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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Due to the anticipated weather, including an additional round of accumulating snow from Friday evening into Saturday afternoon, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Whitewater City Market on Saturday, February 15 for the safety of our vendors and visitors. While this may seem like an early decision, to be respectful of the timing of our bakers, to prevent loss as much as possible we have to make decisions to cancel a little earlier than you might expect. We thank you for your continued support of the Whitewater City Market.
Stay safe, stay warm, and we’ll see you at the next market! 
Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Whitewater City Market.
Based on Arnold Lobel’s well-loved books, and featuring a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons.
Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe… all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.
The jazzy, upbeat score of A Year with Frog and Toad bubbles with melody and wit, making it an inventive, exuberant and enchanting musical for the whole family. Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m., The Young, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater
This is a national touring production, and the cost of all remaining seats has been reduced to $25! Tickets may be purchased here. There is a $2 per ticket surcharge for admission at the door.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office is predicting a long duration snow starting Friday afternoon/evening through Saturday. They expect that an initial 2-3 burst of snow Friday evening will be moderate to heavy snowfall. A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect for our area beginning at 6 p.m. Friday until early Saturday morning. 2-3″ of snow is anticipated.
The League of Women Voters presented its annual State of the City, School District, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater forum on January 9. [Apologies that the Banner is late in posting this.] The event was very well attended, with nearly all of the seats in the Municipal Building Community Room being filled. The video recording of the event may be viewed here.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the 2025 WIAC Wrestling Championship (presented by Culver’s) at Kachel Gymnasium on Feb. 15. UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse are the defending champions. Six individual weight class winners from last season return. (Championship Preview) (Championship Webpage)
Congratulations to the following students on their academic achievements.
The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area is pleased to sponsor a public program on Homelessness in Fort Atkinson on Thursday, February 20, 6:30 PM – 8 PM. The program will be held in the Dwight Foster Library Community Room, located at 209 Merchants Avenue in Fort Atkinson.
The program will be presented by Jerry Mitchell, President of the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, and HCFA Executive Director Sheri Bronstad. Kathleen Townsend, a member of HCFA, will moderate.
The Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides transitional housing and emergency assistance to families and individuals in need in the Fort Atkinson area. It held its first meeting in January 2019 after the death of Keith Lueloff in November 2018. He was found in a park after a very cold night. A group of concerned citizens from churches, organizations and businesses in the city gathered to discuss options to coordinate support.
Please join us to learn more about the Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson, what services it provides, how it functions and how you can help support its mission to “Enhance the quality of life for persons and families who need a place to live.” Light refreshments will be served.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
Clearing Snow from Fire Hydrants can Save Lives…
A clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home – or even your life. If a fire hydrant is buried in snow, firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking on the responsibility of shoveling out and clearing a fire hydrant near your home during and after a snowstorm. Here are a few suggestions:
Know the location of the nearest fire hydrants
Make sure they are shoveled after each snowfall
Clear the snow three feet around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to use the hydrant
Taking the time to remove the snow from around a hydrant near you can save precious minutes in case of a fire. The City of Whitewater appreciates community members who take the time to shovel out hydrants.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
(262) 473-0560
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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