Obituaries

Update 5/1/24 @ 4:50 p.m.: The location for the luncheon has been corrected.

Keith Leonard Thayer found peace on April 27, 2024, at home after a courageous three-year battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer that metastasized into his bones; he later developed stage 1 lung cancer.

He was born to Leonard and Marion Thayer on November 25^th, 1957. Keith grew up in Lima Center and was from the wrong side of the track. Marcie, his future wife, walked down daily after they met.

Keith and Marcie Mulrooney were married on June 21^st, 1980, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milton, WI. They had celebrated their 43^rd wedding anniversary.

Although he did not graduate from high school, he was gifted with common sense. He earned his GED at age 45. In his younger days, Keith played Men’s and Coed softball. He coached Marcie’s Women’s Softball Team (1 year was enough). Keith enjoyed woodworking and made rocking chairs for nieces and nephews. He remodeled his home. Keith and Marcie enjoyed playing euchre and belonged to a card club. Keith was a Good Samaritan, changing your flat tire or pushing you out of the ditch. Keith loved his family and revered his parents. He enjoyed the elderly and assisted them when he could. He liked to read and watch westerns. He was a great cook and made the best gravy in the world. Keith never passed a dog without scritching it. He water skied and snow skied until his health declined. He never complained about his pain; he just bulled on. He was an avid pheasant hunter and trained his dogs to be excellent hunters. He loved to travel and had fond memories of a trip to Plentywood, MT pheasant hunting with his father, brother, brothers-in-law, other family and friends and his dog Logan.

Keith worked various construction and printing jobs. At his last job, he operated a C&C machine for Wood Products.

Keith is survived by his wife, Marcie, his brother Gary (Susan), sisters Kay (Mike Coleman), Jan (Ralph Wussow), and Chris (Bob Ide). His in-laws include Tess Mulrooney (Paul Eastwood), Pam (Jim Kennedy), Dave (Holly) Mulrooney. He had many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great greats. His four goddaughters: Shella Thompson, Cassandra Anderson, Shannon Kennedy, and Alicia Markham. Keith is further survived by his dogs Willie and Waylon.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leonard and Marion, in-laws, Ed and Joy Mulrooney, sister Joyce and brother-in-law Frank Los. He was further predeceased by his dogs Whitefoot, Ginger, MacGregor, Logan, Sullivan, and Kolby.

Special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey McGuire; Dr. James Runo; Dr. Michael Eastman, Dana and the staff at Johnson Creek UW Cancer Center; and the UW Health care team. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the UW Health Pulmonary Unit, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, Agrace Hospice, or the Humane Society of Jefferson County.

Visitation is taking place at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main Street in Whitewater on Friday, May 10 from 10 to 12, with the service immediately following. A luncheon will be served at the Community Room at Blackhawk Manor, 1155 W. Blackhawk Dr., Whitewater, providing more time for gathering after the service.

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

Editor’s note: A Royal Purple article, “Impactful newspaper adviser passes,” regarding Mr. Martino may be found here.

Samuel Clifford Martino

February 5, 1939 — April 20, 2024

DeForest- Sam Martino, 85, passed away on April 20, 2024 from a heart attack while mowing the lawn of his home in DeForest, WI. He was born in Clarksburg, W.Va., the son of Frank and Flora Ann Spino Martino.

Sam was a passionate, award-winning journalist with a love of story-telling that started standing on a street corner in Dearborn, MI hawking newspapers and ended with tweeting. He began his reporting career in high school with the Dearborn Guide and Detroit Times. He received a scholarship to attend Michigan State University where he studied journalism and was state editor for the Lansing State Journal. Following completion of his journalism degree in 1962, he continued the work he began in college with the Associated Press and United Press International (UPI) spanning ten years as a contributing writer to the Washington Post, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor and Capital Times.

Sam’s focus was state, local and regional government, which he covered for several large, regional news organizations. His early reporting included the aborted presidential campaign of Michigan Governor George Romney. While working for the Minneapolis Tribune, he covered the tumultuous Vietnam War protests in Madison, Wisconsin, a takeover of the Wisconsin state assembly and black-student rebellion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was selected for an American Political Science Congressional Fellowship working as press secretary for former Vice President and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey in Washington DC. While working for the Milwaukee Journal, in 1974, he was named Journalist of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists. In 1975, he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and received UPI’s top news writing award for lengthy coverage of the Menominee Indian occupation of the Alexian Brothers novitiate near Gresham, WI. Sam retired from the Milwaukee Journal in 2000, after 27 years of investigative reporting. He then joined the teaching staff at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where, for twelve years, he inspired future journalists and acted as advisor to the student newspaper. He was recognized with a distinguished advisor award and a student award for an instructor “who made a difference ” in students’ lives. Most recently, he continued to rely on his “shoe leather” reporting skills as a regular contributor to the Edgerton Reporter.

Sam served our country as a public information specialist in the Army National Guard including federal duty during the Detroit riots in 1967.

Sam loved the outdoors. He was an active runner completing over 25 marathons, skied the American Birkebeiner multiple times and enjoyed camping and hiking. He is survived by his loving partner, Judy Taritas; his former wife, Mary Lou Payeur Martino; his three children, Anne (Tom), Joseph and Patrick Martino and two beloved grandchildren Sam and Sophie Martino. Sam was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Anthony Martino.

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26 followed by a service at 11 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 323 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Martino Journalism Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater www.uww.edu/give  or by check payable to UW-Whitewater Foundation, noting the Martino Journalism Scholarship. Checks can be sent to UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc., 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190.

In journalism, the number “30” at the end of a news story means the story is finished. Please share your memories of Sam by posting to his guest book at www.cressfuneralservice.com. “30”

Cress Funeral Service, 206 W. Prospect Street, PO Box 231, Stoughton, WI 53589 – (608) 873-9244

BENJAMIN D. RHODES

(November 7, 1936 – April 22, 2024)

Benjamin “Ben” Dagwell Rhodes, 87, of Grosse Pointe, MI, and longtime resident of Whitewater, WI, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother was born in St. Louis, MO. Having spent most of his childhood there and his teen years in Denver, CO, he was an avid lifelong Cardinals fan as well as expert outdoorsman, skier, and mountaineer. 

He climbed all 58 peaks in Colorado above 14,000 feet of elevation, many multiple times. In addition, he climbed Mt Rainier in WA, Mt. Whitney in CA, and the Tetons in Wyoming. He also climbed internationally in Mexico, Peru, Malaysia, The Canadian Rockies, and in Tanzania.

A distinguished scholar, writer, and professor, Mr. Rhodes received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in addition to his Ph.D. all at the University of Colorado Boulder. An author of several highly referenced history books, he was Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, having begun his college teaching career at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI in the mid-1960s. He was also published widely in such journals as Diplomatic History, The Journal of American History, and the Wisconsin Magazine of History.

During his 37-year tenure at UW-W, Rhodes was the recipient of three Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Awards, to teach at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland; Northeast Normal University in Changchun, China; and The National University of Malaysia. In recent years he lectured on cruise ships that took him all over the world.

Classical music was an important part of Ben Rhodes’ life. An audiophile and an accomplished French horn player, he performed as a member of various Denver-based ensembles, including Central City Opera and the City Park Band. He loved attending concerts of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He also loved opera and attended many performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and Seattle Opera. In particular, he was a fan of Wagner and he attended multiple Ring Cycles at Seattle Opera, in Bayreuth, Germany, and in Adelaide, Australia.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Florence (Arbuthnot) Rhodes of Grosse Pointe, MI; a sister, Susan (Rhodes) Brown of Williamstown, MA; two sons: John Rhodes of Seattle, WA and Philip Rhodes of Grosse Pointe, MI; a daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Rhodes) (spouse Robert) DeMaine of Los Angeles, CA; and his grandchildren, Paul and Annette “Annie” DeMaine, both of Los Angeles.

As Ben wished, there will be no memorial service at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Colorado Mountain Club or any of the arts organizations mentioned above.

Patricia Juene Duckworth, 70, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Fort Memorial Hospital.

Patricia was born on June 7, 1953 in Modesto, California to Benjamin and Marilyn (Cooper) Morris. On November 26, 1983 Patricia married Ronald Duckworth and together they raised a son. For many years, Patricia worked as an administrative assistant at Fort Memorial Hospital.

She enjoyed arts and crafts, pottery, and gardening.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Ronald; son, Benjamin; and siblings, Michael Morris, and Melinda Nead.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Marilyn Morris.

The family would like to give special thanks to Bobbie Moultan for being such a great friend and supporter of Patricia.

A memorial service will take place at 4 PM on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Fort Christian Assembly Church. A memorial visitation will take place from 3 PM until the time of 4 PM.

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

Update 4/25/24: A memorial service will take place at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater.  A visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of service.  A burial will follow the memorial service at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

Shirley Lorraine (Drays) Sweno, age 85 of Whitewater, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024. She was born January 8, 1939 to the late William and Lydia (Stork) Drays. Shirley was united in marriage to Howard Sweno Jr. on November 8, 1958 in Whitewater. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. Shirley retired in 2007 from Fairhaven Senior Services after 27 ½ years as their cook.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her daughters, Brenda (Al) Raglin, Denise (Phil) Jones and deeply loved by 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; son, Brent; daughter, Penny Jo; sister, Darlene Lee; brother, Marvin Drays.

Shirley will be remembered by many as the sweetest lady. So many things will come to mind when her loved ones think back. They will remember their many conversations. Whether it be in person or over the phone. Some will remember and miss her ability to give a relaxing and much needed neck and shoulder massage. She loved her family and nothing made her happier than spending time with them.

Memorials will be distributed between these charities or a charity of one’s choice.

•  JCOCC – WIGS Program
  • This program and all of the staff at Studio 8 in Fort Atkinson were part of the healing process when mom was diagnosed in 2015. Shirley and her family are grateful.

• JCHS – Jefferson County Humane Society
  • Mom owned and cared for many animals over the years. They all brought her so much joy.

To mom and grandma:

We miss you terribly but when we see you again, we will go for that walk. Love You

Services to be announced at a later date. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Patricia (Pat) S. Johnson (Welter) passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 with her loving family by her side.

Pat was born on March 24, 1951 in Edgerton, WI., the daughter of Stephen and Florence (Koscyczarek) Welter.

Pat attended Whitewater High School graduating in 1969.  She attended UW-Whitewater.

Pat worked at Schweiger Industries in Jefferson, WI, where she met her first husband Frank Heth.  They had two sons Shane and Todd.

 In 1990 she married Maynard (Skip) Johnson.  They moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Pat was employed by Wal-Mart.  After a number of years in Georgia they returned to Wisconsin to be closer to her sons and grandson and family.  Upon returning to Wisconsin they moved to Stoughton where Pat continued her employment with Wal-Mart in the Human Resources Department.  Pat worked for Wal-Mart for 20 years. 

While in Georgia Pat and Skip enjoyed many wonderful trips into the Georgia mountains.

Pat loved the outdoors; you could always find her in her garden planting flowers, evergreen trees, and listening to the birds.  She found peacefulness and beauty creating new flower beds with stones forming hearts which were her passion; her home was adorned with many hearts.

Pat was a faithful member of Covenant Lutheran Church. She served on the Hospitality committee, Funeral coordinator and volunteered at St. Mark’s church in Madison serving meals to anyone who needed one.  Pat always made sure everyone’s needs were met; even when she could no longer be in the kitchen, she always made sure her family and friends were welcomed.

Pat is survived by her husband Maynard (Skip), Sons Shane (Tracy) Heth, Cambridge, WI., Grandson Max Heth, son Todd Heth, Fitchburg, WI.  Sisters: Stephanie Beran, Fort Atkinson, WI., Barbara Agnew, Green Bay, WI., and Mary Perkins, Shell Lake, WI.  Brother: Marty Welter, Green Bay, WI.

Niece Cindy (Brandon) Pietruszynski, Stoughton, WI.  Nephews: Jay (Sami) Perkins, Hammond, WI., Jon (Nikki) Perkins, Shell Lake, WI.,  Michael (Tiffany) Agnew, Green Bay, WI., and Christopher Agnew, Plymouth, WI.

Great nieces and nephews: Oliver, Samuel and Milo Pietruszynski, Brayden and Olivia Perkins, Ethan, Aleya and Ruby Agnew, Sean and Delaney Agnew.  Many other family and friends and Pat’s faithful companion Dixie.

Preceding her in death were her parents Stephen and Florence Welter.  Maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services will held on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Visitation at 10 a.m. with service at 11 a.m., at Covenant Lutheran Church 1525 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton, WI.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Covenant Lutheran Church, the Children’s Program at Covenant or Rainbow Hospice.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Rainbow Hospice Care, especially Jody, Lisa, Kendra, Debra, Karen and Nicole.  Pastor Wendy for her support, visits and prayers, to Covenant Lutheran Church, family and friends for the outpouring of love, support and prayers Pat received on this difficult journey.

Cress Funeral Home assisted.

Lawrence Edwin Schauder (Larry) of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 79. He was born January 28, 1945, in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Larry graduated from Rhinelander High School and attended classes at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. He took a break to serve two years in the military and returned to UW to graduate in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He established Schauder Building, Inc. in Janesville, Wisconsin in 1974 which was in operation until his retirement in 2008.

He was very active in the South Central Builders Association, and he was the 1989-1990 President of the Wisconsin Builders Association. His many outdoor interests included golfing, hunting (especially duck), boating, fishing, snow skiing, and listening and dancing to music. He especially loved being on or near the water and driving fast boats.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edwin; mother, Ruth; and sister, Sandi Larson.

He is survived by his wife, Amy; sister, Jill Schauder; son Brandt Schauder (Kim); daughter, Brooke Schauder (Eduardo Ribeiro); granddaughter, Emily Schauder; nephews Brian Schauder (Lisa), Chris Larson, and Chad Larson (Maribel); and former spouse, Bonnie Schauder.

Larry requested that his ashes be spread over “any body of water.” Various family members will do so at his favorite locations. No memorial service will be held. Condolences and memories are gladly accepted online at www.robersonfh.com. Donations may be made to the American Legion, 2101 Taylor Rd., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 or online.

Larry will be remembered as someone ready with a laugh and a smile, for his quick wit, creativity, huge personal presence, and drive to succeed. He will be greatly missed.

Donald Lee “Donny” Deegan, 76, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024 after a short stay at Alden Estates of Jefferson.

Donny was born on October 19, 1947 to Daniel and Ada (Fitzpatrick) Deegan. He was raised in a family of 13 children and was very close to all of his siblings. Donny worked many years in construction, mostly roofing, until he had to retire due to health issues.

Donny spent his whole life fishing and hunting. He was such a marksman that he once saw a buck while driving down the road, pulled over and parked, aimed his gun and hit the buck without hesitation. Above all, Donny enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Donny is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter, Dawn; sisters, Betty, Mary, Rose; brothers, Louie, Danny, Ron; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and many special friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Ada Deegan; and six siblings.

A memorial service at 11 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at First English Lutheran Church. A memorial visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Alden Estates and Rainbow hospice staff for the care they gave Donny.

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

Teta Hoerman, of Antigo, died peacefully on April 15, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by her family. She was 74 years old. She was born on December 24, 1949 in Whitewater, a daughter of Donald and Dora “Pat” (O’Connor) Platner. She married Dale Pellmann; they had three children. The couple later divorced. She married James Hoerman on June 12, 1992; he preceded her in death on November 16, 2014.

Teta graduated from Whitewater High School in 1968. She was employed at Schweiger Furniture in Jefferson for over 20 years. She then received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and her Master’s in Education from Viterbo University.  Mrs. Hoerman taught special education at East Elementary in Antigo for 22 years.

She was a member of St. John Catholic Church in Antigo. She enjoyed her flower gardens and antiquing, but her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include three children, Patty (Darwin DeClark) Pellmann, Stacy (Randy) Fermanich and Cory (Meghan) Pellmann all of Antigo; eight grandchildren, Natasha, Xavier and Callista Fermanich, Jessup, Tavia and Delaney DeClark, Rhys and Sawyer Pellmann; five sisters, Janet Bishop of Janesville, Mary O’Connor of South Milwaukee, Sue (Dennis) Latini of Chiefland, FL, Ann Wood of Chiefland, FL, and Nancy Platner of Edgerton; five brothers, Tim (Donna) Platner of Green Bay, Nic (Linda) Platner of Whitewater, Dik (Sharon) Platner of Whitewater, Sam (Inna) Platner of Laguna Niguel, CA, and Dan Platner of Madison; and special friends, Jackie and Roseanne. She held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son and brother-in-law, Ronnie Wood.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20, at 12 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will take place at a later date at the Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater.

The family would like to thank all the amazing medical staff who worked with Teta throughout the years. Special thank you to Dr. McKenna, the staff at Wausau Aspirus ICU and Palliative Care.

Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.