Obituaries

MADISON – Jay S. Tuinstra, age 54, lost his battle with cancer and passed on June 9, 2020. At his request there was no funeral service, but his family and close friends had a celebration of life in his honor on June 21, 2020. Jay was born on the 4^th of July 1965 in Fort Atkinson, WI and was raised in Whitewater where he attended Whitewater University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jay was a very dedicated family man and experienced his greatest joy watching his three children participate in sports. He also showed his love and devotion by raising his wife’s four older children as his own from the day they met. He was an avid sci-fi toy collector, loved Frank Sinatra and loved dogs, especially his dog Gideon. Jay loved to tell stories of his experiences driving the Madison metro bus and singing karaoke. He lost his battle with cancer but lived a happy and fulfilled life until the day he passed. He was preceded in death by his father, John Tuinstra II and brother-in-law, Patrick L. Blacks. He is survived by his mother, Audrey Tuinstra; siblings, John Tuinstra III, Melody Vemeister, and Merille Tuinstra; wife, Rita Tuinstra; their three children, Elliott, Abby, and Aiden; four step-children, Nicholas, Timothy, Jenna, and Jamie Webster; in-laws, James Bond (Todd), Archie Blacks, Alberta Jennings (Cindy), Aaron Blacks; several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and many other family and friends. He will be especially missed by his close friends, Calvin Tucker, John Mankowski, and Daryl Gugel. Jay will be missed beyond words and loved forever by us all.

October 24, 1957 – June 20, 2020

Mount Pleasant, WI — Julia (Kozlowski) Stark, 62, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Hospice Alliance. She was born in Baraboo, WI on October 24, 1957, the daughter of the late Clarence and Loretta Kozlowski. Julia was a 1976 graduate of Whitewater High School. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, and her Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin Parkside. In Las Vegas on December 26, 1994, Julia was united in marriage to Russell Stark. She was an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice for the University of Wisconsin Parkside, and also worked as a Corrections Field Supervisor, for the State of Wisconsin. Julia was a member of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, and the Polish Center of Wisconsin. She enjoyed being a stained glass artist, and loved being a mother and grandmother.

Surviving are her husband, Russell; twin daughters, Jessica Ann (Brandan) Peterman, and Courtney Marie (Branden Villagrana) Stark; two grandchildren, Jack William Peterman, and Leilani Rose Villagrana; and aunt, Arlene (Harold) Meyer. She is further survived by cousins, friends and colleagues. Julia was preceded in death by her brother, Alexander Scott Kozlowski.

Visitation will be held at STURINO FUNERAL HOME in Racine on Saturday June 27, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Whitewater, WI.

Julia’s family would like to thank Hospice Alliance for the care and compassion they gave Julia.

Earl Dean Gutzmer, 81, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Earl was born to Merrill and Lorene Gutzmer in 1939. Earl graduated from College High School in Whitewater. On August 1, 1959 Earl married Mary Shober at Whitewater Bible Church, and together they had two daughters. Earl retired in 2000 from working at UW-Whitewater as an HVAC specialist, after over twenty years of service. During retirement, he liked spending winters in Florida.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved watching the Packer games, but above all else he enjoyed being with his family. He was also very active in the Whitewater Bible Church; over the years he served as building chairman and as treasurer.

Earl is survived by his wife, Mary Gutzmer; daughters, Miriam (Dave) Wolfe of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Martha (Greg) Kolbow of Pewaukee; grandsons, Mark Wolfe, Daniel Wolfe, Matthew Kolbow, Nathan Kolbow; and sisters, Mary Lavon (Don) Rowland, Abigail (John) Roos, Martha (Lyle) Milligan.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Lorene Gutzmer; and brother, Eugene Gutzmer.

Services will be private to the family.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice for their exceptional care for Earl.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Pacific Garden Mission.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Michael Rule, age 61, of Whitewater, WI was both a man of nature and force of nature, who lost his battle with ALS on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Mike was born on March 15, 1959 to Donald and Frances Rule in Chicago, IL. He was raised in Racine, WI and graduated from J.I. Case High School. Mike attended Winona State University and later earned his M.A. in Recreation Administration from Washington State University.

Mike’s passion in life was the outdoors, which garnered him the nickname “Mountain Mike.” He spent most of his career at Phantom Lake YMCA Camp in Mukwonago, WI where his gentle leadership influenced the lives of campers and staffers for decades. In the 70’s he was a counselor and Tripping Director, in the 80’s he was the Program Director and in the 90’s he became the Camp Director and Associate Director. He was also the Camp Director at Bluff Lake YMCA Camp in Big Bear, CA and YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, IL. Mike later returned to Phantom Lake as Executive Director and finished his career at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Mike had a kind and humble nature, a warm smile and a clever sense of humor. He was creative, playful, adventurous and had the gift of making everyone feel important. He loved sports, puns, filmmaking and telling a great campfire story. He loved Racine pizza and banana splits. He listened. He inspired all through his belief in them, his guidance, his loyalty, his example and his sense of wonder. His legacy is to remind us that one good person makes a genuine difference in every life they touch.

Mike shared his life and adventures with his loving wife of twenty-three years, Jenny (Brightbill) Rule. He was a passionate and dedicated father to their two sons Luke (18) and Josh (16). They spent many sojourns together hiking, biking, camping, kayaking and canoeing. Mike also coached and supported the boys through a variety of sports and was the self-appointed, wildly enthusiastic, statistician for their soccer teams.

Mike is also survived by his siblings Joe (Rhonda) of Phoenix, AZ and Dona of Chandler, AZ, beloved nieces and nephews and other treasured relatives. His love for them was steadfast and true. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bill and Scott.

Mike will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI in a small family ceremony. A celebration of Mike’s life will take place at a later, safer date. Please see www.olsen-gibson.com for updated memorial information.

With deep appreciation, the family thanks the staff of Agrace Hospice and the ALS Association of Wisconsin for their kindness, compassion and unyielding support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you go paddle a canoe, jump in a lake or find any other way to enjoy nature. If you absolutely must find a way to donate in Mike’s name, Jenny has created the Mountain Mike Memorial Fund. Donations will be used to put Aldo Leopold benches in beautiful places, fulfill camp wish lists and send kids to camp.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mountain-mike-memorial-fund?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Ursula Puerling (nee Butzin) formerly of Milwaukee, passed away on June 8, 2020, at Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care Center in Janesville after a two year battle with cancer. She was born on January 6, 1946, in Germany.

Ursula is survived by her mother, Lillian Marckx of Summit Lake, WI; sister, Beverly (Mark) Mangerson of Rhinelander; brother, Thomas (Juanita) Butzin of Horicon; son, Terry Galecki of Milwaukee; grandson, Tyler; close friend, Mary Leichtfuss of Muskego; and her very closest friend, her cat, Callie, who was with her until the end.

A private family service will be held at a later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com

Joe was born on May 21, 1940 in Kilmeena, County Mayo, Ireland, son of John Joseph and Winifred Geraghty. Joe immigrated to Chicago in 1961, where he met the love of his life, Mary Jo Murphy. They were married on October 19, 1963 at Queen of Martyrs Catholic church in Chicago, and together they had two children. Joe was a mechanic and for much of his career was self-employed.

He enjoyed Irish music, golfing, traveling with family, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was generous to all who knew him and was known for his quick wit.

Joe will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary Jo; daughter, Mary (James Hobart) Geraghty; son, John Geraghty; grandchildren; Brendan, Connor & Caitriona Hobart, Jack & Elizabeth Geraghty; brother, Vince (Evelyn) Garrity, of New York; brothers & sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, additional relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his brother, John “Jack” Geraty, who passed on August 30, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Joe’s name to The Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC), 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice and Hearthstone staff for their exceptional care.

Services are private to the family.

Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

WHITEWATER – Donald E. Carlson, 88, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at home.