Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
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Today is Monday, May 11, 2026
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PALMYRA, Wis. – Riding with Angels announced their 2nd Annual Open House and Fundraiser!
On Saturday, August 26th, 2023 from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. the community is invited to experience all that Riding with Angels has to offer and see the farm in action. Riding with Angels’ mission is twofold. First, Riding with Angels rescues horses in dire situations nursing them back to health and providing a safe environment for them to thrive again. Second, Riding with Angels uses these rescued horses to provide a youth horsemanship program to youth facing adversity or challenges. The youth horsemanship program focuses primarily on youth 7 to 18 who might not otherwise get a chance to experience the healing wonder of working with horses.
The event will have rescue horse spotlights along with horse demonstrations including dressage, liberty, obstacles and jumping. We’ll have a horse drill team performance, roping demonstrations, live music and a silent auction. Children of all ages will enjoy “painting a horse,” kids’ crafts, pony rides and a petting zoo. We’ll also have food and drinks. Event attendees will also be able to talk with some of the young people who have participated in our youth horsemanship program to hear about their experiences.
“It’s been nearly 25 years since we began our journey in Palmyra and we’re thrilled to be celebrating with our community this summer” says Marianne Schulz, Riding with Angels’ Director. It’s with your support that we can continue helping these amazing creatures and provide a youth horsemanship program. In doing so, we provide a place for horses and youth to foster hope and healing.
Riding with Angels’ address is W691 CTH-CI, Palmyra, WI 53156. Check out our website at https://www.ridingwithangelswi.org
You can also connect with the Riding with Angels on Facebook and YouTube @ RIDINGWITHANGELS
FORT ATKINSON – Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the opening of a new Cardiology department, which will bring heart and cardiovascular care under the direction of cardiologists with Fort HealthCare. With the opening of Fort HealthCare Cardiology, patients will receive heart and cardiovascular care from specialists in our network.
Fort HealthCare Cardiology will offer diagnosis, treatment and preventive care for heart and cardiovascular conditions, including angina, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, peripheral arterial disease, and more.
Raaid Museitif, MD, a Cardiologist who specializes in Nuclear Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Vascular Interpretation, will be leading the new department. Dr. Museitif earned his MD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
“We are excited to bring Cardiology under the expanding umbrella of care services at Fort HealthCare,” said Michael Anderson, MD, President and CEO of Fort HealthCare. “With our new team of cardiologists, we will be able to offer high quality care services for heart and cardiovascular patients in our community.”
Dr. Museitif expects to begin seeing patients in September. “I am pleased to join the team of physicians at Fort HealthCare,” he said. “Fort HealthCare Cardiology will pair cutting-edge technology with a high standard of patient-focused care to serve patients closer to home.”
To learn more about Fort HealthCare Cardiology and cardiac services, visit FortHealthCare.com/Service/Cardiology/.
About Fort HealthCare
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. FortHealthCare.com.
“The Quiet Girl”
Wednesday, August 16, 1 p.m.
(Drama/Foreign Film)
Rated PG-13; 1 hour, 35 minutes. (2022)
Our monthly art film is the Winner of AARP Best Foreign Film; and Academy Award nominee Best International Film. Rural Ireland, 1981. A shy, neglected daughter is sent away to Dublin, where she blossoms with her foster parents. This is the first-ever film in the Irish language to be nominated for an Oscar.
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Executive Order #209 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Aug. 12, 2023, in honor of Lance Corporal Tanner Kaltenberg, who passed away on July 23, 2023, at the age of 19. “Our hearts are heavy for Lance Corporal Tanner Kaltenberg’s loved ones, fellow Marines, and the Verona community as they mourn this tragic loss,” said Gov. Evers. “On behalf of our state, we honor him for his service and selflessness as he is laid to rest in his home state. He will be missed by all those who knew him and will not be forgotten.” Following his graduation from Verona Area High School in May 2021, Lance Corporal Kaltenberg enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed boot camp at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. He was also stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and, most recently, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Lance Corporal Kaltenberg was a motor vehicle operator of Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group. During his service, Lance Corporal Kaltenberg received the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Services for Lance Corporal Kaltenberg will be held on Sat., Aug. 12, 2023, in Verona. Editor’s note: This article provides details concerning the death of Lance Corporal Kaltenberg and two other U.S. Marines. |
Carol McLernon writes, “Last week, my neighbor, Darryl Pieper, suffered a cardiac event in the vicinity of McDonald’s while driving to the pharmacy to get his wife Darlene’s prescription. A nurse who happened to be nearby tended to Darryl and comforted Darlene. The paramedics arrived promptly and administered appropriate care. A kind university student offered assistance and went for the prescription using his own money although Darlene had given him money. The nurse took her to the hospital in Janesville. How blessed we are to have these and other wonderful young people here in Whitewater.”
Our thanks to Carol McLernon for sharing that beautiful account, which she titled “Young Heroes.”
Darlene’s son, Anthony Menneke, posted the following words of thanks on the Facebook page of the local Whitewater Anything Forum. Through the comments that were made on that post it was learned that the nurse is Ashley Voigt, and the young man is a student at UW-Whitewater.
Anthony Menneke writes, “Want to give a huge shout out and thank you to the nurse and young man that helped my stepdad and mom last Wednesday night. They were driving and turned by the McDonald’s when my stepdad who has been having heart issues blacked out and they went over the curb at McDonald’s and hit a bush which stopped the car. My mom called 911. Luckily they or no one was hurt. Luckily a woman in the parking lot is a nurse and immediately checked on my stepdad. Police arrived and they pulled him out of the car and immediately started CPR. A nice young man/student sat with my mom calming her down and helping her. Rescue squad arrived and took him to the Janesville hospital. He coded twice in the ambulance but they got him back. This amazing nurse that checked on my stepdad when they crashed was gracious enough to take my mom to the hospital. My stepdad is doing well and getting a pacemaker today. Want to give a huge thank you to this young woman/nurse, the young man who comforted my mom while they were working on my stepdad, Whitewater PD, and the EMTs that brought him back. We are blessed to still have him. Whitewater is an amazing community.”
Editor’s comment: The following post was made on August 10 on the City of Fort Atkinson Facebook page. It elicited many posted grateful comments from Fort residents and their chamber of commerce. Many tree lawns in Fort have still been piled high with tree branches as a result of the storm that brought very strong straight line winds to the city on July 28.
It’s time once again for #flashbackfriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Here is the 2nd of our series of change in Whitewater businesses taken by George Scharfenberg in the 1990s and early 2000s. This photo is from 1994, when the Skindingsrude Furniture Store went out of business.
The Skindingsrude furniture and funeral business began on Main Street in 1926 and eventually the funeral business was relocated to a home that once stood next to the First English Lutheran Church on West Main Street. Later, the furniture store moved to this location on Whitewater Street, now the location of Second Salem Brewing Company. It was very common in the 19th and early 20th centuries for furniture stores and funeral services to be part of the same business.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Photo from the George Scharfenberg photo collection, Whitewater Historical Society.
Obituaries
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
Carol Ann Seebruch, 88 of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 3, 2026. Carol was born July 12, 1937 in Chicago IL to William and Ann Borovec. She married Marvin Seebruch on June 9, 1984. Carol and Marvin enjoyed traveling the United States making it to 48 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol is survived by her three children; Bill Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Terri Laban of Whitewater, WI, and Donna (Mike) Jones of Crivitz, WI. She … Read more
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