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Today is Friday, June 19, 2026
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Whitewater High School Class of 1975 – Class Reunion Aug. 2, 2025 – Photo by Tom Ganser
Front row L to R: Bruce Masterson, Bob Ludeman, Kathy (Zenz) Stanton, Sally (Marshall) Lange, Cathy (Rainbow) Winter, Dave Zimmerman, Jodie Schirmer, Kathi Caldwell, Anna (DeWind) Walls, Kathy (Walters) Davis, Jane (Johnson) Route, Cheryl (Casey) Schaefer, Dawn Behling, Pam (Reid) Colletti, Rita (Walton) Welter, Bob Johnston
2nd row L to R: Cathy Tuminaro, (she is tilted to the right), Nancy (Hale) Strand, Joan (Zimmerman) Dedolph, David Disrud, Jeff Reinke, John Bill, Kathy (Bruch)-Nenn, James Selel (AFS student from Kenya), Mike Fay, Ed Hale, Sherry Rasmussen, Judy (Leastman) Bruley, Tracy (Funk) Gilmer, Tracy Williams, Ellen (Frawley) Hartley, Mike Colletti
3rd row L to R: Allen Brokmeier, Dave McGraw, Ken Boyd, Larry Kachel, Jim Jacobson, Scott Nehring, Jim Bergman, Jim Hansen, Dick (Rick) Keiser, Ray Triebold, Dean Jolliffe, Tim Scherer, Chris Riedel, Eddie Nugen, Rick Blankenship, Perry Giese, Jim Goehl, Mark Zelle, Bob Frays, Tom Route, Brand Carter, Chuck Nass, David Roe, Bill Gage, Jeff Sweno (Class of 1976), Scott Poehler Mike Davison missing from photo
Photos, courtesy of Tom Ganser, are from the Whitewater High School Class of 1975 50th Reunion on Aug. 2, 2025, at 841 Brewhouse and Aug 3, 2025, at Rick’s.
The 58 alumni attending included classmates from Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington State. Also attending from Kenya was Jame Selel who was an AFS exchange student at WHS during his senior year.
For information about obtaining prints of photos contact Tom Ganser at tganser33@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: Updated on 8/18/25 @ 11:34 a.m. with Parks & Recreation Board agenda
Updated on 8/19/25 @ 9:20 p.m. to add phone number to Parks & Recreation Board agenda
Whitewater Public Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion about the logo and rebranding of the library; Review and approval of the Claims Returned Policy
Cravath Lakefront Conference Room
312 W 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.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85016145635?pwd=e1H1ClISFBLN0HZyFUYg3D3ll3aiy1.1
Meeting ID: 850 1614 5635
Passcode: KPCNXH4d
Or join by phone: Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Update on Housing and Strategy, Discussion and Possible Action regarding a possible Referendum question to form a Lakes District, Discussion and Possible Action regarding Accurate Assessor Contract; Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation from Landmarks Commission regarding the Starin Park Water Tower.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community 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.
Please click the link below to join:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84476739931?pwd=bZ8YcXgck4NbbRbzSfjGLjd4rdtpE6.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 844 7673 9931
Passcode: 960572
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Continuation of Parks and Open Space Plan work. Incorporating survey results, site visits, and staff recommendations into individual site recommendations.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85658600831?pwd=xLohaphTP6cHjSQ4EUWEGkOQajHVIY.1
Meeting ID: 856 5860 0831
Passcode: 456345
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,85658600831#,,,,456345# US +13092053325,,85658600831#,,,,456345# US
Meeting ID: 856 5860 0831
Passcode: 456345
City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee Meeting – Thursday @ 4:30 pm.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on date for community kid fishing derby; Discussion of current and proposed lake capital improvement projects and related lake initiatives.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85216799622?pwd=ZVGPVYevJX3d6HqaJEKbb8mnz5vB0m.1
Meeting ID: 852 1679 9622
Passcode: 017234
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US
+1 646 931 3860 US
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes introduction of new Economic Development Director
Whitewater Municipal Building Community 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.
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87614381831?pwd=3YHbybadMj5xL4caulDdpmUzfQXlUu.1
Passcode:647974
Did you know that more than half of women over age 50 experience issues with bladder or bowel control? These problems can be slightly bothersome or totally debilitating. For some women, the chance of embarrassment keeps them from enjoying many activities and can take control of their life.
A popular workshop in Rock County can help! Mind Over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder is a workshop designed to give women, age 60 and older, the tools they need to take control of their bladder and bowel symptoms. The workshop provides
information, group activities, simple exercises and dietary changes to practice at home. The workshop consists of three, 2-hour sessions over the course of a month. Dedication to the series of three classes is required. This is a workshop for females, taught by a female.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Rock County invites women to join them for a “Mind Over Matter” series at Cargill United Methodist Church located at 2000 Wesley Avenue, Janesville. The series will take place on three Tuesday
mornings from 9:30-11:30 am on September 2, 16 & 30, 2025. Suggested donation is $10 to cover the cost of materials. Space is limited, so register early to reserve a spot! The registration deadline is August 22nd.
To learn more, or to register for the series, contact Health Promotion Coordinator, Lisa Messer, of the ADRC of Rock County by calling: 608-757-5309 or email: Lisa.messer@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The Rock County ADRC has previously indicated to The Whitewater Banner that they welcome non-Rock County residents, space permitting.
Whitewater Public Library is committed to fiscal responsibility and ensuring sustainable services for all patrons. In response to the growing demand for digital materials both at our library and throughout the library system, we have conducted a comprehensive review of digital borrowing trends and performed a budget analysis.
We are focusing our funding on the continued development of our robust digital collections within the Libby app, which includes access to digital books, audiobooks, and magazines. We will be discontinuing the hoopla service on October 12, 2025. [The entire Bridges Library System, of which the library is a member, is phasing out hoopla by January, 2026.]
It was determined that hoopla’s pay-per-checkout model has become unsustainable, consuming a disproportionate share of resources while serving a limited percentage of patrons. By focusing on the Libby app, we aim to continue delivering high-quality digital content effectively to a wider audience without compromising the sustainability of our library’s resources.
We appreciate your understanding and want to assure you that our commitment to providing excellent digital services remains a priority. We encourage patrons to explore ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through the Libby app. Additionally, patrons are invited to explore other digital resources available with your CAFÉ library card.
For any questions or assistance in accessing our digital resources, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Editor’s note: This announcement is from the library’s Facebook page.
“Humphrey Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes”
Wednesday, August 20, 1 pm
(Biography/Documentary)
Rated G. 1 hour, 39 minutes (2024).
The iconic actor’s journey to stardom from vaudeville to Hollywood as seen through unprecedented, rare personal footage from his estate, including his own personal narration and that of his wife, Lauren Bacall, son Stephen, and other notable actors and actresses.
The man, the myth, the legend!
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Updated 8/15/25 @ 11:45 a.m. to add another stand.
For many years, the Marsh family farm of Palmyra was one of the most popular sources of sweet corn for Whitewater residents. Their pickup truck with the bed full of the delicious treat was a frequent sight on the east side of First Citizens State Bank. Local resident Jayne Haskey told The Banner that Phil Marsh no longer plants corn, and consequently his wife Carmen and their grandchildren have retired from corn sales. Per Haskey, the grandchildren “paid their way through college working the corn truck. They have now all graduated.”
Fortunately, there are a number of nearby locations where residents can sample this year’s corn. A few of those options are shown below.
Update 8/16/25 @ 10:50 p.m. – Sara Pontel wrote to clarify “we are the farm [Sarafina Farm] at W9440 Stader that grew the Pontel sweetcorn. My husband, Kevin and I own the business.”
Banner reader Kathy Church Channing reported that there’s another area stand [shown above] operated by Rodney Pontel at W9440 Stader Road. Stader Road is off Highway 89, south of US Hwy 12, and the farm is to the west. There’s a sign at the intersection promoting their “super sweet sweet corn.” Pontel’s stand wins the prize for the most artistic display of ears of corn.
Billy Mills’s stand [shown above] next to Mills Automotive, 707 E. Milwaukee Street, appears to be the only one where the corn and other produce is refrigerated. The corn is from Holt Farms in the Delevan area. As seems to be the case with all the area farmstands, it’s self service 24/7, but it may be the only one that has lighting. Parking is easily accessible off Milwaukee St. Venmo accepted.
Matt Meiners of MY Farm has a stand [shown above] at 13205 E County Road N [beyond Walworth Ave.] a short distance past Highway 12 on the right side of the road. There’s a sign for Hidden Falls Ranch. Though, of course, it’s a busy road, there’s a good pull-off parking area. Recently corn was priced at $7/dozen or three ears for $2, and there was a selection of other produce. Matt is also a vendor at the City Market on Tuesdays.
Kolton Reu only sells corn at his stand [shown above], but he uniquely welcomes purchasers to leave the husks in a bin for his cows. His stand is located at the corner of County U and County N, basically across the street from the airport. It’s easy to pull off County U into parking by the stand.
Other stands [sorry, no pictures] :
Hwy 59, right side of the road, just before the industrial park
W8141 Clover Valley Rd. – reportedly they also had really good green beans.
Cedar Bend Century Family Farm, N7922 US Hwy 12 & County Hwy 67, Elkhorn – It appears that this is an attended stand, and it may not be open 24/7.
Markets:
City Market – Tuesday 4-7 p.m. at the parking lot of the Cravath Lakefront Park
Matt Meiners of MY Farm has a booth with a variety of produce including corn.
Mike Murphy of Milton’s booth has corn and other produce plus eggs.
Farmers Market – Saturday 8 a.m. – noon, 301 W. Whitewater St., in the parking lot next to the Train Depot
Mike Murphy is there with corn, eggs, etc.
This is a rather small market compared with the City Market, but there are other vendors with produce, meat, etc.
Editor’s note: Apologies if we’ve inadvertently left any other area stands off the list. We will be glad to add others; please submit to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. The image on the homepage is from the Murphy Farm Facebook page.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a summer picnic at the lake. Henry Scholl took this photo on a glass plate around 1900 and the location was probably Lake Koshkonong. Notice how dressed up the people are, a suit for the man and long-sleeved blouses and skirts for the ladies. And hats! In 1900, even a picnic at the lake called for formal clothing.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
3710GP, Whitewater Historical Society
Lea Sperle joins First Citizens State Bank
Nate Parrish, President of First Citizens State Bank, is pleased to announce that Lea Sperle has joined the Bank as Vice President – Business Banker at the East Troy Office, located at 2546 E. Main St., East Troy, Wisconsin.
Lea has over 28 years of experience in community banking with roles including CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility], Branch Manager, Mortgage and Consumer Lender, and most recently nearly 10 years focused on business banking. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and is a long-time resident of East Troy with her husband and two sons.
In making the announcement, Nate Parrish said, “Lea is a perfect addition to our team, and we are thrilled to welcome her as our new Business Banker. Along with her strengths in risk management and business development strategies, she brings an extensive and diverse background in banking.”
Lea is an avid horseback rider and enjoys being outdoors, golfing, and fishing. Active in her local communities, she is Treasurer for the nonprofit The Haase House, located in Mukwonago, and is involved in both the East Troy and Mukwonago Chambers of Commerce.
Lea commented, “I am excited to join such a historic local institution with a clear and deep commitment to community growth. I look forward to expanding relationships and strengthening support for families and businesses in the communities I love.”
First Citizens State Bank, locally owned and operated since 1863, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in Southeastern Wisconsin. First Citizens State Bank has Full-service offices in Whitewater, East Troy and Palmyra. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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