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Today is Saturday, October 10, 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
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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