Obituaries

Ethel M. Herold, age 81, of Beaver Dam, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Beaver Dam Health Care Center.

Visitation for Ethel will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Deacon Ed Cody officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

Ethel was born on January 24, 1943, at home, in the Town of Westford, Dodge County, Wisconsin to Louis and Sarah (Hepp) Dronek. She graduated from Randolph High School in 1961. On September 16, 1967, she was united in marriage with Ronald Herold at St. Michael Catholic Church in Beaver Dam. Ethel enjoyed dancing in her younger years, especially the Polka. She enjoyed her flower gardens and particularly enjoyed her favorite flower, the calla lilies. Ethel was a faithful listener of both WBEV and WXRO through the years; she always enjoyed John and Bill when they were on the radio. Ethel was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish and had been active in serving funeral luncheons at St. Michael Church.

Survivors include her husband, Ronald Herold; two sons, Robert (Carol) Herold and Roger Herold (Loukia Alafogianis), both of Whitewater; two grandchildren, Amanda Herold (Jeff Hessburg) of Idaho and Kelsey Herold (fiancé Jordan Reilly) of Whitewater; her sister, Virginia Niehoff of Randolph; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Howard Drzonek, Earl Drzonek, and Raymond Drzonek; and three sisters, Beatrice Hanson, Ella Baerwolf, and Agnes Derrick.

The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. www.KoepsellFH.com

Betty E. Heth, 87, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Fairhaven Senior Living in Whitewater.

Betty was born on January 16, 1937 in Whitewater, Wisconsin to Sidney and Mary Belle (Pollock) Hackett. Betty grew up on her family’s farm. Betty attended Whitewater High School, and shortly after high school she attended the Whitewater Teacher’s College.

Betty married Dale Arthur Heth on May 4, 1958 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Together they had one Son, Steven.

Betty was a fabulous baker, and took pride in everything she made. Betty was a baker at the University of Whitewater for many years.

Throughout her life Betty enjoyed many things. She loved her birds (especially cardinals), nature, canasta, and her family and friends. Betty was a member of the Whitewater Homemakers club.

Betty is survived by her Daughter-In-Law Valerie (Art Bain) Heth, Granddaughter Monica (Andy) Schwarm, Great-Granddaughter Ada, Nephews Ron Hull and David (Dita) Maasz, and Nieces Barbara Hull and Dorothy (Mark) Prouty.

Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband Dale Heth, her parents Mary Belle (Pollock) and Sidney Hackett, sister Marilynn Hull, and her son Steven Heth.

A private Memorial Service for Betty will take place at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Fairhaven Senior Living. Betty’s Memorial Service is only open to immediate family and Fairhaven residents. After the service, Betty will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater. 

A special Thank You to all the staff at Fairhaven Senior Living for all the exceptional and great care you have shown Betty throughout her time at Fairhaven.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made out to Rainbow Hospice Care.

Betty will be sorely missed by many.

…

James R. Dietzman, 85, of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.

Born on January 22, 1939, in Beloit, Wisconsin, son of the late James and Murial (Bush) Dietzman. He and his siblings faced the world together after being orphaned at a young age.

Despite never learning to read, James’s adventurous spirit led him to a colorful life that included joining the circus and later dedicating 20 years of service to Douglas Aircraft, followed by time at Chicago Motors. In his fifties, he discovered a passion for driving trucks, traversing the country’s highways.

James’s interests were as eclectic as his career path. He was an avid rock collector who crafted beautiful jewelry, a hobby that brought him great satisfaction. His love for bluegrass music was only matched by his devotion to listening to the word of God and spreading the good news. James’s kindness and friendly demeanor were the hallmarks of his faith-filled life.

An adventurer at heart, James learned to fly airplanes, owned three hot air balloons, and cherished memories of traveling Route 66 in his station wagon. His huge heart and the joy he found in simple pleasures left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

James R. Dietzman’s legacy is one of kindness, friendship, and an unwavering faith that inspired everyone he met. He will be dearly missed.

James is survived by his sister-in-law, Gladys Dietzman and other family members. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Dietzman.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Brookdale Manor, 1061 W. Blackhawk Drive, Whitewater, WI 53190. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of service.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Wava Jean Nelson, 95, of Kenosha (formerly of Whitewater) passed away on Sunday, May 12th, 2024 at Advocate Aurora Hospital in Kenosha.

Wava Jean was born on June 22, 1928 in Baraboo, Wisconsin to Kenneth Weinke and Zona Scott (Gardner). She graduated from Wonewoc High School in 1946 and was the valedictorian of her class. Wava Jean enrolled at UW-Whitewater (known as the WI State Teachers College at the time) and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Education in 1950. On June 18, 1950 Wava Jean married Wesley Nelson (of Whitewater) in Reedsburg, Wisconsin and together they raised a son. For many years, Wava Jean was the city clerk of Whitewater from 1962-1994.

Wava Jean was a member of the United Methodist Church in Whitewater. She was also a member/treasurer of the Rock River Thresheree Association

Since 1994, Wava Jean had been writing her autobiography, to present time filled with memories and stories from her life. Wava Jean loved to write letters and reminisce with friends and family on the phone. She loved to watch old movies and TV shows and was an avid reader.

Wava Jean is survived by her son, Scott (Geri) Nelson of Lake Villa, IL; grandchildren, Benjamin (Brooklynn) Nelson of West Bend, WI, Elaina Nelson of Rantoul, IL; brothers, Robert Scott of McFarland, WI, Craig (Norma) Scott of New Richmond, WI; along many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Elmer and Mary Elnora Gardner, Martha Weinke; parents, Kenneth Weinke and Zona Scott; stepfather, Harry Scott; husband, Wesley Nelson; brothers, Richard Scott, Kenneth Hammond; and sisters-in-law, Ann Scott, and Marlys Scott as well as aunts, Gladys Matitz and Evelyn Hepp.

Funeral services will take place at 12 PM on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of service. A burial will follow funeral services immediately at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Scott E. Willson, 71, of Palmyra, WI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Sunset Ridge Memory Care, Jefferson, WI.

Scott was born on October 15, 1952 at the Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital, son of Neil and Marjorie (Frank) Willson. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm and graduated from Palmyra High School. After high school, Scott continued his education at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Scott worked as a sales rep for the majority of his working career for the Bendix Corporation. His outgoing and friendly demeanor helped him to go on to have a successful career until his retirement in the late 1990’s. Scott enjoyed his work and the interactions with his customers and the traveling that came with his position. He could always tell you the good places to eat and visit in a number of different cities across the country. After retiring, Scott helped take care of his mother during her final year and made sure that her needs were met. His giving and considerate nature also extended to his siblings, nieces and nephews. He always remembered to send cards or find unique gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and graduations. Scott put others before himself. This trait was exemplified when honored with a plaque for his heroism after saving a herd of cattle from a barn fire. While on his way home from a work trip in the middle of the night, he saw fire and smoke rising from a barn and took action to wake the sleeping farmer and release the cattle from the barn filled with smoke. Scott never hesitated to help a friend, family member or stranger in need. He will be sincerely missed by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by: his siblings, Robert (Cheryl) Willson of Elkhorn, and Bonnie Willson of Palmyra; his nieces and nephews, Lance Willson of Appleton, Daniel Willson of Palmyra, Valerie Willson of Whitewater, Stephanie (Craig) Pagenkopf of Sullivan, and John (Teresa) Willson of Las Vegas, NV. Scott is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, David and Michael.

A Memorial Service to honor Scott’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Palmyra, WI. Visitation will take place at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of service. A reception will be held at the church after the service. Scott will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery of Palmyra, WI at a later date.

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

Cheryl E. Watson

November 26, 1957 — April 19, 2024

Cheryl E. Watson, age 66, of Larwill, IN, passed away at 11:13 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.  Born on November 26, 1957, in Fort Atkinson, WI, she was the daughter of Dewey and Laura (Darlington) Lilly.

Cheryl attended Whitewater High School in Whitewater, WI, and graduated with the Class of 1976.  On June 11, 1983, she married Daniel Watson in Fort Atkinson, WI.  They moved to Indiana in 1986 and settled in their current home of Larwill in 1988.

Cheryl worked as a customer service representative at Lake City Bank for 17 years before her retirement in 2018.  She enjoyed cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Survivors include her husband Dan Watson of Larwill; daughters DeAnna (Mitchell) Watson-Fireoved of Fort Wayne and Darcy (Aaron) Gaff of Columbia City; five grandchildren; sisters Lyn (Daniel) Beighley of Boise, ID and Terrina (Gary) Folk of Green Bay, WI.

She was preceded in death by her parents Dewey and Laura Lilly, infant sister Dreama Lilly, son Jason Watson, and sisters Jewel O’Hanlon and Dawn Zittlow.

A memorial gathering for Cheryl’s family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

A celebration of life service in memory of Cheryl will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions in memory of Cheryl may be made to Indiana Donor Network.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.

Edith I. McElroy (nee Rye) passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on October 23, 1932, on her parents’ farm in Johnstown Township, Rock County, WI, the daughter of Ralph and Clara (Duoss) Rye.

Edith graduated from Whitewater High School (class of 1950), The National Louis University – College of Education (class of 1954), in Evanston, IL, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. In her undergraduate program, her clinical & student-teaching experiences were at Jane Addam’s Hull House Settlement School, Chicago, IL. All totaled, her elementary teaching career in the primary grades spanned across five decades at East Troy, Pardeeville, and Portage Schools.
Edith married B. Wayne McElroy on September 7, 1957, at Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI. They made their home on Wayne’s farm in Marcellon Township, Pardeeville, WI. Sadly after only twelve years of marriage, Wayne passed away on October 6, 1969, leaving Edith to raise their two young girls.

Edith is survived by daughters Lois (Terry) Lindell, Donna Nadosy, granddaughter Laura Nadosy (Alex Spurley), the newest love of her life – her great-grandson Gus, sister-in-law Linda Rye, niece Jennifer (Jason) Zenda, and great-nephew Ian. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, and a sister, in infancy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m. at the Portage Presbyterian Church with Pastor Dave Hankins officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Following the service there will be a time for fellowship and a light luncheon. Burial of the cremains will take place at the Marcellon Cemetery, rural Pardeeville (Hwy 44, three miles east of Pardeeville).

Memorials may be made to the Portage Presbyterian Church or Agrace Hospice Foundation, Madison, WI.

Kratz Funeral Home, Portage, Wisconsin is assisting the family.

Anna Marie Jacobs of Waukesha was born to Eternal Life on Sunday, May 5, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 70. She was born in Fort Atkinson, WI on April 18, 1954 the daughter of Joseph and Ida (nee Poulsen) Fitzgerald and grew up in Whitewater. On August 11, 1973 she married her devoted husband, Glenn at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Anna worked for many years as the Juvenile Court Clerk for the City of Waukesha Police Department. She loved cooking, baking, a delicious Friday Fish Fry, and a good Old Fashioned. Her number one priority and greatest joy in life was being a mother and she was the best. She cherished every moment with her family and delighted in spending time with her grandchildren. Each Christmas season Anna gifted special ornaments to her family, a treasure that will forever be a remembrance of her unwavering love and kindness for all future Christmases.

She is loved and will be forever missed by her husband of 50 years, Glenn and their three children, Jennifer Hagelee of Woodbury, MN, Jeffrey Jacobs of Minneapolis, and Jeremy (Alyssa) Jacobs of College Station, TX; her grandchildren, Christian and Kellen Hagelee and Beau Anna and Fitzgerald Jacobs and Baby Jacobs due very soon. She is further survived by her brother, Leo (Mary) Fitzgerald, sister-in-law Cel Fitzgerald, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Fitzgerald and sister Susan (Edward) Weinburger.

Visitation for Anna will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Visitation will continue at St. Mary Catholic Church, 225 S. Hartwell Avenue in Waukesha on Monday, May 13^th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral Mass. Private family burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Anna’s name are appreciated to the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin (https://www.dsaw.org/donate2) or to the Special Olympics, (https://www.specialolympics.org/donate).

Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, Crematory and Preplanning Services is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or visit our website at www.randledable.com for directions or to leave the family an online tribute message.

Suzanne L. Preuschl, age 67, of Beloit, died Saturday April 27, 2024, at Beloit Memorial Hospital. She was born April 27, 1957, to Richard and Carrie “Bette” (White) LaBonne in Madison, WI. Suzanne graduated from Whitewater High School in 1975. She married Mark E. Preuschl on August 22, 1981, in Whitewater. Suzanne touched many lives, while working in her many roles at a variety of local credit unions, until her retirement in 2021. She was funny, mischievous, generous with her time, a great judge of character and always willing to help others. Suzanne loved music, singing & dancing. She also loved movies, books & reading. Most of all, Suzie loved her family and was truly proud of their professional accomplishments. Suzanne will be remembered for donating her stem cells, saving the life of her sister, Barb.

She is survived by her husband Mark Preuschl of Beloit; her son, Adric (Diana) Preuschl; her two sisters, Barbara LaBonne & Nancy (Steve) Borst; and many friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dan LaBonne.

She was the glue that bound us.

She was the rock that kept us grounded.

She was the wisdom that made us whole.

The void she leaves will forever fill our hearts with memories.

Suzanne’s Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday May 8, 2024, in the BRIAN MARK FUNERAL HOME, 1000 Inman Parkway, Beloit. Family & friends will be received on Wednesday in the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established in her name. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on our website.

BRIAN MARK FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE

1000 Inman Park Avenue, Beloit, WI 608-362-2000

www.brianmarkfh.com

Florence H. Pape, age 105, of Whitewater and longtime resident of Little Prairie, WI passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater.

Florence was born on October 5, 1918 in the Town of Eagle, WI the youngest child of Frederick and Harriet (Watson) Kuhl. She grew up in the village of Little Prairie and attended high school in Milwaukee while living with her sister, Edith. After completing her schooling, Florence was united in marriage to Arthur E. Pape and the two were blessed with a son, Robert. The family moved around for Arthur’s work, mostly in the Midwest. The family eventually moved to Little Prairie, WI where Florence grew up. Florence remained in the Little Prairie area for the vast majority of her years. She enjoyed nature and the rural country where she lived. She liked to go for walks in the woods, bird-watch, and hunt for mushrooms. The most important thing in Florence’s life was her family. She was a loving wife and mother and she will be sincerely missed by those she leaves behind.

She is survived by her son Robert (Esty) Pape of Tucson, AZ and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband, Arthur E. Pape and her 5 siblings, Edith, Floyd, Howard, Glenn, and Earl.

Per Florence’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

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