art, ceramics, copper enameling, metal work and quilting.

Located at the corner of East Clay and Wisconsin streets in Whitewater, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace or community workshop. For more information, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.

Florence Bassett Club of Whitewater Presents Historical Program

The Florence Bassett Club of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs cordially invites the public to attend a historical presentation by Michael Rehberg, Lead Interpreter at Black Point Estate and Gardens, the Wisconsin Historical Society’s house museum in Lake Geneva. The event will be held at the Bassett House, located at 708 West Main Street in Whitewater, on Wednesday, November 19th at 1:30 p.m.

Mr. Rehberg’s presentation will examine the history of Black Point Estate, its significance among the mansions of the lake region, its preservation, and aspects of summer life at the estate. He will highlight the entrepreneurial achievements of the Conrad Seipp family, builders of the house, as well as their philanthropic contributions to the county.

A permanent resident of Walworth County with a home on the south shore of Lake Como, Mr. Rehberg holds both BA and MBA degrees from UW–Madison. He managed the development of Lake Geneva’s walking tours in collaboration with the Geneva Lake Museum and the Lake Geneva Preservation Commission. Additionally, he is active in local history and preservation organizations, serving on the Board of Directors for the Walworth County Historical Society.

All members of the community are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Florence Bassett Club.

 UW-W Hosting 1st & 2nd Rounds of NCAA DIII Soccer Tournament


UW-Whitewater will be hosting the First & Second Rounds of the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament on Saturday and Sunday (November 15-16). 

For ongoing coverage click here.

Fiskum Field

1062 W. Schwager Dr., Whitewater, WI 53190

*ABSOLUTELY NO PETS ALLOWED AT FISKUM FIELD PER NCAA POLICY (except certified service animals)*

 REGIONAL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
 TIMETEAMSLIVE COVERAGERESULT
GAME 11:00 PM (CT)DePauw vs UChicagoStats | Stream | Press Conference 
GAME 23:30 PM (CT)Wis.-Whitewater vs WashUStats | Stream | Press Conference 
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
 TIMETEAMSLIVE COVERAGERESULT
GAME 33:00 PM (CT)Advancing TeamsStats | Stream | Press Conference 
*The schedule is subject to change based on NCAA regulations and procedures


SINGLE GAME TICKET PRICES (Cash only)
Adult$8
Senior Citizen$5
Student$5
Children (Ages 6-17)$5
Children Under 6Free

PARKING 

Lot 22 (Baseball Lot): Free on Weekends

Lot 11 (Williams Center) or Lot 24 (Perkins Stadium): Free

*Limited Spots available in Lot 22. If Lot 22 is full, please park in Lots 11 or 2

Obituary: Dale Duane Pieper, 91

It is with great sadness that the family of Dale Duane Pieper of Whitewater, Wisconsin announce his passing on October 23, 2025, at age 91. Dale was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin on August 3, 1934, to Fern & Melvin Pieper. He moved to Whitewater, WI with his family at age 9 and remained a lifelong resident. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1953 and served as captain of the football team and Homecoming King during his senior year. While attending school, he began learning the trade of auto body repair from his father and built his first car, a roadster with a rumble seat. 

After graduating high school, Dale started working at his father’s auto body shop, Fort Body in Whitewater. After his father retired, he took over management of the shop with his two younger brothers, Daryl & Jim. Dale was a perfectionist at his craft and was a truly exceptional automobile painter and refinisher. As a businessperson, he was as honest as he was hard-working, and refused to retire until he was in his late 70’s.  

Dale married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Dotty) Saxe, in 1955. They had four daughters, Linda, Rosann, Connie, & Lori. When it came to caring for his family, he was unstoppable. No matter how arduous family life became, he never gave up on any of us. Dale worked as hard at home as he did at his job. Now that we are older, we recognize just how exceptional his visual-spatial skills were. The man could build or fix anything. Soon after turning 20, he single-handedly designed and built the family home where he & Dotty raised their girls. 

Dale was very physically active & took his daughters snowmobiling, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. He loved the outdoors and wanted to share that love with his family. It is hard to believe he was crazy enough to take four girls & their friends camping all by himself every summer. Dale was an active member of the snowmobile club for many years and enjoyed taking family members for long motorcycle rides in the country.  

He & Dotty instilled a love of animals in all their daughters, putting up with pet turtles, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs & ponies. To the delight of his daughters & neighborhood kids, he taught their two ponies to pull a sled and wagon. Under the influence of two of his daughters, Dale later got hooked on horses, buying a horse of his own and riding with his youngest daughter in Kettle Moraine for many years. Even in his late 80’s, Dale could be seen walking his dog(s) around town and often walked his daughters’ dogs as well.  

Those close to Dale knew he was a man of few words. But he was always there to listen and lend a helping hand. He adored his two granddaughters, Katie and Liz, and enjoyed giving them rides on his horse, babysitting, and chaperoning birthday parties when they were young. Even after his children and grandchildren became adults, his desire to be there for them never faded. Dale was so proud of becoming a great-grandfather to Katie’s daughter, Emma, and was looking forward to Liz having the first boy in the family.  

Everything Dale did, he did for his family. He was our rock. We will miss seeing his smile, hearing his voice, & feeling his hand in ours. However, our souls will forever remain connected. We hope he is experiencing freedom and peace beyond anything he could have ever imagined on this earth.  

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, 4 siblings, Pat, Delmar, Daryl, & John, & his oldest daughter, Linda. He is survived by his sister, Ronette, brother, Jim, daughters, Rosann, Connie, & Lori, granddaughters, Katie and Liz, and great-granddaughter, Emma. A public memorial has not been planned at this time. 

Minor Injuries Sustained in Car vs. Buggy Crash

Two occupants of a buggy and the driver of the car that hit them at about 8 a.m. on Monday, November 10 in the 10000 block of County Hwy N in Rock County were treated for minor injuries. Both of the vehicles were going east on N when the crash occurred, according to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The driver of the car that hit the buggy from behind was not identified. The occupants of the buggy were an adult and a minor.

The Sheriff’s Office indicated that no charges will be filed. Also responding to the crash were the Whitewater Police Department and Lakeside Fire Rescue.

Obituary: Karla Jean Masterson Goodman, 72, of MD

Karla Jean Masterson Goodman, 72, of Severna Park, Maryland passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, due to complications of multiple sclerosis. She was surrounded by loved ones in her final hours.

Karla was born on March 11, 1953, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, the daughter of parents William and Phyllis (Chamberlain) Masterson. She grew up in Whitewater, Wisconsin, graduated from Whitewater High School, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Karla found great enjoyment working at the Delafield Public Library among the books she loved. She moved to Maryland later in life to be with her son Mike and his family.

A true cat lover verging on crazy cat lady, Karla raised and loved many felines. She was well known for the cat sweaters and pins she wore, as well as the many cat pictures and figurines decorating her living spaces. Karla also loved games, puzzles, TV game shows, going to the movies, Coca-Cola, the color purple, and chocolate. She adored music and spent decades singing alto in various choirs and playing the piano, clarinet, and handbells, especially at Delafield Presbyterian Church.

Karla was a follower of Jesus and a member of Woods Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, MD, where she sang in the choir for years. Karla was a proud member of Delta Zeta Sorority, which she joined at UW-Whitewater. She cultivated lifelong friendships from her chapter and they had regular get-togethers until Karla moved away from Wisconsin. She was also a member of P.E.O. International and remained close with the organization until her death.

Remaining to cherish Karla’s memory are sons Michael (Jessica) Goodman and Brian (Ashley) Goodman, grandchildren Ella Ruth Goodman and Ziggy Goodman, and brothers Kim Masterson and Bruce Masterson, along with several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandson Theodore Goodman, parents, and sisters- in-law Pam Schmit-Masterson and Debbie Masterson.

A celebration of Karla’s life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, WI, with Pastor Martinelli officiating. The service will be followed by burial at Hillside Cemetery. We will then share memories of Karla over Gus’ pizza, Coca-Cola, and chocolate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Karla’s name can be made to Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) under the Ways to Give and Tributes tabs.

Online condolences may be shared at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater, WI.