Obituaries

Thomas W. Duda, age 79, went to the arms of his loving Lord on January 18th, 2025.

He grew up in a northwest suburb of Chicago, Arlington Heights, and attended Prospect High School. There, he was a sports editor of the school newspaper, The Prospector, a member of the Biology Club, Latin Club and Debate Club. In Des Plaines, IL, he worked at First National Bank as a teller. This is where he met his loving wife of 50 years, Maureen, who came in as a customer. Tom then went to work for the Chicago Tribune as an advertising editor.

He loved classical music and played the piano beautifully. He was also known to sing on occasion. Chess was his favorite game to play, and he enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears. For his wife, he would also watch the Chicago White Sox.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Frances Duda (Wagnercyn) of Arlington Heights, IL. Tom is survived by his wife, Maureen Duda (O’Grady); Daughter, Patty Stefaniak; Grandchildren, David, and Jessica Stefaniak; Great-Grandchildren, Catherine and Finnegan Day.

A private service will be held at Mulberry Campus – Memory Care, on Saturday, January 25th. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Tom and the care and love that they gave him, please make a donation to Mulberry Campus in Whitewater, WI.

Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Dolores Ann Engel, 92, Whitewater, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 at The View in Johnson Creek, WI.

Dolores was born on June 14, 1932 in Greenville, OH to Carl and Ellen (Neal) Prasuhn. She met her future husband, Ernest “Fritz” Engel while working as a departmental secretary in the anatomy department at Michigan State University. They would have celebrated their 73rd anniversary this year. Dolores and Fritz moved to Whitewater in 1957 where she assisted Fritz with his
veterinary practice. She was an award-winning photographer. Dolores enjoyed traveling and taking classes at the University, flower gardening, and was a good cook and a great mother to her three sons.

She is survived by her husband Ernest Engel, Whitewater; sons Thomas (Denise) Engel, Bovey, MN and Timothy (Penny) Engel, Glenwood City, WI, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Eric, and brother, Lloyd Prasuhn.

Per Dolores’s wishes, there will be no services at this time.

Candace Lea Roeker, age 73, of Portage, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Tivoli Community in Portage.

Candace was born on August 10, 1951, in Whitewater, the daughter of Harvey and Elaine Kuhnke (Hopp). She attended UW Whitewater, graduating with a degree in education in 1973. After graduation she began teaching special education in Portage. Candy earned her master’s in special education in 1980. She worked for 33 years in the Portage school district helping hundreds of students, retiring in 2006.

After retirement, Candy helped to establish the River Haven homeless shelter in Portage and volunteered there for several years helping women and families. Helping people was a life-long passion for Candy. Candy enjoyed dancing, including clogging, singing karaoke, golfing, traveling and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband Donald Roeker; children, Will (Leslie) Trojanowski, Scott (Adam Olson) Trojanowski, and Keith (Cassie) Trojanowski; step-children, Julie Prudom and Eric Roeker; her grandchildren, Nicholas Trojanowski, Lucas Trojanowski, Noah Trojanowski, Jacob Prudom, Austin Prudom, and Brandon Roeker; her brother, Joseph Kuhnke; her sister, Susan (Jeff) Homan; her brother-in- law, Paul Roemer; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her
sister, Alice Roemer; her sister-in-law, Mae Kuhnke; and her former husband, Jerold Trojanowski.

Visitation and Service will be at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on January 24th, 2025. Visitation from 9:30 AM-11:30 AM with service at 11:30. There will be a luncheon to follow at the KC Hall Portage.

The family would like to thank Dr. Susan Kreckman and the staff of Tivoli Community and Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital for their care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to River Haven Homeless Shelter.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage (www.pmmfh.com), is assisting the family.

June Gnatzig, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2025, at Mulberry Glen in her hometown of Whitewater, WI.

June was born on June 24, 1929, to Mary (Voight) Stelse and Gustave Stelse. June married Roger Gnatzig on January 21, 1951, in Whitewater, WI. June worked at Franklin Junior High for most of her working life. She was a proud servant member of the First United Methodist Church for over 70 years where she enjoyed preparing meals for celebrations, funerals and activities. In addition, she loved participating in her Church Circle and teaching Sunday School.

June loved baking and cooking for her family and friends, watching her soap operas, 2-mile walks-well into her 90’s, reading, doing puzzles, watching her sons’ sporting events and then her grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. Everyone knew the best place to be during the holidays—“snitching the widest variety of homemade Christmas treats from the three-season porch cookie table!”

June enjoyed infinite time with loved ones.

June is survived by Sons: Hugh (Susan) Gnatzig, Larry (Deborah) Gnatzig, Brian (Sam) Gnatzig, Brent (Pat) Gnatzig. Grandchildren: Vanessa (Danny) Byrd, Daniel (Elizabeth) Gnatzig, Gina (Corey) Meredith, Caroline (Bobby) Gonzales, Amber (Kirkland) Rivers, Lyndsey (Kyle) Serres, Abby Gnatzig and Kelsey Gnatzig and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary (Voight) Stelse, Gustave Stelse and her brothers Loren Stelse and Verson Stelse.

A visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, WI on January 27, 2025, from 10:30 am– 12:00 pm with service to follow. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the Family with arrangements.

A heartfelt thank you to Rainbow Hospice, the staff at Mulberry Glen and Patty Tarpley.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Whitewater Fire Department.

You will live in our hearts forever. We love you. Online condolences may be made at nitardyfuneralhome.com

Dr. Chilukuri Rao, 88, of Whitewater, passed away December 26, 2024, at a local care facility. A memorial visitation for Dr. Rao will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 North Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI.

Dr. George Harold Seeburger, 89, of Lake Mills passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Lilac Springs Assisted Living in Lake Mills.

George was born on July 20, 1935 in Phillips, Wisconsin to George and Nellie (Knight) Seeburger.  He graduated from Phillips High School and received an undergraduate degree from UW Stevens Point and went on to earn his PhD from the University of Georgia Athens. He was a biology professor at UW Whitewater up until his retirement.

George married Nancy Carole Skalitzky on November 6, 1959 in Waukegan, Illinois. Nancy passed on November 13, 2021.  They enjoyed traveling to Rockport, Texas, where they were snowbirds for thirty years.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing in Phillips and yearly trips to Canada,

George is survived by his children, Mark Seeburger of Menomonie; Kurt (Linda) Seeburger of Lake Mills; granddaughter, Ashley Seeburger of Janesville; siblings, James Seeburger of Tyler, TX, Phil Seeburger of San Marcos, CA; many nieces and nephews.

At this time, no formal services for George are arranged.

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

William J. “Bill” West, 75, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.

Bill was born on September 8, 1949 to John and Bessie (Sutherland) West in Fort Atkinson. He worked at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater for twelve years.

Bill enjoyed watching the Packers and NASCAR.

He is survived by his girlfriend, Sandy Hahn; and many friends and family.

A memorial visitation will take place on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 11 AM until 1 PM at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Inurnment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com