Obituaries

Teresa M. Messier, 59, passed away on December 14, 2019

Teresa M. Messier, 59, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 14, 2019, at the Rainbow Hospice Center in Johnson Creek, with her loved ones by her side. Terry was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, on October 31, 1960 to Blaine and Shirley Messier. From that time forward, Terry, who was one of her Grandma Messier’s favorite grandchildren, acquired many nicknames, one of which was “pumpkin.”

Terry was considered a tomboy during her younger years, and one time broke her arm while using her swing set as a piece of gymnastics equipment. Terry had a great interest in cars, and as a High School student, Terry began working at Frawley Oil in Whitewater. After she graduated from Whitewater High School in 1979, Terry continued to work for the family she had become so close to until 2015, when she was diagnosed with an uncommon form of Parkinson’s disease, and was no longer able to work. Terry was a homebody, and took great pride in her cooking. Terry had an insatiable sweet tooth. To receive a plate of her homemade cookies was a treat indeed. Terry also enjoyed spending time with her many close friends.

Terry was preceded in death by her father, Blaine Messier, and her very dear friend, Vern Koch. Terry is survived by her life partner, Ron Thomas of Fort Atkinson; her Mother, Shirley Messier of Whitewater; two sisters, Michele Smith (Bill Smith) of Whitewater; and Karen Messier (Mark Simdon) of Fort Atkinson; and one niece, Alaina Smith (Jason Barajas) of Whitewater. Terry is also survived by numerous friends who have supported her immensely during her illness.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rainbow Hospice and Visiting Angels. A special thank you is also extended to Bud Jones of Whitewater, who was instrumental in transporting Terry to her numerous Doctor appointments in Madison, and to Carol Messier of Fort Atkinson, who spent countless hours helping Terry with every-day tasks. The volunteers made dealing with her debilitating disease much easier to bear.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. Per Terry’s request, there will be no formal service. A small graveside burial service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Melendys Prairie Cemetery in Eagle, Wisconsin.

Marilyn (Mike) Taylor (born Marilyn Jane Wiemer) died on Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Marilyn (Mike) Taylor (born Marilyn Jane Wiemer) died surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. She was born in Burlington, WI on March 19, 1932 to Carolyn and Raymond Wiemer. At 18, she married her high school sweetheart, Merwyn (Mert) Taylor and moved to the family farm where they raised five children. They were later blessed with 16 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly.

Marilyn loved refinishing furniture, gardening, and sewing, but most of all quilting. It was her passion. When she ran out of children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to give her quilts to, she donated them to people she never met and would never know. She was thrilled to see photos of Columbian children waking up from surgery wrapped in one of her quilts.

She was a quiet woman of great patience, gentle kindness, and self-giving. We are all richer for her loving example.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Mert, sister, Joyce Zimmerman, children, Dianne (Dick) Dunham, Sally (Steve) Watson, Donna (Scott) Allenstein, Steve (Chelli) Taylor, Frank (Lisa) Taylor, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, December 7 at Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater. Visitation begins at 10:00 with service at 11:00. Burial will follow at the LaGrange cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Milwaukee Medical Mission.

Special thanks for the kindness of the emergency room staff at Mercy Hospital, Janesville.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Jean Marie Leedham, 86, a long-time resident of Whitewater, died on Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Jean Marie Leedham, 86, a long-time resident of Whitewater, died on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Fairhaven Senior Services.

Jean was born on April 22, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Cajus Elsworth and Nina (Gist) Leedham.  She received a degree in Christian Education and Psychology from National College in Kansas City, MO.  She furthered her education at the University of Kansas with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.  Jean was a psychiatric social worker for 40 years in the Chicago area.  She retired to the Whitewater community in 2000.  Jean was a life-long Methodist and participated in many ministries at First United Methodist Church, Whitewater.  She served on the Resident Council at Fairhaven and as a board member for the League of Women Voters.  She was a prolific reader, enjoying world history, religion and psychology and biographies.  Jean was preceded in death by her parents and life-long friend Winona Campbell.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 10:30 in the Fairhaven Fellowship Hall at 435 W. Starin Rd., Whitewater, WI. with Rev. Susan Bresser officiating. In lieu of flowers you may wish to consider memorials to the First United Methodist Church or to the Fairhaven Foundation.  Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Ismael “Mike” Aranda, 22, Whitewater passed away on November 24, 2019

Ismael “Mike” Aranda, 22, Whitewater passed away on November 24, 2019.

Mike was born on October 26, 1997 in Fort Atkinson to Martin and Maria Antonia (Villegas) Aranda.  He graduated from Whitewater High School.

Ismael “Mike” Aranda

Mike was very respectful and hardworking, and family and friends were very important to him.  He liked working on cars and worked at Basin Precision Machining, which he enjoyed a great deal.  He had plans for his future and was getting ready to buy a house.  Everyone around him loved him a lot.  He was a very good man.

Mike is survived by his parents,Martin Aranda and Maria Villegas; two sisters; Brenda and Marisol; brother-in-law, Rosember;  niece, Isabel; and two nephew, Gabriel and Leonardo. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 at 11:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190.  A visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:00am until the time of the service.  Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Whitewater.  

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Robert Howard Wright, age 100, of Whitewater, died November 12, 2019

Robert Howard Wright, age 100, died November 12, 2019 at Fairhaven in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He
was born in Chicago, IL October 12, 1919 to Howard B and Mary A (Ramsgard) Wright. He grew up in
Glen Ridge, NJ. He attended Cornell University and was also involved in Army ROTC. In 1942, after
graduation, he was enlisted in the Army as a First Lieutenant. After boot camp, he married Connie Mae
Hollister on August 18 in her parents’ home in Painted Post, NY. He was stationed in Fort Sill, OK where
he taught new recruits shooting techniques. He went to Denton TX for a short time before being
shipped to England in 1944. He spent the rest of his service time fighting in WWII in Europe. He was in
Belgium when the war ended.


After the war, he worked for the US Graphite Company while living in Syracuse NY with his wife and 2
daughters. After 4 years, he was transferred to Wisconsin, settling in Pewaukee. He eventually started
his own business as a sales representative. He retired in 1988 and so moving to a cabin on the
Millecoquins River in Naubinway, MI in the upper Peninsula.


In 1989, he met up with Marguerite (Powell) Asher whom he had known for a long time in Pewaukee.
They were married in October, 1989 and he eventually settled Royal Oak, MI where Marguerite and her
daughter, Elizabeth were living. They had a wonderful time together, wintering in Florida until
Marguerite died in 2001. He had become close to his stepdaughter, Elizabeth Asher, and they decided
to live together. They eventually moved to Whitewater, WI in 2002 as that was where Marguerite and
Elizabeth’s roots were. Many winters were spent in Naples, FL.


He was an avid golfer and didn’t mind sharing his secrets with Elizabeth and daughter, Sandy. He also
was an accomplished watercolor artist starting lessons at age 50. His works are displayed at Elizabeth’s
condo and with other family members. Bob was a gentle, kind soul who was revered by all of his
extended family and community members. He was smart and influential with those who would listen
and take his advice. His quick wit kept all laughing.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard B and Mary A (Ramsgard) Wright, his first wife
Connie M (Hollister) Wright, and second wife, Marguerite (Powell) Wright, his 2 sisters, Dorothy (Wright)
Hockenberger Galley of Oconomowoc and Michigan, and Barbara J (Wright) Fisher of NJ and N. Carolina.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra L (Wright) Schaefer of Hot Springs Village, AR, Connie Jean
Wright of Tomah, WI and stepdaughter, Elizabeth M Asher of Whitewater, WI, and his two Grandsons of
Minneapolis, MN: Bradley John and Bruce Robert Berge. Elizabeth was his caregiver for many years as
his health declined. She was his social partner for 18 years and is credited, in part, for his long, enjoyable
life.


There will be no ceremony at this time. His ashes were buried in Hillside Cemetery. There will be a
service in the spring, to include Military Honors.


The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI assisted the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Arthur “Art” Speerbrecher, 75, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

Arthur “Art” Speerbrecher, 75, Whitewater passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.

Art was born on January 19, 1944 in Milwaukee, WI to Robert and Edith (Seignemartin) Speerbrecher. He graduated from Greendale High School. Art served his country in the United States Coast Guard from 1963-1967. On June 1, 1968 he married Susie Rudolph and they started their life in East Troy, WI. Art was employed with UPS and later with JC Penney as a maintenance supervisor in their distribution centers. He was a member and past president of the Tichigan and Whitewater Lions Club. Art enjoyed hunting and working with his dogs. He also liked sailing, swimming, canoeing and being outdoors. Family was very important to Art and he made time to be with them.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Susie of Whitewater; children Tammy (Calvin) Tomomitsu, Whitewater, Mark (Tracy) Speerbrecher, Whitewater; grandchildren Nicole, Zach and CJ Tomomitsu and Taylor Speerbrecher; sisters Gretchen (David) Boyer, West Allis, WI and Edie Mae (Jon) Wells of Garnar, NC. and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Robin Roderick and Nancy Millard.

A Memorial Service with military rites will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the church from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Richard William Landsee, 73, Whitewater, passed away on Wednesday November 6, 2019

RICHARD WILLIAM LANDSEE 9/8/1946 – 11/6/2019 To say Rich was the nicest guy you’ll ever meet is an understatement. He was a devoted husband, family man and friend. He loved to tease people and if you knew him for very long, he probably assigned a nick name to you in a funny and loving way.

Richard was born to Frank and Violet (Thomsen) Landsee, had two brothers- the late Frank Landsee, Jr (Maria) and Douglas (Nancy). Rich grew up on the southside of Milwaukee, attended South Division High School, married me, Roberta (Bobby, please) Minorik in 1968 and we started off on our life’s journey. He began the police academy in the fall of 1968 but with our first Christmas cards that year, he received his draft notice. He served 2 years – most of his tour was in Germany, where I joined him and we had many adventures during that time. When we returned, he finished the police academy and was a police officer for the City of Milwaukee for 30 years. He went on to finish his college degree in Social Justice at UW-Milwaukee in 1976. We have 2 children, Amy Marie, born in 1972 and Matthew Scott in 1974. We have 3 grandchildren, Bethany Lellia, Nathan Frank and Grace Elizabeth. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

When Richard retired in 1999, we moved to Whitewater Wisconsin, where he indulged me to have the house of my dreams – a beautiful Victorian Queen Ann style 5 bedroom painted lady. We settled into small town life pretty quickly where we have made many lasting, loving friendships. We opened an antique store in downtown Whitewater which we ran for 4 years. Love of antiques, his love of sports cards (he had quite a collection) and life has occupied us for the past 20 years. He worked for Spacesaver for a short time and then went on to work at Generac for about 14 years. He loved to sell our wares at flea markets, buy at auctions and help me tend our antique mall spaces around the area. Everywhere and everyone he met, will never forget his smile, his humor and his warmth.A Memorial Service with military rites will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 11:00am at the Congregational United Church of Christ 113 S. Franklin St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30am until the time of the service.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family, www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Jim Newmann, 67, of Trempealeau passed away Saturday, November 2

Jim (Gordon James) Newmann, 67, of Trempealeau passed away Saturday November 2, 2019 at his home. 

Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Trempealeau United Methodist Church, 24255 4th St, Trempealeau, WI 54661. Pastor Mary Beth Scow will officiate. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am to time of service. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org) or to the Trempealeau United Methodist Church (umc.org). 

For the full obituary and online condolences, please visit www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com

Adela C. Garcia, 23, of Fort Atkinson became an angel on Saturday, October 26, 2019.

Adela C. Garcia, 23, of Fort Atkinson became an angel on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Adela was born at Lakeland Center Hospital in Elkhorn to Manuel Garcia and Ermalinda (Herrera) Anderson. She spent her early years in East Troy and later moved to Palmyra where she graduated in 2014. She had shown an interest in attending school to receive an education degree.

She loved to help others and was always putting them first, and herself last. She enjoyed taking selfies, spending time with family and friends, and being social with anybody and everybody no matter where they went. She liked to go boating and being on the water, bonfires, going up north, going to Brewers games with family, shopping, and working at the Fuzzy Pig Haunted House.


She will be greatly missed by her parents, Manuel (Lina Quintero) Garcia, Ermalinda (Jon) Anderson; siblings, Eric (Rachel) Hernandez, Christy (Randy) Rode, Gabriella Alvarado, Arturo (Arianna) Herrera, Manuel J. Garcia IV, Michelle Anderson, Charlotte Anderson, Bianca Garcia, Diamond Garcia, Neveah Garcia, Royal Sotto; many nieces, nephews, and friends.


A memorial service will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place from 1 p.m. until the time of services.


Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Brent P. Alwin, age 69, passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2019.

A heart heavy with the loss of Brent P. Alwin age 69 who passed away unexpectedly on October 24, 2019.

Our grief is lightened by the knowledge he is being welcomed home with loving, open arms by his mother Joie and father “Big Walt”, sister April and brothers Scott and Craig.  He was a loving father, skilled artisan, sensitive soul and wonderful storyteller. “Brento” was a man who did not always live his life conforming to or confined by what society ordained and expected.  He was a “free spirit” with a generous nature and a wonderful creative ability. He leaves another hole in the fabric of our family that will not be mended until we are once again reunited in that longed for place of peace and rest. “Ride On…”

He is survived by his sons; Shane Alwin of Jefferson, Jessie (Dah-ve) Alwin of Apple Valley, CA, Jacob (Rebbecca) Alwin of Milton, Lucas (Christine) Alwin of Fort Atkinson, Casey Alwin of Palmyra, daughters; Emily Alwin of Fort Atkinson, Addison Alwin of Palmyra, grandchildren; Maxwell, Samuel, Meadow, Walter, Alexander, Sapphire, Walter, Dylan, Amy, Emily, siblings; Elaine Robinson of Watertown, Jeannine Davis of Michigan, Dennis Sohns of North Carolina, Lee Sohns of North Carolina, Gabrielle Alwin of Whitewater, Penelope (Jim) Alwin of Whitewater, Pamela Fullerton of Wausau, Deb (Roy) Rockwell of Whitewater, Lanee (Nancy) Alwin of California, Jill (Matt) Simmons of Whitewater, Sean (Laura) Alwin of Fort Atkinsons, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Captain Scott Alwin, Craig Alwin; sister: April Alwin; nephews; Tyrone Alwin and Tyrone Kleinhans.

Burial will take place on November 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. for close friends and family at the Cold Spring Cemetery followed by a Celebration of life at Brock’s River Walk in Fort Atkinson from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Memorials made to the family would be greatly appreciated.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

https://nitardyfuneralhome.com/