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Today is Sunday, June 8, 2025
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The Whitewater High School Forensics Team kicked off the 2024 season on Saturday at the Polar Plunge Forensics Festival Hosted by Badger High School in Lake Geneva. Five students competed and earned awards across four different categories:
Makayla Bazeley (11) – Prose Reading
Carley Boudreau (11) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
Emilia Houwers (12) – Expository Speech
Marina Linos (12) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
Lauren Rollette (12) – Solo Serious Acting
The event was a great warm-up before the team begins competition in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) State Series at their Subdistrict Tournament at Fort Atkinson High School on February 20th. Students earning a certain number of points on their performances there will qualify for the District Tournament at Stoughton High School in March and the State Tournament at UW-Madison in April. Everyone involved had a lot of fun, and is excited to build on our early success!
Article and Photos Submitted by Elizabeth Miller
Whitewater High School Co-Forensics Coach
emiller@wwusd.org
Elizabeth Stanek of Whitewater has earned Semester Honors for the Fall 2023 semester at Edgewood College. Fulltime students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average for the semester are eligible for this honor.
About Edgewood College
Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership, nursing practice, and business administration.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, fog and freezing fog is expected to develop late this evening over south central Wisconsin. Temperatures tonight will be colder with overnight lows in the mid to upper 20s.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will begin its 2024 Book Club with a study of Poverty, by America, by Matthew Desmond, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Do you wonder why the United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy? Desmond draws upon history, research and original reporting to argue that poverty in America persists because the
rest of us benefit from it. Please join us to investigate new ways of imagining solutions to a morally urgent problem and engage in how to usher in an age of shared prosperity.
Books have been reserved at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library for the group’s use during the study. Please ask at the front desk for a copy. Book Club discussions will be held at the library on the following Thursday evenings, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
February 22, Chapters 1 – 3
March 21, Chapters 4 – 6
April 18, Chapters 7 – 9
The LWV Book Club was formed to help our members and friends engage in meaningful discussions of current notable books dealing with public policy issues of interest to the League. You do not need to be a member of the League to participate. Please contact Deb Gamble (262-583-1946 or shebagam@gmail.com) for questions or further information.
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!
Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is pleased to announce Kendra Lozano, Member Service Representative, and Theresa Huser, Consumer Loan Officer, have earned their designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC).
This certification requires participants to complete the Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) offered by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). The program involves self-study, webinars, and rigorous testing with the aim to identify financial challenges and provide effective intervention not typically offered by for-profit financial institutions.
Lozano and Huser join FCCU’s team of Financial Coaches whose mission is to help members identify goals, raise their credit score to qualify for better rates, reduce loan delinquencies, and improve their overall financial wellbeing. Lozano is bilingual and will utilize her Spanish communication skills to assist and advocate for those in the Hispanic community.
“Kendra and Theresa were the perfect candidates for the FiCEP program and are committed to helping members gain control of their financial future,” said Whitney Townsend, Director of Business and Community Development at FCCU. “Our entire financial coaching team is dedicated to helping members transform their lives and ensure financial well-being for all.”
Individuals with the CCUFC designation are required to recertify every three years to ensure their financial counseling knowledge is current. Members interested in receiving free financial coaching can request an appointment by emailing financialcoaches@fortcommunity.com
About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, or Waukesha counties. With branch locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater, FCCU holds $339 million in assets and has more than 21,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.
Updated 1/28/24 @ 8:00 p.m. to provide details of the CDA meeting.
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Special Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Closed session, to be followed by open session – discussion regarding the resignation of the Economic Development Director
Whitewater Municipal Building Council Chambers,
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 the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83688246954?pwd=LVBI54kl-TrsjidK2Pe4l-Mi5V7AYg.S7kDQ-G5qX-5iPsM
Passcode: 264268
Or Telephone:
Dial: 1 312 626 6799 US
Webinar ID: 836 8824 6954
Passcode: 264268
City of Whitewater Ethics Committee – Thursday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: Closed session Items to be discussed: Consider complaints against elected officials; May re-enter open session at the same place thereafter to act on such matters discussed therein as it deems appropriate.
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 the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83773150974?pwd=XQN0MAk3BjZ01oMA9ldLdLvXMFjn8g.zHzIaEt32XxXnXSl
Passcode: 195569
Or Telephone: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 837 7315 0974
Passcode: 195569
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials have released the names of students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in fall 2023 across its three campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh).
The term grade-point average (GPA) requirement for University Honor Roll is 3.3; the term GPA requirement for Dean’s List is 3.75 out of a possible 4.0.
To qualify, a student must have been enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits. There can be no individual grades below a “C” and no incomplete or non-reported grades at the time the process is run.
Whitewater, WI
Dalia Velazquez, Dean’s list
Julia Feit, Honor Roll
Fabian Gonzalez, Honor Roll
Martin Gonzalez, Honor Roll
Lizbeth Rodriguez, Dean’s list
Allison Martens, Honor Roll
Anderson Waelchli, Honor Roll
If you look through the back issues of the Whitewater Register, you’ll discover that 75 years ago this weekend, “the most destructive sleet storm in three decades” hit Walworth County, knocking out power lines and making roads impassable due to ice and temperatures as low as 14 below. Although that storm had a huge impact at the time, it’s been mostly forgotten about in the wake of all the other storms the area has experienced since.
However, one thing happened that weekend that has endured throughout the ages. On Friday, January 28, 1949, Dick and Bev Grosskreutz became husband and wife. A little bit of sleet and cold didn’t stop them from getting married, and they have weathered everything that’s been thrown at them since. And now, 75 years later, they are looking forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with their family.
Happy 75th anniversary, Bev and Dick!
Submitted by Kelly Grosskreutz
Obituaries
Clarence Everett Hansen, Jr. (Bud), 87, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his family home in LaGrange, WI at 1:30 PM. Bud was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 6, 1937, to Clarence Hansen Sr. and Ruth (Dalson) Hansen and was baptized at Bethlehem Church in Milwaukee. Bud graduated from Lutheran High School in Milwaukee on June 9, 1955. Following high school, Bud enlisted in the US Army and was a light weapons specialist and sharpshooter. He was stationed in Germany and upon honorable discharge, served in the Army Reserves until 1962. Bud married his wife, of 63 … Read more
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Edward (Ed) Geske passed away to the Great Workshop in the Sky on May 25, 2025, due to years of severe infections of the urinary tract. Edward E. Geske was born on Thanksgiving Day to Elmer and Alice McMillan Geske on November 25, 1943 at the family home in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He was accompanied by his twin sister, Marjorie, on this momentous occasion. Edward’s siblings are: Nancy(Tom) Trewyn, Arlene (Richard) Trewyn, Marjorie Petska, Susan (Gordy) Gimiski, Ray (Patti) Geske, and Mary (Gale) Smith. Ed grew up and attended elementary school in Lima Center, WI, later graduating from Whitewater High School. … Read more
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Irv A. Madsen, 86, Whitewater, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 02, 2025. He was born in Askov, MN on May 20, 1938, to Ludvig and Augusta Madsen. Irv graduated from Amery High School in 1956 and received his Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Whitewater in 1960 and his Master’s Degree from UW-Madison in 1965. He began his career teaching Business Education at Milton High School and then moved to UW-Whitewater to become the Director of Admissions for 42 years. During his time at UW-Whitewater he coached Women’s Softball, announced Football games for 50 years and was “the voice of … Read more
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Faith Ann Hansen, 83, passed away on the evening of Monday, May 19th at Alden Estates in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was born on April 20th, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Donald Hansen and Doris (Ceel) Hansen. Faith graduated from Brookfield Central High School. Following high school she married Clarence (Bud) Hansen, Jr. and owned and ran the Twin Oaks Inn bar in Little Prairie, WI. Faith then worked at the Lakeland Nursing Home for over 30 years, while there earning her nursing degree from MATC in 1992. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater … Read more
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Ann S. Eckert, 85, of Port Charlotte, FL, died on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Advent Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. She was born in Madison, WI, on October 16, 1939. Ann was the only child of Clifford and Virginia Peterson. Ann was married for 65 years to Rev. Jerry Eckert. They had two children, David and Karen. Ann was a 1957 graduate of New London High School and earned her BS degree at Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX, in 1961 with a major in home economics education. She taught a year in Seagoville, TX, and a part of … Read more
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Robert (Bob) John O’Hara, a cherished member of our family and friends, passed away May 19, 2025. Bob was born September 14, 1956, to Charlotte Anna (Wallack) Lewers and Robert James O’Hara. Bob grew up in Elk Grove Village, IL and graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1974. He relocated to Whitewater, WI in 1986 and worked various warehouse distribution positions and ended his career as a manager. A significant life event occurred in 1998 when his precious daughter, Kelly Lynd O’Hara, was born. Kelly was an important focus of his life and he enjoyed watching her grow … Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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