Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Willow Brook Golf Course will be hosting a Christmas party for their last Fish Fry of the year! A toy and food drive will be hosted with opportunity to win a variety of gift baskets.
Be sure to wear your Christmas Spirit!
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club thanks everyone in Whitewater for purchasing poinsettias this holiday to raise funds to help children.
Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Co-President Corey Davis said, “We were delighted to be able to sell florist-quality poinsettias again this year, with the funds helping children in our community and the world as well as brightening your holidays.”
Special thanks go to Kiwanian Albert Stanek for leading the sales and distribution, as well as the First United Methodist Church for hosting the plant delivery and staging area.
Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. Over the past several years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park. Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.
If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Thursday at 6 a.m. until Friday at 6 a.m. Technically the advisory only applies to the Jefferson County portion of the city, but the forecast for the city in general is for 2-4″ of snow. The system is anticipated to arrive in our area between 9-11 a.m. on Thursday.
According to the weather service, “Light to moderate snow will overspread southern WI Thursday morning from west to east. The snow will remain fairly steady north of Madison and Milwaukee through Thursday night and into Friday morning, while the snow may be intermittent from Madison to Milwaukee and south to the IL border for Thursday morning into the early afternoon, then steadier snow later in the day and night….Only minor blowing and drifting snow is expected with this storm.”
New Berlin West beat Whitewater 72-31 in girls’ basketball action on Tuesday, December 17. After the game started 12-12, West went on a 23-4 run to close the first half with a halftime score of 35-16.
Freshman Emery Kachel led the Whippet scoring with 12 points, including three 3-pointers.
Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Karmyn Diane Meissner, 70 years of age, of Janesville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 9th, 2024.
Karmyn was born on May 1st, 1954, in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin to Alex and Elizabeth (Culton) Meissner. Karmyn was an avid animal lover wanting to take in any animal she saw. She loved horses and had a few throughout her life along with many other dogs, cats, birds, and the occasional squirrel. She was a lover of history and mysteries and was most interested in the Egyptian culture, as well as shipwrecks like the Titanic.
Karmyn is survived by her brother, Murf (Vicki) Luebke, stepbrother, Dennis (Debbie) Rosenthal, and stepsister Rie (Chuck) Manley; her 3 children: Jason Robertson (Portia Diamond), Justin Robertson (Theresa Gleesing), and Billie Jo Hartin (Rick Crest); her grandchildren: Destiny (Chris) Howell, Alyssa Hartin (Maurice Young), Noah Hartin, Ashlie Urban, Teagan Robertson, and Brooke Robertson. Also her 4 great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
Karmyn was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth (Culton) Meissner, her father, Alex Meissner, and her stepmother Mary (Rosenthal) Meissner, as well as her sister Cindy (Jerry) DeMott.
No services will be held at her request. All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services of Janesville is assisting the family.
All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services
Janesville, Wisconsin
(608) 754-8700
The Whitewater High School automotive program recently received a generous donation of a used tire machine and tire balancer from Burtness Chevrolet of Whitewater, valued at approximately $2,000. The equipment, delivered just before the Thanksgiving break, will enhance hands-on learning by providing students with real-world experience in tire installation and balancing—essential skills in automotive maintenance.
“This donation is a game-changer for our program,” said Justin Buntrock, WHS automotive teacher. “Having access to professional-grade equipment allows our students to work with industry-standard tools, better preparing them for careers in the automotive field. We are incredibly thankful to Burtness Chevrolet and the Burtness family for their generosity and dedication to student success.”
The donation highlights Burtness Chevrolet’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and workforce development in Whitewater.
WHS offers career-focused educational opportunities through partnerships with local businesses. The automotive program is open to students grades 9 through 12, with courses including Small Engines, Auto Service Fundamentals, Auto Tech 2, Advanced Automotive, and Consumer Home & Auto.
For more information about the WHS automotive program or to explore partnership opportunities, please contact Justin Buntrock at 262-472-8173 or jbuntrock@wwusd.org.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.
The following alert was posted to the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Over the last several days, our agency has taken reports of individuals who received messages on their computers about a data breach or being infected with a virus. The individuals were provided a phone number to call and spoke with subjects purporting to be from tech support and/or financial institutions. The individuals allowed remote access to their computer and/or were directed to withdraw cash from their accounts which was subsequently turned over to a male courier who came to their houses.
We ask that you to be mindful of this scam occurring in the area. If you receive a notification on your device about a virus or data breach:
DO NOT respond by calling the number listed on the screen
DO NOT allow remote access to your device
DO NOT withdraw cash at the request of someone you don’t know or trust
If you have experienced similar incidents recently, please feel free to contact your local law enforcement agency to make a report and seek further guidance. Thank you!
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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