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Who’s hungry for Toppers!? This Wednesday, October 30, from 4:00 – 9:00 pm, Whitewater Toppers will donate 20% of all sales to the WUSD Robotics Booster Club. The booster club not only supports Ferradermis at the high school, but also the Iron Dragons FIRST Lego League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams at the middle school and the BrickLayers FIRST Lego League teams at Washington, Lincoln, and Lakeview! The robotics program is strong and growing in the WUSD!
For information on the Robotics Booster Club, contact Sue Wildermuth at wilderms@uww.edu.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Madison, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s tennis team claimed the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the 18th consecutive time Sunday. The Warhawks won four singles flights and swept the titles in doubles play en route to the championship.
The WIAC champion is determined by using a combination of the regular season dual meet standings and the WIAC Championship results. The Warhawks entered the championship tied for first with six points from dual meet results. UW-Whitewater added 14 points from the championships for a total of 20 to claim the title by two points over UW-La Crosse.
SINGLES
No. 1: Gracie Ha secured her second straight singles title (No. 2 singles champion in 2023) after defeating UW-Eau Claire’s Samantha Fuchs 6-2, 6-1 in the title match. To get to the title, Ha received a bye before defeating UWO’s Mana Usui 6-3, 6-3 in the second round.
No. 2: Molly Asfeld battled back from a 6-2, 6-4 loss in round two to eventual champion Shelby Roth (UWL) to secure bronze. In the third place bout, Asfeld took down Maya Kunze (UWSP) 6-3, 6-4. Her first round win was a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Alexis Budzinski (UWRF) Saturday.
No. 3: Abby Weaver picked up a pair of wins Sunday to claim gold in the third singles flight. After topping Morgan Dekan (UWEC) 6-0, 6-2 in the second round, Weaver bested UWL’s Lauren Lindow 6-1, 7-5 for the championship. She was 3-0 in singles play with a first round win over Ella Lamppa (UW-Stout) 6-1, 6-2 on day one.
No. 4: Alex Repplier won her second consecutive title in singles play Sunday. The top seed defeated Brianna Owens (UWO) 6-1, 6-1 before securing the title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Maia Samuelson (UWL). She adds the 2024 championship to a No. 5 singles gold from 2023.
No. 5: Sarah Ferguson went 2-0 after receiving a first round bye for the title. She took down Allie Brosteau (UWSP) 6-0, 6-1 in the second round and defeated Emma Heinert (UWL) 6-4, 6-0 in the championship.
No. 6: Crystina Lee battled hard in the No. 6 singles championship match. After taking the first set against top-seeded Hannah Cady (UWL), she dropped set two 6-4. Lee finished as the runner-up after the tiebreak went to the Eagles 10-2. On her way to the title match, Lee defeated Lexie Stein (UW-Stout) in straight sets and Tea Armstrong (UWEC) 3-6, 6-1, 10-5 in the second round.
DOUBLES
No. 1 – Gracie Ha & Abby Weaver: The Warhawk tandem in the top doubles flight came in as the No. 1 seed and punched their ticket into the championship with an 8-1 win over a UWSP pair. Ha and Weaver took down UWL’s Tasha Bailey and Roth 8-5 for the title. The championship is the second consecutive at No. 1 doubles for Ha.
No. 2 – Molly Asfeld & Alex Repplier: As the top seed in the second doubles flight, the Warhawks received a first round bye. In round two, Asfeld and Repplier defeated Morgan Dekan and Liv Herzog (UWEC) 8-6 to secure their spot in the championship. UW-Whitewater won the title with an 8-5 victory over UWL’s Samuelson and Cady. The doubles title is the second straight for Asfeld.
No. 3 – Ava Andrae & Crystina Lee: The Warhawks’ pair in the third doubles flight entered as the No. 2 seed. The duo defeated Hailey Reuvers and Mykela Hanson (UWRF) 8-1 and the UWEC tandem of Armstrong and Aubrey Wittwer 8-3 to punch their ticket to the title match. Andrae and Lee won a thrilling battle for the championship defeating Lindow and Heinert (UWL) 8-7(4).
Following the completion of the championship, the WIAC announced Cassie Lee as the Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete. A full release on Lee’s accomplishments will be published in a separate story. She is the fourth Warhawk to earn the honor in the last five seasons and thirteenth in program history. Gracie Ha was selected as UW-Whitewater’s representative on the All-Sportsmanship Team.
UW-Whitewater has now won 25 WIAC titles in program history. The top four teams from the conference championship (UWW, UWL, UWEC, UWSP) advance to the team tournament that will determine the league’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship. The team tournament will be hosted by UWW on April 26, 2025.
Congratulations to Dante Baker, Alex Clarksen, Charlotte Hajewski, and A’lani Ross, who performed at the WSMA High School State Honors Music Project concerts in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Overture Center Thursday night, October 24.
This year, almost 1,500 student auditions were performed for the privilege of being one of the 429 students selected for membership in the five prestigious High School State Honors ensembles. This year, Whitewater High School had four musicians perform at the concert.
High School State Honors students attend an intensive four-day summer camp with the conductor of their ensemble. In addition, 32 of Wisconsin’s finest music teachers volunteer time as section coaches, coordinators, and administrators during the June summer camp and at these October concerts. Working together, they engaged in holistic lessons that incorporated several aspects of the programmed repertoire far beyond the musical, such as history, theory, style, composition, text, and culture. They connected with composers, worked with coaches and peers in daily sectionals that focused on technique and skill, and rehearsed as a full ensemble in preparation for this concert.
Music teachers, parents, administrators, and WSMA staff contribute time, expertise and encouragement for every student involved in the State Honors Music Project. Young musicians selected for these ensembles discover new levels of individual and group performance. Most importantly, the effort and dedication required of each Honors participant results in a lifelong memory of initiative, achievement and commitment to excellence as musicians and as our future leaders. Mr. Sam Averill and Ms. Mackenzie Gehrke are the proud instructors of these fine students.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart
Whitewater High School Teacher
gstewart@wwusd.org
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club is selling florist-quality, red and white poinsettia plants for $20. Orders are due November 19, and the plants will be available December 6-8.
Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Co-President Corey Davis said, “We are delighted to be able to sell florist-quality poinsettias again this year, with the funds helping children in our community and the world as well as brightening your holidays.”
If you would like a plant, please contact any Kiwanian, contact Al Stanek at albertstanek@gmail.com, or call Jerry Grant at 262-473-2214.
Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. Over the past several years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park. Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.
If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
Ferradermis took 17 members, including 6 freshmen, to the Roboteer Rumble FIRST Robotics offseason competition at Tremont High School in Tremont, Illinois from Friday, October 25 through Saturday, October 26. Thirty-five robots from 4 states took to the field for one last 2024 competition, the 10th of the year for Ferradermis. With so many experienced members unavailable to travel over the weekend due to athletics and family commitments, the event was a great opportunity for new students to step into new roles. This opportunity doubled, when at the last minute, Ferradermis was invited to bring its second robot to compete as well.
Chief Lee the Tangerine, the team’s regular season bot which competed in Houston earlier this year wore the team’s official 6574 bumpers. Creamsicle, the team’s summer project bot wore 9998.
Tangerine #6574 Drive Team:
- Driver: Preston Miller
- Operator: Margaret Brown
- Human Player: Zoe Olson/Emilie Bruns
- Technician: Nina Heim
- Drive Coach: Chacha Binagi/Mark Zimmermann
- Alliance Selection Reps: Rae Breisath, Cyrus Hudec, Cooper Housel
Creamsicle #9998 Drive Team
- Driver: Ace Hudec
- Operator: Carson Miller
- Human Player: Emilie Bruns
- Technician: Sam Raupp
- Drive Coach: Chacha Binagi/Mark Zimmermann
- Alliance Selection Reps: Andrew Zimmermann, Chacha Binagi, Letty Trautman
Videographer: Belle Cohen
Head Scouts: Rae Breisath, Andrew Zimmermann, Cyrus Hudec
Scouts: Jayden Keher, Eli Gonsior, Letty Trautman, Emilie Bruns, Sam Raupp, Cooper Houselz
Creamsicle finished the day ranked 28th and did not make it into the playoff round. However, it did achieve the goal that the team had set for it at this competition. It proved it was able to feed game pieces to other robots from across the field. The feeding strategy is something that developed over the course of the regular season as alliances learned they could be more proficient scorers if one bot was strictly providing a supply of game pieces near the two main field elements instead of having all three alliance robots run back and forth across the field.
As the #10 ranked team after qualifications, Tangerine’s alliance representatives gratefully accepted an invitation from Team 3397, the Robolions from St. Louis, MO to join their #3 seeded alliance. Our alliance’s second pick was Team 112, Plus One from Arlington Heights, IL. Team 4096 CTRL-Z from Champaign, IL rounded out the 4-team alliance.
The alliance did not make it very deep into the playoffs as all of our alliance partners experienced problems with their robots during matches. Overall, the trip was a great learning experience for all of our members, and with over 100 competition matches on its record, Chief Lee the Tangerine will now retire to be used only for demonstrations.
The team submitted nominations in advance for Chacha Binagi as Outstanding Robotics Student and Head Coach Mark Zimmermann as Outstanding Robotics Mentor. Zimmermann and former Ferradermis mentor Allison Conrad, who now mentors the team from Muskego High School, were named the two Outstanding mentors for the event.
Ferradermis will now focus on training and outreach events until the kickoff of the new season on January 4. Watch for news from the FIRST Lego League teams at Washington, Lincoln, Lakeview, and the Middle School, as well as the new FIRST Tech Challenge Team at the Middle School, as they will both be competing this fall and winter.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Editor’s note: The Whitewater Banner does not necessarily post all notices of gatherings where a quorum of council and/or committee members may be present, as long as no action will be taken.
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or
telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Topic: Urban Forestry Commission
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82948501460?pwd=l9Lndio7GYohm0mMXg9a6sFLnZ7JBa.1
Meeting ID: 829 4850 1460
Passcode: 212599
Or dial:
+1 312 626 6799 US
Whitewater Unified School District Annual Budget Hearing – Monday @ 5:45 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
5:45 p.m.
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5:45 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85782823820?pwd=LL9I9ngH588YLmUWsaBt5PCrwjFR2A.1
– Passcode: 949460
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 857 8282 3820
– Passcode: 949460
Whitewater Unified School District School Board Regular Meeting – Monday @ 6:15 p.m. (CLOSED SESSION)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
6:15 p.m.
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6:15 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84566437470?pwd=JpfnoJYSdUVXk4Fv4YaZou0qzsQWmY.1
– Passcode: 511610
———————————————–
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 845 6643 7470
– Passcode: 511610
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Closed Session: Agenda – Adjourn into closed session, (Action Item) pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(f), considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations, specifically, to discuss contract updates and non-certified employee termination.
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online (OPEN SESSION)
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes WUSD Strategic Planning & Scorecard Review, Middle School (Informational),Transfer – ADMINISTRATION – Associate Principal at the Middle School to ADMINISTRATION – Principal at the Middle School effective July 1, 2025, Approval of the 2024/2025 Whitewater Unified School District Tax Levy and 2024-25 annual budget.
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87107415224?pwd=TnFUaWhpMEFpNXZNajhVTDhhTE4zdz09
– Passcode: 317163
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 871 0741 5224
– Passcode: 317163
City of Whitewater Public Test of Ballot Machines – Tuesday @ 10 a.m. – noon
Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person
City of Whitewater Special Finance Committee Meeting – Wed. @ 4:00 p.m.
Agenda includes 2025 Draft Budget Review (3 of 3), City Attorney and Code Enforcement & Zoning Contracts and Job Descriptions, Sick Leave Severance Budget & Policy, and Shared-Ride Budget
Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86803129460
Or One tap mobile :
+16469313860
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 868 0312 9460
International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kYQp6AdD
The Whippet Boys’ Cross Country Team emerged as sectional champions once again after supreme races from top to bottom on Friday, October 25 on the campus of UW-Whitewater. In a very controlled, dialed-in effort, Jack Hefty once again led the team to his second individual sectional title in 16:39. Xavier Zei ran perfectly and closed the door on his race very well and finished fifth overall. Miles Nickelsburg had the race of the day for the team placing in sixth overall. He methodically made his way through the upper crust of the pack passing two runners in the second mile and five runners in his final 1.1 miles of the race to stop the clock in 17:47. Luc Pomazak will get his first taste of the state meet after never seeing a varsity race all last season. Having improved significantly this season, he was the team’s fourth runner today and placed 17th in 18:28. Andrew O’Toole rounded out the team scoring with a strong 23rd place finish and an overall time of 18:47 on this difficult course. Onyx Thompson mowed down at least five guys in the final 200m finish straight and placed 31st with a time of 19:06. Isaac Straight was the final Whippet to finish today in 54th with a time of 19:56, twenty-four seconds faster than he ran on this course a week earlier.
The girls’ race proved to be a good day overall for the team as they finished in sixth place. Nearly every girl ran faster than they did a week earlier on the same course at the conference championship. Today the team was led by senior Carley Boudreau who stopped the clock at 22:37 for a final placing of 21st. Fellow senior Athena Soto was a few steps behind her in 22:39 and placed 22nd. Virginia Nelson completed her first high school season as the team’s third runner and placed 23rd in 22:42. Mady Hefty moved up little by little throughout the race and was the team’s fourth runner in 28th with a time of 22:58. Senior Nola Coburn placed 41st with a time of 24:25. Ema Aranda placed 44th in 24:35, and senior Sami Van Daele placed 47th in 24:57. The team wraps up their season having finished second in the Valley division, third overall in the RVC, and with numerous seniors that have dedicated themselves to the sport of cross country for four years. The coaching staff is very thankful for the seniors and the leadership they have provided over the years. They are Isabella Aranda, Carley Boudreau, Nola Coburn, Athena Soto, Lucy Troxel and Sami Van Daele.
The WIAA State Meet will be held on the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, November 2nd. The boys will be competing in the Division 2 race which is slated to begin at 2:35.
Full results: https://wi.milesplit.com/meets/628524-wiaa-d2-sectional-whitewater-2024
Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
On Tuesday, October 22, the Whippet Swim Team finished out their regular season schedule against Beloit Memorial. The night was spent celebrating our seniors and all their success in the pool as a Whippet! The girls swam fast on senior night and put up many new best times!
Senior Makayla Bazeley swam a lifetime best in the 200 IM beating the rest of the field by nearly 13 seconds with at time of 2:14.43. With that time, she moved her up to third all-time on the Whippet Top 10 List. Makayla also swam the 100 Fly in dominating fashion as she went just on her season best time of 1:00.75.
Senior Emerson Dunham won the 500 Freestyle by over 1 minute. In her win she went a season best time of 6:03.45. Emerson also put on a fun performance battling back and forth with the competition in the 100 Breaststroke to go a time of 1:24.08!
A special shout out goes to Senior Adalynn Frye as she has been everyone’s biggest supporter and loudest cheerleader this season!
The Whippets went 22 of 27 best times on the night! Charlotte Hajewski went 2/2 on best time dropping 6 seconds in the 200 IM and 4 seconds in her 100 Freestyle with a time of 1:05.92! Zoe Zei also went 2/2 dropping 23 seconds in the 200 Freestyle and 7 seconds in the 100 Freestyle. Atreya Wilson continues with the 2/2 best times, dropping 3 seconds in the 200 Freestyle and improving her 100 Breaststroke time to a 1:35.18. Maria Pena and Caitlin Alford both posted new best times in the 50 & 100 Freestyles!
We are looking forward to seeing them drop even more time as we head into our Championship Season. First up we have JV Conference on Tuesday, October 29, in Elkhorn starting at 6 pm. We hope to see you there! Go Whippets!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu
Obituaries
Edward W. HamiltonApril 3,1941 – October 26, 2024 Edward “Edjo” Wickman Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at home. Ed was born in Evanston, Illinois and moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin with his family when he was eight years old. He attended Whitewater High School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a bachelor of science degree. He also served two years in the army. He moved to Davenport, Iowa in 1971 and worked at John Deere Davenport Works until he retired in 2001. Then he followed a dream, moved back to Whitewater and … Read more
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Verne Paul Schrank was born on March 9, 1930 at home on the family farm in Lima Township, Rock County, to Arthur and Marie (Witte) Schrank. He attended the Sturtevant one room school which closed when he graduated in 1944. He attended Whitewater High School and graduated in 1948. Verne farmed with his parents until 1967 when he moved to Whitewater and worked for the Whitewater Unified School District as a custodian – courier for 27 years. Verne served on various boards at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, as well as playing on the dartball team for many years. Verne … Read more
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After a long full life, Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss was called home to the Lord. Janine was born on April Fool’s Day, 1930 in Milwaukee. She grew up enjoying Trolleys, dancing and school with her sisters, Donna Domagalski, Marcyl Howel, Karen Moczynski and her parents, Glenn and Lucille Dickerson. In 1950, she married Frederic Weiss in a little church in Three Lakes WI. Shortly after, the first of 5 kids was born with the next 2 shortly after. Denice Lucille (Edward DeGroot), David Arthur, and Dana Lynn (Stephen Lind). After a breather Debra Beth (Alyn Jones) and Donna Raye (Dale … Read more
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Raymond Miles, 96, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Our House Senior Living in Whitewater. Raymond was born on February 10, 1928, in Elkhorn, WI to Rueben and Norma Miles. He served in the US Army. On June 18, 1955, Raymond married Waverly Sutherland in Whitewater, WI. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Livestock Dealer. In retirement, he cherished time spent with his family and remained informed on the farming community. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Waverly of Whitewater, sons Eddie of Madison and Todd (Barbara) Miles of Sarasota FL, … Read more
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Connie Jean Sukowski embarked on her next big adventure on the evening of Friday, November 8, 2024. Connie enjoyed decades of adventures with friends and family. She spent 36 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students in the Palmyra Eagle School District, working alongside many cherished colleagues and friends. Connie and her husband, Patrick Theodore Sukowski, shared 55 and a half years of marriage. Together they raised four children: Peter, Allan, Ann and Kevin Sukowski. She took great joy in watching her five grandchildren grow into amazing adults: Sonora Sukowski, Brianne Hebbe, Jared Gundrum-Sukowski, Nolan Causey, and Lore Lai Schimmel. … Read more
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Nancy Lou Hallock Cooper passed away November 8, 2024 due to complications of lungcancer. Nancy was born on April 20, 1936 in Springfield, MA to Howard and Barbara (Corliss) Hallock. As a child, Nancy spent every summer in her beloved Piermont, NH where she and her brothers “helped” the local farmer with his chores, including riding in the truck with the milk cans every morning. She enjoyed swimming in the local brooks, picking berries, going to the nearby library, visiting with cousins, and playing croquet every evening. As she grew older, she spent time as a camper and then a camp … Read more
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James Robert Trier (Jimbo), passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on December 22, 1934, in New Holstein, WI, to George and Frances Trier. He spent his later years residing in Whitewater, WI. Jim began his teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and then dedicated 55 years of his life to education as a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was the chairman of the faculty senate as well. He had a passion for math and an engaging teaching style, which made him a student favorite. He was known for telling … Read more
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Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Oct 31, 2024. He was born in Fort Atkinson, WI, on November 14, 1967 to Ponciano and Blanca Rodriguez. He graduated from Whitewater High School and continued his education at Gateway, earning a degree in marketing. He had a love for helping people and worked in healthcare for over 30 years as a CNA. He enjoyed shooting darts with his lifelong friends: Robert Bramley, Brian Quass, and Todd Piper. To know Manny, you knew he had a love for his Washington Redskins, now known as the Commanders. He loved to play … Read more
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James Trier, Whitewater, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Edgerton Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Whitewater. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service. A full obituary will follow. Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.
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