Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Thursday, May 22, 2025
News & Events
To add an event, click here to go to the Community Calendar. Then, click on Submit Event.
Helpful Links
Search our Archives
To search our archives, enter a search term in the search box, then press enter to search.
Updated on January 21 at 8 a.m.: This photo was taken at Whitewater Creek Nature Park. Picture below was taken from the bridge/walk near the entrance to Hillside Cemetery.
Photos taken by Tom Ganser on January 15. Do you wonder if these birds are wishing they were “snowbirds?”
Our thanks to Tom Ganser for sharing another beautiful nature scene.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative writes, “We received a story from one of our caregivers that makes two (at least) great points: How dementia changes the brain and why friends and family should keep visiting.“
Mom has progressed to stage 4 out of 5 with her dementia. Her demeanor has changed. Although she still has her obstinate moments, she is becoming happy, affectionate, and appreciative. From what I hear, happiness is not a typical part of the progress of this disease. Depression and aggression are more common, so how wonderful it is that mom is happy these days! As happy as I have ever seen her.
This is due in part to loss of short term memory and in part to her attachment to me. Without her memory, she doesn’t retain good or bad experiences, they are gone from her mind. Her brain is filled with the here and now and maybe because I have learned to share warmth, kindness, a gentle touch, her here-and-now is happiness.
The part of the brain that processes facts and logic is the first to go, but feelings, good and bad, are there to the end. I began to give Mom a gentle pat on the thigh when I sat down beside her. She started to return the gentle touch. After a few weeks, she began putting her head on my shoulder. When people come to see her, she anticipates good feelings and her face lights up.
Being appreciative seems to go back to the manners that we were taught as small children. Unlike adult life when people use manners out of habit, mom has a strong sense of sharing gratitude. Maybe she knows it feels good to receive kindness, so passes it on. When my grandfather was in a nursing home at the age of 93, he had good manners to the end.
Mom has been stubborn her whole life. When she graduated from sixth grade, her mother bought the dress she liked instead of the one my Mom wanted. Mom had a very unhappy expression in the photo. If Mom decides she’s not going to take her pills, it is not going to happen and I have to find a different way to administer her medication. That hasn’t changed.
Love is a primal feeling. It is what brings us together, like the gentle touch, smile or kind gesture. As the brain deteriorates, love stays. If I ask Mom if she is fine, she will reply, “I am fine because you are here.” That is a phrase that I will hear in my mind for the rest of my life. As for those that stay away from people with dementia because they think they cannot love, those friends and family are missing out on a big part of life.
————-
This article submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park to help inform the community about dementia and to support patients and caregivers. New members are always welcome! Contact jfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or call Jennifer French at 262 473 0535. More resources for caregivers:
https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire extends congratulations to the 2,778 students named to the fall 2023 dean’s list. Their academic performance has been outstanding, and we recognize these students with pride.
Congratulations, Blugolds!
Students from your area who were named to the Dean’s List are:
Whitewater, WI
Emma Jordan, College of Arts and Sciences
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Whitewater, Wis. – The No. 4 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team cruised to a 69-52 win over UW-River Falls in Kachel Gym Saturday afternoon. The Warhawks are now 17-0 on the season and 6-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
File photo of Katie Hildebrandt from a game earlier this season (Michael Gouvion)
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Despite a relatively slow start, UWW started to pick up the offensive efficiency toward the end of the first quarter. Katie Hildebrandt sparked a late run with a jumper in the paint at the 2:37 mark. Lunden Alexander added a free throw before Mallory Oloffson knocked down a three-pointer to make it 13-6. Meanwhile, the Warhawk defense held the Falcons scoreless in that span to take the seven-point advantage into the second quarter.
UW-Whitewater’s lead quickly hit the double figure mark with Hildebrandt’s triple widening the gap to 18-8 and it never dipped into single digits the rest of the way.
The Warhawks dominated in the paint outscoring UWRF 36-18. UWW also held a 16-7 sway in fast break points.
Hildebrandt led UW-Whitewater with 17 points on 6-11 from the floor, 2-4 from long range and 3-3 from the free throw line. She added three rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Aleah Grundahl posted 15 points bolstered by a 5-6 performance from the charity stripe. Oloffson rounded out the double-digit scorers for UWW with 10 on 4-5 from the field.
Kacie Carollo and Bri McCurdy paced the Warhawks on the glass with six boards each while Carollo added five assists in the game.
Update Jan. 22 @ 8:55 a.m. – Per WUSD:
Confirming we will begin school following the 2 hour delay:
9:50 Elementary
9:55 MS
9:50 HS (see alt schedule for finals sent out by Mr. Mansky)
SPECIAL NOTICE – 5:20 am, January 22
WUSD Staff and Families: In consultation with our bus company, we are very concerned about earlier-than-expected icing on the roads that will make it dangerous for our buses and the commute to school. (County A is currently closed by the Duck Inn due to icing.) We will be initiating a 2-hour delay and reassessing if school can start safely. AM 4K will be canceled.
Due to slippery road conditions, the Whitewater Unified School District will have a two hour delay on Monday, January 22nd. As such, the high school exam schedule has been modified and can be found HERE. In the event that road conditions do not improve and school is canceled, we will bump the high school exam schedule back by one day. Day 1 of exams would start on Tuesday, January 23rd, Day 2 would be Wednesday, January 24th, and Day 3 would be found Thursday, January 25th.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, the Whitewater area is projected to have nearly a 90% chance of a light layer of glaze ice between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
From late Sunday night to noon Monday, periods of light snow or sleet are likely. Around noon on Monday, a transition to drizzle/freezing drizzle is likely. It’s possible that the resulting ice may impact travel Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Дмитрий Василенко from Pixabay.
Edgerton (10-3) beat Whitewater High School (2-12) in boys’ basketball on Friday, January 19 by a score of 68-91.
Reece Condon led the Whippets with 18 points. Freshman Aaron Garcia entered the starting lineup and had 12 points. Casey Lyon also scored 12, and Marcos Sagrero had 10.
Whitewater played hard the entire game, but could not get stops when they were needed. Edgerton out rebounded the Whippets by a large margin.
Next up, Evansville High School comes to town on Thursday, January 25. All youth wearing a jersey get in free!
Article Submitted by Mike McCabe
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
mccmi01@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Per the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, there will be bitter cold wind chills again early on Sunday morning. A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued once again, from midnight tonight until 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Sarah Knetzke poses with a medal after tying for first on the beam and setting a new program record.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Lebanon, Tenn. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnastics team set a number of records in a historic night in the Tennessee Collegiate Classic Friday night. The Warhawks broke the Division III and UWW record for total score, 194.450, while also setting team and individual records on the balance beam. The meet also featured three Division I opponents: Kent State, Ball State and Southeastern Missouri.
In addition to setting the Division III record, UW-Whitewater’s team total crushed the program record that had stood since 2018 by 0.75.
The Warhawks posted record book-worthy scores throughout the evening, but the final event of the night for UWW was a highlight. UW-Whitewater posted a team total of 48.700 on the balance beam to break the program record. Sarah Knetzke led the way with an incredible 9.925 to tie for first at the meet and set the program record. Her mark is the best on the apparatus for a Warhawk since Allyse Dieringer’s 9.900 in 2014. Chloe Hammond added a 9.85 to finish among the top 10 at the meet followed by Tegan Haberstock’s 9.725. Kelsey Kollhoff posted a 9.650 and Ashnaya Gupta rounded out the scoring five with a 9.550.
UW-Whitewater registered the third-highest team totals in each of the other three events – 48.850 on the floor, 48.400 on the vault and 48.500 on the bars.
The Warhawks opened the meet on the floor exercise. Carleigh Moore’s fantastic performance scored a 9.850, tied for third-best in program history. Haberstock added a top 15 mark in the UWW record book with a 9.800 in the event. Elena Bailey and Knetzke posted 9.750’s while Danielle Dudziak registered a score of 9.700.
Moore paced UWW on the vault with a score of 9.775, tied for 14th in the UWW record book. Dudziak added a 9.725 followed by 9.650’s from Ava Pesch and Elena Bailey. Kora Donley wrapped up the scoring five with a 9.600.
On the uneven bars, Kollhoff and Paige Magel led the Warhawks with matching scores of 9.775, tied for 11th-best in program history. Pesch, Hammond and Dudziak all registered matching scores of 9.650 in the event to add to the team total.
Ball State won the Tennessee Collegiate Classic (198.025) followed by Kent State (197.725), SEMO (197.050) and UWW.
The Warhawks return to Whitewater for their home-opener Saturday, January 27. UWW will host UW-La Crosse at 4 p.m. The Warhawks will celebrate the 10.0 Club, Youth Night and recognize the parents of the 2024 team.
Obituaries
BRADLEY TERESA ANN Teresa Ann Bradley, age 84, of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Fr. Thi Pham officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Teresa Ann was born in Chicago, Illinois, November 23,1940, to Paul and Hildegard (Weinandt) Bradley. She lived on a 5-acre farm in what is … Read more
Read More
Michael “Mike” J. Higgins, age 69, a lifelong resident of Whitewater, passed away May 13, 2025, at home. He was born May 15, 1955, in Fort Atkinson, the son of Merwyn “Mert” and Mary Ann (Krause) Higgins. He attended Whitewater schools and was a long-time mechanic at Fero’s Auto Repair, enjoying lunches at Rick’s at his reserved table. He retired after many years of service of the Whitewater Fire and Rescue Departments as Chief. He enjoyed spending time up north at his property hunting. He leaves behind long-time love of his life, Jody Buckingham and kids, Sherry (Al Jr.) Lemke … Read more
Read More
Susan (Sue) Rhoda Schlough (nee Smith) was born August 11, 1936, in Barron, WI to Daniel and Ella Smith. The second of six siblings born during the Depression years, family-life was a meager and frugal experience, where Sue gained first-hand experience in making best use of all resources to meet the needs of a large family, which served her well in other life endeavors. During Sue’s teenage years, three significant events occurred that would become the foundation of her life’s work and dedication. The first of these events was choosing to become a Methodist, joining her local First United Methodist … Read more
Read More
Jerry Wayne “Gorbs” GorbyDecember 8, 1942 – May 4, 2025 Jerry Wayne Gorby, affectionately known as “Gorbs,” passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 8, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jerry brought joy, humor, and boundless energy to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn Gorby, his daughters Tricia Gorby and Tina Jones (Paul Jones), and his treasured grandchildren: Ciara, Sydney, and Donovan Jones, and Aysha and Kai Knoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Harold Gorby, and his brother, Douglas … Read more
Read More
Mary Karen Erikson, 83, of Eagle, WI passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home. Karen was born on February 10, 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana the daughter of Richard and Neta (McGuire) Stockholm. She moved to Wisconsin with her family and graduated from Whitewater High School. Karen continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she obtained a degree in Education. After undergraduate school, Karen obtained her Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Karen worked at Mukwonago High School for over 30 years as a math teacher, retiring in 1998. … Read more
Read More
Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek. Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960. Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided … Read more
Read More
Dean Chris Dunne, 69, Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Dean was born on May 4, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Chris and Ann (Wagner) Dunne. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1973. Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and was a good water-skier in the day. He and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1980. Dean worked in property maintenance in Las Vegas for over 20 years. He is survived by his children Nicholas (Amber) Dunne, Fort Atkinson, Linsey (Scott) Angione, Las Vegas, Chris (Kristyn) Dunne, Las … Read more
Read More
Kenneth Dale Semrau, 74, of Whitewater, passed away April 26, 2025, in Winterhaven, Fl. Kenneth was born to Donna and Garhart Semrau on February 6th, 1951, in Marinette, WI. Kenneth married Kristy Pfeifer on May 6, 1972. They had two beautiful children Chad and Nicole and five wonderful grandchildren and lots of fur-babies. That made his world complete. Ken retired from Nestle in 2012 and enjoyed retirement by spending his summers at Riverbend Resort in Watertown, WI and the winter in Winterhaven, FL. “Kenny G.” was known for his loving and playful personality. His family was always first and foremost. … Read more
Read More
Bruce E. LaBansky, 75, Whitewater died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Bruce was born on November 28, 1949 in Sauk County, WI to Clarence and Velma (Nelson) LaBansky. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School and received his bachelor’s degree from UW Stevens Point. Faith, family and friends were very important to him. Bruce moved to Whitewater in 1980 where he raised his 3 sons Nelsen, Nathanial, and Nicholas. Bruce was an avid golfer, an outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of all things nature, a sports fan (particularly the Bucks, Brewers and Packers). Family … Read more
Read More
Dr. Holly J. Humphrey November 28, 1956 – April 17, 2025 Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, led the Pritzker School of Medicine through a period of transformative growth that saw the school rise to a place among the nation’s elite institutions of medical education, emerge as a powerhouse of scholarship and discovery, and become a pioneer in efforts to diversify the field of medicine. One of the nation’s most prominent and innovative leaders in medical education, her voice and influence made an immeasurable impact on the field and countless mentees throughout her career. Dr. Humphrey, who served for 15 years as Pritzker’s … Read more
Read More