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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
The Whippet Swimmers took on Beloit Memorial for their last dual meet of the season on Thursday, January 25th! They swam fast on the night, registering 19 of 25 best times and many sitting right on their season bests.
These times include:
The 200 Medley Relay (Wyatt Esch, David Enns, Miles Nickelsburg, and Onyx Thompson) with a time of 2:15.26.
200 Freestyle:
David Enns competed in this event for the first time this season and went a time of 2:45.96.
Myles Morse dropped 5 seconds going a time of 2:08.26
200 IM:
Cruz Aranda dropped 7 seconds by going a time of 2:15.62. He is now 7th on the Whippet Top 10 List!
Miles Nickelsburg also dropped 7 seconds by going a time of 2:37.01
50 Freestyle:
Langdon Coburn went a time of 25.56
Wyatt Esch went a time of 27.40
Isaac Straight went a time of 41.62
100 Butterfly:
Jack Hefty dropped over 3 seconds by going a time of 1:04.19
100 Freestyle:
Cruz Aranda went a 55.20
Angel Kilar went a 1:18.13
500 Freestyle:
Myles Morse went a time of 5:43.06
Wyatt Esch dropped 15 seconds by going a time of 6:42.08
Shout out to the 200 Freestyle Relay (Jack Hefty, Cruz Aranda, Myles Morse, and Langdon Coburn) who placed first overall!
100 Backstroke:
Miles Nickelsburg dropped 4 seconds by going a time of 1:10.33
Angel Kilar dropped 5 seconds by going a time of 1:42.59
400 Freestyle Relay:
Cruz Aranda, Langdon Coburn, Myles Morse, and Jack Hefty went a time of 3:52.49
The Whippets are ready for Championship season as we host Conference on Saturday, February 3. We hope to see the pool packed with Whippet fans!
Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Informatin
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s track and field team finished second of eleven teams in the annual Leonard “Squig” Converse Invitational in Whitewater Friday. Shelvin Garrett II led the Warhawks with a program record in the triple jump – a mark that is also the best in Division III so far this season.
The meet is split into two days of competition with the men competing Friday and the women on Saturday. UW-La Crosse won the men’s meet with a total of 180 followed by UWW with 119. UW-Stevens Point captured third with a score of 76.5 followed by MSOE (69), Carthage (56), St. Norbert (30.5), Wisconsin Lutheran (20), Elmhurst (15, Augustana (6), Concordia Wisconsin (6) and North Central (5).
Garrett II registered a career-best to win the triple jump Friday. His mark of 15.41 meters (50-6.75) broke the over 10-year-old program record by over two inches and is the best mark in Division III so far this season. Garrett II added a second-place finish in the long jump. He tallied another career-best with a mark of 7.15 meters (23-5.50).
Myles Anderson claimed gold in the fastest event of the evening – the 60-meter dash. He edged the competition with a career-best 6.85 while teammate Issac Stanger finished seventh with a clocking of 7.11. Kobe Chandler added first place points to the team total with a time of 50.16 to lead a three-Warhawk contingent in the top eight in the event.
Gunner Schlender posted a five-second career-best to win the 3,000 with a time of 8:13.59. Christian Patzka was less than a tenth of a second back for silver.
Marlon Cystrunk and Tamir Thomas finished back-to-back in the 60-meter hurdles with times of 8.39 and 8.43 respectively. Chandler and Anderson followed suit in the 200 with matching times of 22.54. Chandler got the nod for third place by just .002.
In the final event of the day, UWW’s Drew Davey, Colin Lewandowski, Rhett Reuter and Justin Krause combined for a time of 3:32.88 – good for fourth in the 4×400 meter relay.
After the first four events of the men’s heptathlon, Jack McGinn holds second with 2442 points. Ben Bunton is fourth with a total of 2420. The heptathlon will conclude with the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and 1000-meter Saturday.
Additional Top 8 Finishers: Ben Bojar (6th – 200); Chris Kalies (7th – 200, 5th – 400); Andy VanZile (8th – 200); Brad Heller (6th – 400); Reuter (4th – 800); Krause (5th – 800); Dan Anderson (8th – 3000); Josh Krystosek (4th – high jump); Jared Sudbrink (6th – high jump); Spencer Steffen (7th – high jump); Brady Schaller (6th – pole vault)
Wisconsin Singers at the Young Auditorium – Friday, February 2 @ 7:30 p.m. – All seats are $25.
Wisconsin Singers got a standing ovation for their concert last year at the Young Auditorium, and word of mouth should certainly bring out a larger audience for their return engagement, featuring all new music.
Wisconsin Singers presents When Opposites Attract for its 56 season! This exhilarating pop music revue explores the variation in the world around us, and the unexpected greatness of bringing opposites and difference together. Audiences will enjoy music from legendary artists such as Tina Turner, Queen, Dolly Parton, and Michael Bublé; showstopping numbers from Hamilton, Wicked, Some Like It Hot, and other award-winning musicals; and even favorite tunes from beloved movie soundtracks like High School Musical, A Goofy Movie, and The Breakfast Club. Performed by UW-Maidson’s nationally renowned dancers, singers, and instrumentalists, Wisconsin Singers will ignite the stage with more than 50 songs in their newest original show. The Singers and their ever-contagious Badger spirit are an unforgettable entertainment experience for every age and musical taste!
Tickets may be purchased here.
The fall semester Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has been released by Registrar Kelly Browning. It honors 1,656 students.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time undergraduate must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, or midway between an “A” and “B” average. Area students are listed below by name, hometown and major.
Whitewater, WI
Owen Kramer, Animal Science
Gwen Truesdale, Agricultural Engineering
About UW-River Falls:
UWRF is a student-centered institution that provides excellent accessible academic programs serving the needs of our region, the state and beyond.
“What Happens Later”
Tuesday, January 30, 1 p.m.
(Romance/Comedy) Rated R (Language)
1 hour, 43 minutes (2023)
Two ex-lovers see each other for the first time in years when they are both snowed in at an airport overnight. Starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
ELKHORN, WI – Nearly half of the tickets have already sold for the second annual ‘Casino Night Benefit’ being held on Saturday, February 10th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Geneva Tap House, located at 252 Broad Street in scenic downtown Lake Geneva. Funds raised will be used to support VIP Services and their ongoing community programs and essential services for adults with disabilities.
Tickets for this unforgettable event are only $50 each and include entrance, playing chips, snacks, and a wide selection of beverages including wines, seltzers, and many varieties of beer. Guests will have the opportunity to play blackjack, roulette, craps and Texas hold’em. The top three chip holders at the end of the night will get to pick from the prize table.
Craig Poshepny, Executive Director of VIP Services, sees the benefit as a chance to educate the public about VIP’s many services and create new connections in the community.
“This is such a unique event, and it is also a great forum for talking about those we support in their efforts to overcome challenges and barriers to find employment and other opportunities to become involved in the community,” Poshepny said during a promotional announcement at VIP. “Moving the benefit to Geneva Tap House creates an opportunity to reach a wider audience here in Walworth County, form new partnerships, and hold an even bigger event than we did last year.”
Poshepny said the additional space at Geneva Tap House will make it possible to have additional gaming tables and host more than 150 guests. Those interested in buying or reserving tickets are encouraged to call VIP Services at 262.723.4043 or visit the organization’s offices at 811 Geneva Street in Elkhorn.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our second and final 2024 ATV Safety Education Course on February 6, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and February 17, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County
Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545. Students will need to attend both sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, is required to complete an ATV Safety Education Course in order to legally operate an ATV or UTV in areas open to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of
age or turn 12 shortly after the class.
ATV Safety Education Course
Session 1: Tues., February 6, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Session 2: Sat., February 17, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center
Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
https://www.co.rock.wi.us/departments/sheriff-s-office/recreational-patrol/atv-education
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information.
The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any
questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.
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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