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Today is Monday, May 11, 2026
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The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is hosting a Chess Club meeting on Tuesday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. This is a new group that is open to everyone in the community of all ages.
All skill levels, whether you are a beginner or an expert or anywhere in between, are welcome to join. A limited number of chess boards will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a chess set and/or clock if possible.
There is no cost or registration to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-568-2782.
The Whippet High School Volleyball Program, under the direction of Head Coach Mary Kilar, recently welcomed 73 youth from entering kindergarten through 8th grade to their youth volleyball skills camp. The high school team members and coaching staff worked with the youth for a three-day camp covering passing, setting, serving, and attacking. Special thanks to our local businesses Culver’s, Rocky’s, McDonald’s, and Brain Freeze for supporting some treats for the campers! Fun was had by all!
The youth are invited to Youth Night on August 31st when the Whippets take on Wilmot at home for a match. Youth will be invited to the court prior to warmups of the varsity match to make a tunnel for the athletes and after the match to pass with the Whippets! JV matches start at 5:00 p.m. and Varsity at 6:30 p.m.
Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
marykilar10@gmail.com
It’s time once again for #flashbackfriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we begin a series of photos taken by our late member George Scharfenberg, who was always there with a camera taking photos of local businesses in the 1990s and early 2000s. Here he documents the Speedway gas station sometime in the early 2000s. It was located where the auto parts store is at the intersection of West Main Street and Elizabeth Street.
Speedway was a popular late 20th century chain of gas stations that also served as convenience stores, but many have closed or been renamed. Competition in the gas station/convenience store field has been heavy during the past 20 years as seen in Whitewater with the Casey’s and Kwik Trip chains.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Photo from the George Scharfenberg collection, Whitewater Historical Society.
1 IF BY LAND—2 IF BY SEA (OR LAKE)! They arrived by bus and by boat and some by car. And they all had a great time. Saturday, July 29th the Whitewater Lions Club hosted the B O L D (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) fishing and fun day on the water. The Lions greeted the VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons), their family members, chaperones, and guide dogs. After enjoying a great lunch of brats, burgers, salads and yummy homemade desserts, the guests were guided to the Whitewater Lakeshore where they met the members of the Lake Association who volunteered to take some of them to go fishing. Others had the option of cruising the lake or even waterskiing, assisted by members of the Southern Wakes United Waterskiing Team, The Boat House, and Whitewater Lake Boat Rentals.
A very tired group of the VIP’s, Lions, and fantastic volunteers returned to the clubhouse for some refreshments and awards for best fish, waterskiing, tubing, and having a great day in the sun.
Huge rummage sale Thursday and Friday 9-4 p.m., and Saturday 9-Noon 1/2 price (some exclusions) Aug 3-5th. 502 Ventura Ln, Whitewater. Charming decorative home items like pictures, new couch pillows, candles, lampshades, canister set, entire beautiful king comforter set with coordinating curtains, valances, pillow shams, euro shams, bed skirt, and four decorative throw pillows. Dining chair covers, Twin GB Packers comforter and accessories. Luggage and lots of other miscellaneous household items. LOTS of clean, well-kept name brand clothes. Men’s size M, XL and XXL. Dress shirts and dress pants/jeans mostly 36×32 or 38×32 and women’s clothes SM/M sizes 6-8. Men’s shoes/boots size 12 and women’s shoes size 8.
We are so excited to support our young talent! Please join us on Thursday, August 3rd @ Cravath Lakefront Park starting at 7 p.m. to welcome the UW-Whitewater Pop, Rock, and Music Production Camp.
These young musicians have worked so hard and would like to showcase their talents for the entire community. This event is free and open to the entire community!
Thank you to this years sponsor Whitewater TDS @tdsfiber
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
Join the Jefferson County Health Department at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to learn how to recognize, prevent, and respond to an opioid overdose by using naloxone (Narcan). Naloxone is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. The community is welcome to attend this free training on Wednesday, August 9 at 5:30 p.m.
During this one-hour training, participants will take a deeper dive into learning what an opioid is, how they affect the brain, and how an overdose occurs. With these fundamentals, participants will also learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose, how to administer Narcan correctly, and provide care for someone who overdoses.
Participants will receive a free kit of Narcan and a certificate of completion wallet card. Additional opioid resources will be available as well.
Please call 920-728-7687 to register in advance or visit the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org and click on “Events—Registration Forms.” Note that there must be a minimum of five participants signed up for each training or it will be canceled.
All adult community members are welcome to attend. The library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-568-2782.
Editor’s note: The following announcement was submitted by Jeff Weigel.
The Creek is looking fantastic due to the consistent efforts of an amazing volunteer crew, but there is still plenty of work to do! Join members of the Whitewater Creek Coalition every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. at the skate park (Brewery Hill Park) to get involved.
Click on the link below or send an email to friendsofwhitewatercreek@gmail.com for more information. See you at the creek!
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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