Obituaries

Obituary: Jeffrey (Jeff) Mark Erdman, 69

Jeffrey (Jeff) Mark Erdman, avid reader, funny guy, and fishing extraordinaire, escaped this mortal realm on June 11, 2023. Jeff was from Whitewater, Wisconsin, a place he was proud to call ‘home.’

He leaves behind a dysfunctional family that he loved very much, and a house full of stuff that his family doesn’t know what to do with.

Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Lorraine (Lorrie) Erdman; his sisters, Janice Culver and Leslie Bauer; and the mother of his children, Frances (Diane) Erdman. He is survived by his sons Justin (Vanessa) Erdman, Jacob Erdman, and Josh Erdman; his grandchildren Evan, Alina Kate, Brennan, and Ashton; his sister, Mary Husar; special friends Tom, Donna, and Micah Vaughn; and the Italian food industry which he single-handedly upheld in Whitewater.

His family swears to avenge his untimely death.

Jeff was born on November 21, 1953 to Gordon and Lorraine. After years of treating his body like an amusement park, Jeff’s spirit chuckled and shrugged and left the worn out shell. His spirit is now reunited with his parents and they are exploring the universe. Along for the adventure are his sisters, Janice and Leslie, who beat him to the finish line. Jeff’s brother, Jay, is still traveling the world and, and their sister, Mary, is sweltering in the Alabama heat. They both stubbornly refuse to join the rest of the family; they were always such overachievers. Jeff’s demise will now allow Jay and Mary to emerge from his shadow.

To Justin, Jeff left his intelligence, impatience, integrity, and stubbornness. He also left Justin a love of science fiction, fishing, and reading. Jeff’s mouth lives on with Justin, both the physical mouth that has passed down for generations, as well as the figurative smart mouth that gets both of them into trouble. Justin also inherited his pop’s impulsivity, which has never done either of them any good, but definitely has given both of them some good times.

To Jacob, Jeff left his sense of humor, altruism, practicality, and understanding. Jacob also got his love of reading and the love of a good debate from Jeff. Jeff left his sharp tongue to Jacob, which gets Jacob in trouble, but somehow never out of it. Thankfully, he has Jeff’s wit for that. Jeff’s love of X-Men comics lives forever through Jacob.

To Josh, Jeff handed down a sense of loyalty, generosity, thoughtfulness, and his easygoing nature. He also taught Josh mechanical skills, and left Josh with a great work ethic, where he excels at working with his hands, like Jeff. Jeff also gave Josh a love of fishing and being outdoors, where they loved to crack a beer and have a good laugh.

Due to multiple, anonymous Father’s Day cards which arrived each June, the children suspect there were other siblings but that has never been verified.

Jeff’s 45+ years as a Heat Treater made him a legend in the industry. He traveled extensively for work and hated every minute of it. Jeff met hundreds of fellow idiots who also chose this profession and made an impact on all of them. A handful of them might even say kind things about him, if they were pressed. We’re waiting, Al Arbour, Bob Christiansen, Joe Martich, and Ronny Kendrick… Money, along with your kind words, is always appreciated. We will also accept a note of farewell, written on a cold bottle of Budweiser, and drank in his honor.

He attended the school of hard knocks, where he majored in drinking beer and chasing young women.

Fanatico, Holi Connoli, and The Real MacCoys lost a loyal customer. Visit them the next time you’re in Whitewater and have a meal with Jeff’s memory.

He enjoyed playing music obnoxiously loud, way too late at night. His favorites were Tom Petty, Def Leppard, Bob Dylan, The Traveling Wilburys, and Everclear.

Jeff died knowing that Star Wars and Indiana Jones were the greatest movies, Sudoku was the best game ever, there’s no better video games than Star Craft and Dragon Warrior, and that chicks don’t actually dig on older men.

Jeff had a life-long love affair with Mountain Dew, Swedish Fish, medium-rare steak, Topper’s Stix, chocolate ice cream, Marie Callender’s cherry pie, Dave’s Killer White Bread, fish fries, Mrs. Hoffman’s banana bread (“it’s the best banana bread I’ve ever had!”), shrimp, and his mom’s Mexican wedding cakes. He had a regular menage-a-trois with Marlboros and Budweiser.

He also loved the Packers, the Brewers, the Bucks, a good laugh and a good story, philosophy, and psychology, regaling people with his exploits, fishing, a simple life, science fiction, theology, button-down shirts with pockets, and trying to give away everything in his house.

Jeff despised vegetables, texting, returning phone calls, “keeping up with the Joneses,” drinking water, romantic comedies, inauthenticity, and the Cowboys and the Bears.

Jeff got irrationally upset when someone would eat his chocolate ice cream that sat in the freezer for over a month, even if they asked his permission first. He excelled at talking louder to win arguments. To quote Winston Churchill: “He was a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

His regrets were few but include eating a Papa Murphy’s pizza undercooked because he was too impatient to wait, not training his birds to detect blood cancer, and standing behind the guy who smoked him in the face with a pool cue.

Jeff’s memorial service will be held at 841 Brewhouse in Whitewater, WI on July 15, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. The family encourages everyone to wear their Packers or Brewers clothing to the memorial in honor of Jeff. Anyone wearing Cowboys gear or Bears gear will not be admitted to the memorial.

Royalties for all brands listed are expected.

In all seriousness, Jeff died from complications from chemotherapy treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS-EB1; blood cancer), exacerbated by smoking, which led to multiple strokes over the years and the vascular dementia that Jeff suffered in the last two or three years of his life. Please click on the links below to see the warning signs of MDS, strokes, and vascular dementia. And quit smoking! These are the real villains of Jeff’s life.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Jeff is not dead, because his memory is alive.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/myelodysplastic-syndrome/about/what-is-mds.html

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/index.htm

https://www.world-stroke.org/assets/downloads/STROKE_RISK_AND_PREVENTION_LEAFLET_SMOKING-EN.pdf

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378793

Obituary: Mary Anne Gerlach, 82 (Updated with arrangements)

Mary Anne Gerlach, 82, of Whitewater passed peacefully to eternal life on Monday, June 19, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater.  Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Mary Anne was born on January 26, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Lester and Eunice (Brubaker) Davis.  She spent many of her early years in Bridgetown, a suburb of Cincinnati, where she enjoyed playing croquet with the neighborhood kids.  Mary Anne also enjoyed learning to play bridge with her parents and her sister, Lois.  She graduated from Western Hills High School in 1959, and went on to graduate from Ohio University in 1963.  She met her life partner, Jacob Gerlach, playing bridge at the Methodist Church Wesley youth room in Athens, Ohio.  On December 27, 1962 Mary Anne married Jake in Cincinnati, Ohio.  They were both majors in mathematics, and were accepted in the Phd mathematics program at UW-Madison in 1963.  After they completed the required course work, they moved to Whitewater where Jake joined the UW-Whitewater Mathematics Department in 1968, and they both finished their theses.

They joined the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir, as well as serving on committees.  Mary Anne became the chair of the Mission Committee.  Mary Anne also joined United Methodist Women, inspired by their mission to serve women, children, and youth.  She got involved in bridge marathons, and also wrote out route sheets for the local Meals on Wheels (MOW) program.  She learned to use a computer for her MOW tasks – she liked saying she told people where to go.  Mary Anne eventually took over the scheduling for the MOW bridge marathon.  She also became a Girl Scout leader when her girls were old enough to be in the troop, and enjoyed creating craft projects for them.

Mary Anne taught at UW-Whitewater part time, as needed.  She became a full time faculty member in 1976.  She taught some computer courses as well as math courses.  Mary Anne loved her returning students in algebra – they worked hard.  She and Jake both retired in 1997.  After retiring, she went back to another love – art.  Mary Anne joined an art class at the Fort Atkinson Senior Center, which became an art group after the teacher died.  She joined the Whitewater Arts Alliance and the Association of Wisconsin Artists.  Her art won some prizes at the AWA State Show.

Mary Anne enjoyed playing bridge, Scrabble, and word games, as well as working sudokos and ciphers.  She also enjoyed reading.

Mary Anne is survived by her husband, Jacob Gerlach; brother, Ed; children, Joy Balius, Lois Kailhofer, Charles (Sharon) Gerlach; niece and nephew, Ruth and David Reisman; many other nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Maureen, Robert, Benjamin, Max, Grace, Julia, and Luke.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Eunice Davis; sister, Lois Jeanne Reisman; and a grandchild.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater.  Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

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

Obituary: Catherine A. MacKenzie, 86

Catherine A. MacKenzie, 86, of Whitewater, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023 at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI.

Catherine was born on January 2, 1937 in Palmyra, WI the daughter of Ernest and Ruth (Frodl) Congdon. She grew up in Palmyra and graduated from Palmyra High School. She continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, graduating with a teaching degree. Catherine enjoyed being a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in the Town of Troy. She had fond memories of the travel experiences she had with the teachers’ association. She was united in marriage to Alex MacKenzie and the two would later divorce but remained friends until Alex’s passing in 2015. Catherine and Alex were blessed with seven children. Catherine was a devoted mother, making sure her children had everything they needed as they were her number one priority. Catherine had a very loving personality and taking care of others’ needs came naturally to her. Her Catholic faith was also a major part of her life. She was a very active parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra for many years where she taught CCD classes. She also was a history buff and greatly enjoyed sharing her love of history with others. She worked at Old World Wisconsin as an actor and guide for many years and enjoyed every minute. Catherine liked to stay informed about her community. Most recently, she especially enjoyed her visits with her dear friend, Michael Sullivan, as it was difficult for her to leave home. She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and she will be sincerely missed.

She is survived by: 5 loving children, Greg MacKenzie of Whitewater, AJ MacKenzie of Whitewater, Henry (Kay) MacKenzie of Mukwonago, Margaret MacKenzie of Loup City, NE, and Gabe MacKenzie of Whitewater; 6 grandchildren, Cheyenne, Waylon, Johnathan (Nikki), Private First Class Ryan, Gabe, Jr., and Alexandra; a great-grandchild Lila; and her brother, Richard Congdon of Palmyra.

She is preceded in death by her parents, the father of her children, Alex MacKenzie, two dear sons, Michael and Ernest, and her siblings, William, Mary Lou and David Congdon.

Catherine’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Mercy Home Health Care for the loving care they provided to Catherine over the last several years.

Memorials in Catherine’s honor may be made to AngelsGrace Hospice Center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra, WI. Msgr. Donn Heiar will officiate the service. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Catherine will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

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

Obituary: Suzanne Mae Walker, 76

Suzanne Mae (Latta, Fredricksen) Walker was called to her Lord and Savior at age 76 on June 18, 2023. Suzanne was born July 20, 1946 to Winifred and Orville Latta and grew up in Walworth County, Wis. She graduated from Elkhorn High School and attended classes at UW-Whitewater until she married her husband, Gordon Fredricksen, on January 21, 1967. They raised their two daughters, Kendrah and Jacqueline, in Palmyra, Wis. Over the years, Suzanne worked part-time while also being a nurturing mother and homemaker. She was an active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Palmyra.

Suzanne expected her daughters to do well in school and was involved in their many activities, including Sunday School, Girl Scouts, 4-H, sports, band and more. She encouraged them to obtain college degrees and pursue their dreams.

After Suzanne and Gordon divorced, she and her eldest daughter bought a house together at Turtle Lake in Delavan, Wis. They enjoyed living in the country for over a decade with several dogs, cats and birds. They became active members of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, Wis. During that time, Suzanne worked full-time at Fairhaven Senior Services until her retirement.

Suzanne’s mental illness ultimately deemed it necessary for her to have more structured care and support. She was welcomed into Casa Mia Care Center in Pell Lake, Wis., where she lived happily for many years. As her physical health declined, she moved to a facility that could provide additional care, and most recently, she resided at Franciscan Villa in South Milwaukee, Wis.

Suzanne is survived by her two children, Jacqueline Gauger (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and Rev. Kendrah Fredricksen (Quincy, Calif.); her sister, Carol Krauklis (Elkhorn, Wis.); and her brother, John Latta (Elkhorn, Wis).

A memorial service will be held at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service. Suzanne’s cremains will be placed near her parents at Roselawn Memory Gardens in Elkhorn, Wis. Memorial funds are designated to Lutheran World Relief and can be sent through Our Savior Lutheran Church, PO Box 1396, Quincy, CA 95971.

Obituary: John Earl Smith, Jr., 91

John Earl Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday, June 26, in Green Valley, AZ.  He was born on October 25, 1931 in Detroit, MI.  John held dual citizenship; he was raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the majority of his youth and young adulthood.

John graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit and worked as an industrial engineer for much of his early professional life.  His career took him, his wife Barb (of 65 years), and his growing family (eventually four sons) to Cedar Rapids, IA, Hoffman Estates, IL, and Whitewater, WI, where he and Barb owned and operated The Red Lantern restaurant on Main Street in Whitewater from the mid 70’s to late 80’s.  He was also an adjunct faculty member at The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Business College. 

After selling their business, John and Barb worked as managers at La Quinta Hotels around the Southwest, eventually settling in Green Valley, AZ, happily retired for the past 25+ years.

John was preceded in death by his wife (Barbara Jean, nee Clark).  He is survived by sons Tim (& Maribeth) Smith of North Plains, OR; Kevin (& Barb) Smith of Escondido, CA; Dan (& Sandy) Smith of Mequon, WI; and Mike Smith of Portland, OR, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Both John’s and Barb’s ashes will be scattered in the Santa Rita Mountains which surround Green Valley by their family at a later date.

Obituary: Donna M. Root, 79, of Fort Atkinson

Donna M. Root, 79, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Donna was born on June 15, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to Matthew and Shirley (Poliquin) Wehr. She worked as the officer manager at Yerges Transportation for 45+ years. She loved her job because of the interaction she was able to have with all the people coming in and her co-workers.

Donna enjoyed gardening. She took pride in her five flower beds and caring for them. She enjoyed listening to her stepson Wade’s many bands throughout the years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and all of her friends – she had too many to name. She loved taking pictures at all events she was a part of and documenting the fun everyone was having. She also loved to play slot machines and was lucky more often than not.

She is survived by her husband, Duane Root; child, Dan (Kelly) Olson, stepchildren, Tammy (Scott) Wiedenhoeft, Julie (Pete) Urdhal, Doug (Amy) Root and Wade (Lisa) Root. Also, by her grandchild, Matthew (Macie Brock) Olson, and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donna is preceded in death by her father and mother, Matt and Shirley Wehr and many loving aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday June 28, 2023, at Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson. A visitation will take place from 1 p.m. until the time of service. The family asks that guests dress casually and wear their favorite Packer gear as Donna was an avid Packer fan. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

The family would like to give special thanks for the medical team at Froedert Hospital for their exceptional care for Donna.

Donations can be made in Donna’s name to Special Olympics or Rainbow Hospice as these were charities close to her heart.

Obituary: Douglas P. Chaulk, 75

Douglas P. Chaulk, age 75, died unexpectedly Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Sanford Canton-Inwood ER.  Memorial services are pending. 

          Doug was born on August 9, 1947 in Milwaukee, WI to Donald and Delores (Raison) Chaulk.  After graduating high school, he attended college for a short time before enlisting in the US Army.  After 6 years of service and two tours in Vietnam, he returned to Wisconsin and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin- Milton.  He married Kathleen Pache. The couple was blessed with a son, Devon.   

          Doug worked in law enforcement his entire career.  He spent 30 years, 28 as a sergeant, for the City of Whitewater, WI.  After his retirement in 2002, he moved to Canton, SD where he worked 14 years as a bailiff and in the 24/7 program for the Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office. 

When not working, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his horses.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and a Green Bay Packer’s stock holder.  

          Doug is survived by his son, Devon (Jenna) Chaulk and grandson, Kayden Chaulk.  He was preceded in death by his parents.  www.andersonandsonsfh.com

Obituary: Ardella Leola Shepherd, 91

Ardella Leola Shepherd, 91, of Whitewater, WI passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Cedar Crest in Janesville.

Ardella was born on October 12, 1931 in Gotham, WI, the daughter of Leonard and Violet (Sherman) Wilson. She married Beauford Shepherd on June 2, 1962.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading books and going to casinos.

She is survived by her eleven children Bonnie (Bob) Magee of Pound, Pat Snorek(Larry) of West Allis, Fred (Kim) Snorek of Oostburg, Doug (Deb) Snorek of Florence, AZ, Rory (Jean) Shepherd of Whitewater, Michael (Terri) Shepherd of Milton, Sandra Gaffner of Milton, Betty Jo (Dan) Mattrisch of Fort Atkinson, Bobbi Jo (Trent) Dahlke of Waterloo, Billie Jo (Darin) Olp of Whitewater, Wanda (Jennifer) Shepherd of Whitewater, 19 Grandchildren, 32 Great-grandchildren & 2 Great-great-grandchildren, brother Darrell (Linda) Wilson. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Beauford Shepherd, son Jerry Snorek, son-in-law Kevin Gaffner, two sisters, Evelyn Johnson, Eleanor Wilmot, three brothers, Leonard Wilson Jr., Gordon Wilson and Clayton Wilson Sr.

A memorial visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mercy Hospice staff and Cedar Crest staff for their exceptional care for Ardella.

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.