Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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.
This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Columbian Exposition which was held in Chicago. Carol McLernon will talk about the Columbian Exposition at the Gathering Place, 715 Campus St. in Milton next Wednesday, November 15 at 10:00. She will explain that her interest in the fair began many years ago when she was given a doll that came from the World’s Fair.
Her presentation will be entitled “Wisconsin goes to the Big Fair.” Among the Wisconsinites who visited the fair were Harry Houdini and Frank Lloyd Wright. Other famous persons were Scott Joplin, Helen Keller, and Frederick Douglass.
McLernon will describe the extreme size of the buildings and grounds of the fair as well as the huge amount of work involved in preparation for the fair. She will explain how the White City acquired its name.
Attendees are invited to find pictures of the World’s Fair on the Internet before November 15. The Gathering Place will provide Cracker Jacks.
“Golda”
Tuesday, November 14, 1 p.m.
(Biography/History/Drama)
Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 40 minutes (2023).
Set during the tense 19 days of the Yom Kippur war in 1973, Israeli prime Minister Golda Meir (a Milwaukee native) navigates overwhelming odds, a skeptical Cabinet, and a complex relationship with US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, while millions of lives hang in the balance. Stars Helen Mirren and Liev Schreiber.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. There is no charge.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Stevens Point, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 campaign with a gritty 65-62 win over Concordia-Moorhead in their first game of the Tip-Off Classic hosted by UW-Stevens Point Friday. The No. 9 Warhawks return to action Saturday in Stevens Point against St. Norbert College at 1 p.m.
Senior forward Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) got UW-Whitewater off to a great start hitting seven of her first eight shots to post 14 points in the first quarter. The Cobbers narrowed the gap by outscoring the Warhawks each of the next two quarters to bring the score to 44-43 in favor of UWW heading into the fourth.
By the fourth, fouls became a big issue for both teams. In the final period of play, the squads sent a player to the line a total of 20 times with 17 of the 40 points in the quarter coming from the charity stripe.
The teams traded buckets through the first half of the final quarter until UWW went on an 8-0 run to take a 60-55 lead with 3:17 remaining. Concordia whittled the lead away by way of the free throw line and tied the game at 62 with 25 seconds left. The Warhawks ran 18 seconds off the clock until the Cobbers fouled. Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) knocked down both from the charity stripe with seven seconds left.
Concordia called timeout and advanced the ball to center court. Their final possession ended in a charge call with two seconds left. One final trip to the line for Grundahl gave the Warhawks the final, 65-62.
Fouls were a big part of the game with 25 whistles on UWW and 20 on Concordia. The Warhawks hit 14-17 from the line while the Cobbers were 19-23. UW-Whitewater held a hefty advantage in points in the paint, 36-26.
Grundahl led all players with 21 points on 9-13 from the floor. She added three rebounds and four steals. Carollo ended with 15, bolstered by a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe adding seven assists and four steals in the contest. Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) wrapped up the double-digit scorers with 14 on 4-7 from the field, 2-3 from beyond the arc and 4-4 from the free throw line. Mallory Oloffson (Normal, Ill./Normal Community) led UWW under the rim with six boards.
We hope to see you at the first indoor market of the season, which will be held inside the Irvin L Young Memorial Library at 431 W Center Street. The market runs from 10 a.m. to noon, through April. Thank you for your ongoing support of the vendors. We are excited to see you there!
Esperamos verte en el primer Mercado de la temporada se encuentra en la Bibloteca Conmemorativa Irvin L Young en 431 W Center Street. El mercado estará abierto de 10 am a mediodía. Gracias por tu continuo apoyo a los vendedores. ¡Estamos emocionados de verte allí!
This week’s vendors/Los vendedores de esta semana:
Best Taste
Carol McLernon
Good Dog Farms LLC
Jackie’s Small Batch Bakery
Kettle Farm and Fiber/Wild Roots
Kettle Moraine Honey
Kristie’s Creative Kitchen
Mudders Dream
Pat Hall
Rose Verduzco Baking
Stephani’s Spot
The Vegetable Stand
Whitewater Grocery Co
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. In honor of Veteran’s Day tomorrow, we salute the rapidly diminishing group of World War II veterans. The old Whitewater Armory was completed in 1942, during World War II and it was the logical site for the World War II “Honor Roll,” the list of names of people of the Whitewater area who were serving in the war. This post card, probably taken between 1942 and 1945 shows this large sign, clearly showing that most young men (and probably some women) in the area were serving.
We thank all veterans for their service, in war and in peacetime.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(2125PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Chiemsee2016 from Pixabay.
mage by Chiemsee2016 from Pixabay
FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR LIBRARY DIRECTOR, STACEY LUNSFORD
Community members are invited to a farewell reception for Stacey Lunsford, Director of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. She has served in this position for 22 years. Join us to celebrate her many accomplishments, including a successful Capital Fundraising Campaign for the Library’s upcoming Expansion and Renovation Project.
Refreshments will be served in the library’s Community Room on Friday, November 10 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. The library is located at 431 West Center Street in Whitewater.
The City of Whitewater Landmark Commission has finally produced Landmark Trek – The Depot Part 2. This Episode 4 covers the Whitewater Passenger Depot history from 1951 to 2023. Come view all the transformations and events that have happened at this Whitewater treasure here or below:
You can also view Episode 3, The Depot Part 1, as well as all five episodes of Landmark Trek at this link.
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
Other Recent Posts
Click on the title to view the post. To open the post in a new tab, press Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) while clicking on the title.
