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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Southern Lakes Memory Project, a new nonprofit organization, is excited to announce its official
launch. The organization is committed to supporting individuals living with dementia and their
caregivers by providing social respite, education, and training in the Southern Lakes area.
In response to the increasing need for better dementia care, Southern Lakes Memory Project has
developed its flagship program, Memory Matters. This initiative offers social respite programming,
allowing caregivers to take a break while their loved ones participate in cognitively stimulating
activities led by professional staff and volunteers. Additionally, the organization is focused on filling
the gap in dementia education by offering specialized training for caregivers, residential facilities, and
home care agencies. These educational programs will empower caregivers and healthcare providers
to deliver high-quality care to those affected by dementia.
“Our goal is to support families and caregivers who face the daily challenges of dementia care,” said
Jake Sawyers, Founder and President of the Board of Directors for Southern Lakes Memory Project.
“By providing social respite programs and quality education, we can create a community that offers
both support and hope to those living with dementia and those who care for them.”
Southern Lakes Memory Project plans to collaborate with local healthcare providers, organizations,
and community leaders to expand its reach and ensure that individuals and families have access to
the services they need. The organization is also inviting volunteers to join its efforts and help make a
difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.
To learn more about the Southern Lakes Memory Project, get involved, or donate, please visit
slmemoryproject.com or contact southernlakesmemoryproject@gmail.com.
About Southern Lakes Memory Project
Southern Lakes Memory Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing support to individuals
living with dementia and their caregivers. Our goal is to help individuals with dementia and their
caregivers feel supported, engaged and valued. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the
lives of those affected by dementia.
Whitewater High School – Class of 1965
Celebrating their 60th Class Reunion
The Whitewater High School Class of 1965 is celebrating its 60th reunion the weekend of July 11-13, 2025, in Whitewater. Classmates should have received information via email or US Mail.
Activities include a casual social gathering the afternoon of July 11 at the home of one of the classmates. A round of golf is planned for Saturday morning, July 12, at Willow Brook Golf Course in Whitewater. There will also be a casual buffet at Willow Brook Club House Saturday afternoon, July 12.
Informational letters, including a questionnaire, were mailed out in March. However, if classmates have misplaced their information, haven’t received their letter, or should their plans have changed and are able to attend, they are asked to contact one of the committee members for information or to make RSVPs: Chris Thompson Pitterle cmpitterle@gmail.com (815) 988-4615, Judi Pizzichini (262) 473-4090, Jeff Winn (920} 723-0629 or Jim Holden (262) 215-7312.
The WHS Class of 1965 had 152 students, plus one foreign exchange student, Prasith Sithivong, from Laos. The class also had one classmate, Emily Saunders, who was an AFS exchange student to Japan for one year and left for Japan March 1964.
The class instituted a scholarship, with contributions from the Class of 1965 members, which is granted to graduating WHS students, with the first distribution made in 1999. The scholarship is not applied for but is granted to a graduating senior who is continuing their education to a four-year or one/two-year technical school. The recipient of the scholarship need not be at the top of the class academically, but must demonstrate the qualities of good citizenship, school spirit and work ethic. The Faculty Scholarship Committee (WHS) selects the graduating senior for this scholarship. If anyone, either a 1965 classmate or anyone else, would like to make a contribution to this scholarship, please contact Jeff Winn, (920) 723-0629.
Editor’s note: This announcement was submitted by Chris (Thompson) Pitterle.
Steve Meisner, a Whitewater resident until his passing in 2023, per his obituary “was a multi-talented musician, entertainer, composer, and arranger who traveled the country and world with his band.” A master on the accordion, Meisner was particularly known for his polka band.
An article on the Shepherd Express dated April 11 provides a review of a new Steve Meisner and the Legacy Band album titled “Legacy.” Below are some excerpts; the complete article may be viewed from the link above.
‘Legacy’ by Steve Meisner and the Legacy Band: Legacy
Over a dozen years before his 2023 death at 62, Whitewater polka bandleader Steve Meisner had the ambition to record an album that represented the breadth of his musical taste and what he enjoyed playing in concert. Though he wasn’t able to see that task through to its completion, some friends and admirers have.
Legacy is comprised the rudiments of the career-defining statement he was able to track before his passing. Those bits of his voice, accordion and whistling (!) are fleshed out by the Legacy Band, featuring Southeast Wisconsin old time music mainstays, including multi-instrumentalists Don Hunjadi and Tom Brusky, to make a 16-track collection.
Legacy makes it seem almost as if the middle Meisner in the family’s musical lineage never left…..
Legacy plays as a worthwhile tribute to one of Wisconsin’s most storied and amiable ambassadors of a music inextricably associated with the state. And like all good polka, it brings a happy atmosphere, even to the loss of a much-missed musical figure.”
From Meisner’s website:
Steve’s Brand New CD, Legacy, Is Here!
February 10, 2025
We’ve been talking and teasing for many months about a new CD release coming from Steve Meisner and the members of the Legacy Band. If you have been waiting, the wait is now over. Legacy, the brand new CD from Steve and the guys, was officially released at the Illinois Polkafest in Schaumburg, Illinois. This is a truly unique recording featuring sixteen polkas, waltzes, and a variety of selections spanning multiple genres. You’ll hear Steve singing and playing along with the members of his band. You’ll hear the Steve Meisner Legacy Band playing brand new songs and many Meisner arrangements. And you’ll also hear Steve Meisner singing along with the Legacy Band. You can see the list of songs along with hearing several song samples and then order the brand new CD right now from the Merchandise Page. No longer have a CD player in your car or at home? Legacy is also available on a USB drive inside the jacket instead of the CD. Get either format or order both! Take a look right now and be among the first fans to get this brand new recording.
Easter at The Chapel
445 N. Warner Rd. in Whitewater
Good Friday, April 18th at 7 PM
Easter Sunday, April 20th @ 10 AM
For more information visit chapel.org/easter
Walworth County ADRC Presents Dementia Spotlight: Frontotemporal Dementia and Family Support
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Walworth County is excited to announce the return of Dementia Spotlight, a special educational event focusing on Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). The event will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Health and Human Services Building, 1910 County Rd NN, Elkhorn.
This year’s event will feature a presentation by the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration; an introduction to Lorenzo’s House, a non-profit organization that empowers those affected by younger-onset dementia; and a personal talk from Nicole Petrie, a former caregiver to her mother, who was diagnosed with FTD.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Dementia Spotlight again,” said Jake Sawyers, Dementia Care Specialist at the ADRC. “Frontotemporal Dementia, or FTD, is the most common form of dementia for individuals under 60. Unfortunately, when many people think of dementia, they typically associate it with Alzheimer’s disease and older adults. This event will help bring much-needed awareness of FTD and the unique challenges that it presents.”
To register for this free event, please call 262-741-3273 or email Jake Sawyers at jsawyers@co.walworth.wi.us.
About the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your personal situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library will be closed on Thursday, April 17 for construction and Friday, April 18 for Spring Holiday. We will be open on Saturday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.
The Library Expansion and Renovation Project is currently in Phase 2, which is the phase in which the new addition is being constructed. The project is on schedule and the new space looks fantastic! Phase 3 will begin in the middle of June. At that time, the current building will undergo renovations. The entire project will be completed in November 2025. We can’t wait for our new building to be revealed to the community!
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.
The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Spring Community Action Grants. Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community with educational, cultural, charitable and benevolent projects that will benefit and improve the community.
Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs. Interested organizations can fill out an application at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gY51mjXwlRW3vKYr75UWyqL5By6Wgdb4/view Please download and complete the form in Acrobat.
The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2025.
Virginia Coburn, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “I’m inspired by the number of local organizations sponsoring programs and projects to benefit the community. The Foundation has given grants to The Community Space, Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, First United Methodist Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater Rescue Squad and many more. I invite you to read the pages on our website to see if one of your projects is eligible for an action grant.”
Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Foundation web site at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/?s=Action+Grants or contact Ginny Coburn at virginiacoburn@coburn.com for more information.
The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.
More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/ and on Facebook.
The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.
We wish to thank our Whitewater Community! On Saturday, April 12th, several volunteers showed up at Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams to clean and prepare for the baseball/softball season ahead!
The Kilar family and the City of Whitewater wish to thank our volunteers, including several youth baseball teams, families, and coaches, for coming out to lend a hand!
Special “thank you” to Toppers Pizza in Whitewater for feeding the volunteers with pizzas and Topper sticks!
Thank you all for caring for our youth and community!
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” – Margaret J. Wheatley
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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