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Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The Community Space (TCS) recognized their fifth anniversary on February 1 with a Celebration Open House including a potluck picnic. TCS gratefully accepts donations from Feeding America, businesses, and individuals, stocking the large building with food, clothing, furniture, books, and housewares. It’s something like a thrift store with food, except everything is free, and it’s open to all, without restrictions. No one knows if there’s anything like it, anywhere in the country, and it’s run entirely with volunteers and donations. Hours are Tuesday 8:30-11:00 a.m., Wednesday 3:30-7:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. – noon. Donations are accepted at the rear of the building during the same hours, up until fifteen minutes before closing. TCS is located at 834 E. Milwaukee Street in Whitewater. The organization recently achieved 501(c)(3) status, and monetary donations may be sent to P. O. Box 213, Whitewater, WI 53190. More information may be found on their website.
Remarks that were given at the celebration by Executive Director Kristine Zaballos, and Site Manager Kay Robers, as well as by Jorge Islas-Martinez and two English as a Second Language (ESL) learners may be viewed here. Zaballos and Robers provided some of the history of the Community Space, including the essential food and services that they provided to many people during the early days of COVID-19. Of particular note was the generosity of the Coburn family in donating the use of the former Coburn Company building for the agreed upon rent of $10 per month. Zaballos indicated that she doesn’t remember ever paying the rent. Islas-Martinez, who co-founded and directs the ESL program for the Whitewater Unified School District, expressed appreciation for the opportunity that TCS has offered to provide space for morning classes. Previously the classes had only been scheduled in the evening at the high school, when some interested people were unable to attend. Anna and Margarita, two of the successful students, spoke and expressed how much of a difference it has made for them to be able to communicate in English.
The following area students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year, ending December 2023.
Qualification for the Dean’s List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned at least a 3.5 semester grade point average and carried a minimum of 12 credits.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions comprising the Universities of Wisconsin. UWL offers 130-plus degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels in arts, social science and humanities; science and health; business; and education. UW-La Crosse – www.uwlax.edu – is a top-ranked national university.
Students on the Dean’s List from this area include:
Whitewater, WI
Bryce Hibbs, Communication Studies Major: Organizational and Professional Communication Emphasis
Josie Hintz, Finance Major
Morgan Janovec, National Student Exchange
Catherine Skindingsrude, Biology Major
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club will be holding a sit-down, dine-in Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 16 from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (or until the pancakes run out). All are invited to bring their appetites to the Old Armory, 146 W. North Street, in downtown Whitewater. No tickets will be sold, and people are asked to make a donation of at least $7 to help cover the food costs and support our charitable mission. Additional donations are welcome to help support the children that Kiwanis serves.
Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club President Patrick Taylor said, “We are so excited to see people in person and enjoy camaraderie and friendship as we feast on the delicious Kiwanis pancakes and Jones sausage. The Old Armory has been our home-base for years, and we are continuing that tradition.”
Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100% of funds raised going directly to youth projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past five 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 Patrick Taylor at Petaylor.law@gmail.com.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
Whitewater’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America [FBLA] traveled to Columbus High School on Saturday, February 3rd for the Regional Leadership Conference. It was filled with inspiring future and business experiences. Six members of the group qualified to compete at the state competition, including Ghati Binagi and Alexandra Meyer with Broadcast Journalism, Mia Islas with Public Speaking, Aidyn Amundson and Xavier Zei with their Business Plan, and finally, Jared Apgar with Word Processing. The students are thrilled to be traveling to Green Bay in April for the state competition.
Mia Islas – FBLA President
Ghati Binagi – FBLA Vice President
Alex Meyer – FBLA Secretary
Article and Photo Collage Submitted by Baron West
Whitewater High School FBLA Advisor
bwest@wwusd.org
Saint Francis (9-11) beat the Whitewater Boys’ Basketball Team (3-16) in overtime on Tuesday, February 6. The final score was 85-82.
Reece Condon led Whitewater with 25 points and tied the game in the final seconds of regulation by taking the ball strong to the hoop. Coach McCabe said, “Reece is a player. He’s smooth. I really hope we can fight our way into third place in the conference by winning out. I’d love to get Reece on that All-Conference Team where he deserves to be. He’s playing at a very high-level.”
Casey Lyon had 10 points. Jaylyn Ewing had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Wyatt Nixon and Marcos Sagrero added in 11 points each.
For the Mariners, Cam Nerby came into the game averaging 20 points and scored 27. Kennan Green led the Saint Francis with 29 points.
Next up, the Whippets travel to Delavan-Darien High School on Thursday, February 8, for a conference matchup with the Comets.
Article Submitted by Mike McCabe
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
mccmi01@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The Common Council at its February 6 meeting spent over an hour interviewing the seven individuals who had applied to serve out one of the two unexpired terms resulting from the passing of at-large member Jim Allen and the resignation of District 1 representative David Stone. Three of the applicants had served previously on the council, two of whom were chosen to fill the vacant seats. Each of the candidates was asked a standard list of eight questions, including their reasons for seeking a seat, their qualifications, and their perspectives on items such as council transparency and budget decisions.
Curtis Knull and Patrick Singer applied to serve as the representative for District 1 until April, 2025. After the interviews the council voted by secret ballot and appointed Singer to the position. Though he has continued to actively participate in city government, currently by serving as chair of the Community Development Authority, Singer chose not to seek reelection to the council in 2021. He had served for 14 years, initially representing the 5th District, and beginning in 2013, in one of the two at-large positions.
Joseph Kromholz, Carol McCormick, Greg Majkrzak, Michael Smith, and Keith Staebler applied to serve as an at-large member until April 16, 2024. Majkrzak, who served previously representing District 5, and Staebler are the two candidates who will appear on the April 2 ballot for the same seat. Although candidates for an interim position are allowed to run for the permanent seat, Council President Neil Hicks expressed the opinion that it would be best not to chose one of those individuals, as he offered them the opportunity to withdraw their applications. Neither did so. Again using secret ballots, the council chose McCormick to fill a role that will be expected to include attendance at only four regular council meetings. She decided not to run for reelection in 2023 after representing District 1 on the council for six years.
After taking the oath of office Singer and McCormick were immediately seated at the council table to participate in the remainder of the meeting.
Councilmembers expressed appreciation that so many individuals were willing to serve in the interim positions, and Hicks encouraged all of them to consider getting involved by applying to serve on a board or commission.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announced its 2023 winter graduating class.
The following students who consider Whitewater to be their home earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at winter commencement, held December 16, 2023:
Patrice Achu graduated with the following degree: Business Administration – DBA
Lucas Ackman graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Media Arts and Game Development – BS
Kenna Breckon graduated with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
Case Calhoun graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Mathematics – BS
Gia Donofrio graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Communication – BA
Ian Drays graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE
Devin Fitzer graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Information Technology – BBA
Anthony Gamboeck graduated Cum Laude with the following degree: Finance – BBA
Lucas Gonzalez graduated with the following degree: Physical Education – BSE
Bennett Grzeszczak graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA
Jaylah Harris graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
Hawk Heffner graduated with the following degree: General Business – BBA
Taylor Jacque graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BS
Cally Julson graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE
Ben Kloskey graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Geography – BS
Brett Knowlton graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA
Natalie LaBreche graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: English Literature & Language Arts Education – BSE
Anthony LaPoint graduated with the following degree: Sociology – BS
Rylan Maly graduated with the following degree: Finance – BBA
Meg McGinley graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
Rachel Mickelson graduated Summa Cum Laude with the following degree: Accounting – BBA
Katlyn Miller graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Early Childhood Education – BSE
Trevin Oertel graduated with the following degree: Environmental Safety and Health – MS
Benjamin Oldenburg graduated with the following degree: Mathematics – BS
Molly Parrish graduated with the following degree: Applied Arts and Sciences – BAAS
Evan Shaw graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Geography – BS
Shelby Starrett graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Art Education – BSE
Zeke Steuerwald graduated with the following degree: Certificate – School Business Management
Brandon Terwilliger graduated with the following degree: Music – BM
Brooks Tiedeman graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Elementary Education – BSE
Jacob Veeder graduated with the following degree: Supply Chain Management – BBA
Chloe Welak graduated with the following degree: Supply Chain Management – BBA
April Wright graduated with the following degree: Liberal Arts – AA
Conner Young graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: Legal Studies – BS
Shaun Young graduated with the following degree: Environmental Safety and Health – MS
Andrea Zimmermann graduated with the following degree: Psychology – BS
Mark Zimmermann graduated Magna Cum Laude with the following degree: History – BSE
Approximately 620 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees at the ceremony, held at Kachel Fieldhouse in the Williams Center.
The graduating class included three international students, 64 military veterans and 141 nontraditional students, defined as undergraduate students who are 25 years of age or older. In addition, 74 self-identified students with disabilities received degrees.
A total of 50 students participated in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign, which celebrates students who landed a job, earned acceptance to graduate school or started their own business before commencement.
All those associated with the Whitewater campus and anyone from the community are invited to FREE SPAGHETTI MEALS. This is held every Monday, from February 12 through May 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The location is the Congregational United Church of Christ, 133 S. Franklin Street, Whitewater, WI. There will be sit-down meals and fresh or frozen carry-outs available. The menu is spaghetti pasta, two Italian meatballs, and your choice of sauce either marinara or alfredo, with Parmesan cheese and Italian spices. This is coordinated by Congregational UCC and First English Lutheran Church, Whitewater.
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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