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Today is Monday, May 11, 2026
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Friday and Saturday, 7/7 & 7/8 8 am to 4 pm.
N7375 East Lakeshore Drive, Whitewater (WW Lake)
Womens clothing small – XXL, household, fishing equipment, tools, gardening items and much more.
Something for everyone!
Rummage/yard sale
Thursday, Friday 10-4
Saturday 9-12
233 N Queen St, Whitewater
Includes misc household, vintage Hallmark ornaments never removed from box, Beanie Babies, yard tools including shovels, sledgehammer, hand saws, vintage board and electronic games, round glass top patio table with chairs, four wood frame and canvas captain’s chairs, bird baths, vintage watering cans, wash tub, milking stool, hand meat grinders, kids play irons, vintage oil cans, brass bilge pump, newer twin air mattress, 24″ electric hedge trimmer, boom box with removable speakers, VHS tapes, dry wall tools, 2 Marlcont tents 7X7 never removed from box.
One in Four people aged 65 and older has a fall each year! Stepping On graduates have a 31% reduced rate of falls!
The ADRC of Rock County, in partnership with SSM Health Systems- Janesville, is pleased to offer Stepping On, our most popular health and wellness class for those ages 60+ starting July 11, 2023.
Stepping On is a seven-week workshop proven to help participants prevent falls. The classes will include strength and balance exercises, home safety check suggestions, expert guest speakers, and a medication review. The workshop is for people who have fallen and for people who fear falling.
A Stepping On workshop will be held on seven Tuesday mornings from 9:30- 11:30 a.m. at SSM health in Janesville from July 11- August 29, 2023 (no class 8/15). A suggested donation of $15 is asked to cover the cost of class materials. Space is limited to 12-14 participants.
For questions, or to register by July 7th, 2023 call the ADRC of Rock County at: (608) 757-5309 or email: Lisa.messer@co.rock.wi.us
The program was developed by Dr. Lindy Clemson of Sydney, Australia, to help older adults learn ways to prevent falls. It was brought to the United States by Dr. Jane Mahoney, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, with funding from the CDC and other partners.
Editor’s note: The ADRC of Rock County has indicated to The Banner that, while Rock County residents have priority, they are happy to accommodate residents of other counties when space is available.
Bethel House has announced that Sydney Johnson has joined the organization as the new Director of Case Management Services. She officially started her position on June 5th.
“Bethel House is so excited to have Sydney as a part of our team leading the charge on our case management and client services,” states Megan Hartwick, Bethel House Executive Director. “We’ve experienced a lot of staff transition over the past six months, and we’re eager to grow our services now that we are back up to full staffing capacity. Sydney is already proving to be a tremendous asset to our organization and all those families who contact us looking for support.”
Johnson has her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Marian University and is currently working towards her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She previously served in a grant writing capacity with We EmpowHer and as a Case Manager with the Salvation Army of Fond du Lac.
“The hiring committee and board of directors felt Sydney would be a great fit for Bethel House because of her authentic passion for serving and supporting others,” states Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board President. “We were impressed by her work with both The Salvation Army and We EmpowHER organizations in Fond du Lac and her visible belief in working with the whole client with kindness, clear communication, and a generosity of spirit.”
Working alongside Hartwick, Johnson will be responsible for overseeing Bethel House’s Emergency Assistance program and the Transitional Housing program, including all case management services provided to the housed families.
“I am looking forward to being the go-to person for the Bethel House housed families to help provide them the resources and support they need to get back on their feet,” states Johnson. “After speaking with some community partners, it became apparent that there are a large number of homeless and low-income families in the Whitewater community, and I am eager to help bring educational resources & support to those who can benefit from it.”
Johnson will serve in her capacity full-time and Hartwick will continue to serve in her part-time role. Bethel House will utilize summer open office hours from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday through August, with other times available by appointment only.
“The entire BOD is thankful for the Whitewater community as they’ve maintained support throughout these last few months of transition,” states Dugan. “Bethel House has been a mainstay of support in Whitewater for almost 30 years, and we could not be more excited to have Megan and Sydney securely at the helm for our future, already leading with optimism and enthusiasm.”
For more information on the programs & services Bethel House provides, or to inquire about how you can support Bethel House, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or contact 262.473.2715.
Donation or administrative inquiries can be directed to Hartwick at director.bethelhouse@gmail.com and case management inquiries can be sent to Johnson at casemanager.bethelhouse@gmail.com.
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Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in the Whitewater area. Bethel House provides transitional housing, emergency financial assistance, and case management to families in need.
Bethel House utilizes seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. Case management services include budgeting, debt repayment, job searching, resume creation & building, life skills & decision-making, accessing other community resources & services, and much more. Emergency assistance support is also provided for families needing assistance with rental payments, utility bills, transportation costs, and more.
Bethel House services are provided to clients free of charge and with understanding and compassion. Clients are always treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. For more details, visit www.bethelhouseinc.org or call 262.473.2715.
Hello Families!
The Whippet Volleyball program is excited to host summer volleyball camp for children entering grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. We invite all youth (male and female) to join us for three days filled with skill development and fun! All athletes who register by July 14th will be guaranteed a Whippet Volleyball t-shirt.
Cost of Camp:- $30 per athlete- $50 maximum per family
Dates of Camp: – Tuesday August 1st- Wednesday August 2nd- Thursday August 3rd
Times of Camp:- K-2: 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.- Grades 3-5: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.- Grades 6-8: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
You may register your athlete(s) via this link: https://forms.gle/JFkVaB4NgwFMe3tGA
The Whippet athletes and coaching staff are looking forward to working with your child(ren)!
¡Hola Familias!
El programa Whippet Volleyball se complace en organizar un campamento de verano de voleibol para niños que ingresan a los grados de jardín de infantes a octavo grado. ¡Invitamos a todos los jóvenes (hombres y mujeres) a unirse a nosotros durante tres días llenos de desarrollo de habilidades y diversión! A todos los atletas que se registren antes del 14 de julio se les garantizará una camiseta de Whippet Volleyball.
Costo del campamento:
– $30 por atleta
– $50 máximo por familia
Fechas del Campamento:
– martes 1 de agosto
– miércoles 2 de agosto
– jueves 3 de agosto
Horarios de Campamento:
– K-2: 5:00pm to 6:15pm– 3-5: 6:30pm to 8:00pm– 6-8: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Puede registrar a su(s) atleta(s) a través de este enlace: https://forms.gle/JFkVaB4NgwFMe3tGA
¡Los atletas y el cuerpo técnico de Whippet están deseando trabajar con su(s) hijo(s)!
John’s Disposal Holiday Schedule
John’s Disposal will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in observance of Independence Day.
Please note the following route changes:
- Monday’s route remains the same
- Tuesday’s route is delayed to Wednesday
- Wednesday’s route is delayed to Thursday
- Thursday’s route is delayed to Friday (Whitewater city route)
- Friday’s route is delayed to Saturday
Additional questions may be directed to John’s Disposal at (262) 473-4700.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
(262) 473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.
Attention all Whitewater 2nd-8th grade boys for the 2023-24 school year. Come try out for the Whitewater Baseball Club. No experience needed to try out. Tryouts will occur July 24th-27th. Follow the link below for more information and to sign up.
https://forms.gle/cJGyUYgDd3Cyvf3V9
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Michael Hookstead, Whitewater High School Head Baseball Coach
The Chapter Story-Chapter 8: “Guardian of Angels”
June Partoll
By Sherrie Benes
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Acknowledgement: “I would dedicate my story to my mom, my wonderful grandparents and my husband Bernie. My mom and grandparents were always there for me, and Bern helped me grow as a person. He taught me how to be strong and confident.”
Introduction: As I write this story of such an incredible lady, I hope I can translate through my writing how much love and compassion radiates from her! There are many angels around and above, who have been blessed with the joy of knowing this lady, and I am one of them … enjoy!
I think the fear of moving from a subdivision near Chicago to the countryside of Palmyra would put any 16 year old in culture shock! And this is exactly what happened to young June Deuel, when her mother Mabel (Anderson) and father Lamar Deuel thought the city was getting too dangerous to live in …
One day while vacationing on her grandparents’ property in Little Prairie, the family packed up to go swimming at the beach in Palmyra. Her parents decided to stop and buy the local newspaper to read while June and her siblings swam, and this is where her father spotted the ‘For Rent’ ad in the Palmyra Enterprise …
Six days later, in the summer of ‘58 June found herself living in Wisconsin, in a house that had no running water, no furnace and no bathroom. (It did offer a coal stove and an outhouse though!) Being the middle child, she found herself helping out with the younger siblings, but also found time to work at the local pharmacy in Palmyra while attending her sophomore year in high school. “If Dr. Handyside’s office shade was pulled down, this meant that his last patient of the night needed no prescription, so we could close the drugstore! If they needed medication, the shade would stay up!” she retold with a laugh. To get to her job, she had to walk four miles along the railroad tracks from the country into town and sometimes wouldn’t return home until after dark, using only a flashlight to guide her.
Recalling these days when first moving to Wisconsin, June describes them as some of the toughest days of her life. But those tough times also gave her the knowledge to be able to quote these questions to others who may need to hear it, “Do you know what it’s like to be hungry? Do you know what it’s like to be cold? This is what makes you stronger, makes you work harder, and gives you faith in God.”
To me it’s ironic to see how June’s life story unfolds in the years that follow, when I heard about her first job in a pharmacy. But it’s not just about the job in a pharmacy and how she then later fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. No, it’s about that farm boy who walked into the pharmacy one day after church, just to buy his parents a newspaper, that would change her life forever …
When Bernie Partoll entered the pharmacy that day, June knew little about him other than knowing his sister, who would bring in rolls of film to be developed of her new baby boy. But after he continued to come in weekly to purchase the paper, Bernie finally asked her out on a date! Laughing, she said, “here was this poor, 17-year-old shy girl, with Bernie the athlete!” Of their first date she recalled how he picked her up in his beautiful maroon Oldsmobile and took her to the Sterlingworth Supper Club for dinner. “We didn’t stay out late,” she said. “He was a farmer and had to be up to milk cows at 5:00, even though Bernie’s dad always told him that he didn’t have a curfew! He would tell him, “If you go to bed at 5 minutes to 5, you get up at 5:00!” She laughed while reciting this quote from ‘Pa’ ….
With so much fondness, she went on to describe Bernie Partoll as the perfect gentleman. “He was kind, easy to talk to, loafers always polished and he would always open my door and walk on the street side of the sidewalk.”
They continued to date and she was soon learning how to water ski on Whitewater Lake with Bernie and his friends and it wasn’t long after that she was brought ‘home’ to the farm. She loved the animals, his parents and the devotion Bernie had for his family and the farm.
Bernie escorted her to her senior prom, and she even won the Miss Southern Wisconsin National Guard that year! After graduation June moved out of her parents’ home and after attending a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course with her mom at Fairhaven in Whitewater, she took a job at the Lakeland Nursing Home as a licensed CNA. “You could get a little room at the nursing home for $30 a month if you were an employee, which included three meals a day and a laundry service!” June loved working there and she loved the residents!
“On Thursday nights we would go down to the chapel and sing! I also remember a time when the residents wanted a popcorn machine. We decided to put on the show ‘Oklahoma’ and we charged the residents $1 to go towards the purchase of it. I and another employee sang the lead and when the administration saw the show, they were so excited that they decided to open it up to the public! That made us enough money to buy the popcorn machine!”
One of the things June talked about often when referring to any patients she had throughout her career was how they were treated. “When I used to interview potential nursing staff, I cared little about their GPA! What I wanted to know was ‘how much they cared’ …”
“People deserve to keep their dignity in their aging years, I would tell them! If a lady has always dressed up, and put on her makeup and jewelry every day of her life, then while she is here you get her up and put on her makeup and jewelry!” she retold me with passion!
Which takes us back to when June was 18, working still for the Lakeland Nursing home …
“On Wednesday nights, I would pick up residents Winnie and Florence and take them out for a night on the town! They would get all dressed up with their earrings and makeup on, anticipating this night out! I would pick up two cocktails at the Evergreen Country Club, (which the bartender would have ready, when I walked in the door!) and we would drive around Elkhorn in my old Chevy, while they smoked and drank their cocktails in the back seat!”
On Christmas day in 1962, Bernie Partoll proposed to June Deuel and they were married on September 28, 1963 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Palmyra.
June and Bernie made their first residence in the upstairs of Bernie’s parents’ farm house, which Bernie and his father had converted into an apartment for them. His parents had purchased this farm in 1950 where Bernie milked 46 head of cows and this would be the place that they would forever call ‘home’ …
Within the next few years, June and Bernie started to grow their family and their parents decided to move to the farmhouse down the road that Bernie’s brother owned.
Not only had their family begun to grow, but they also found themselves growing the family farm business. They had purchased a second farm by this time and they also rented the farmland from his brother, who owned the farm down the road, to help feed their expanding head of livestock. Along with this growth, they also experienced grief with the passing of ‘Pa’ (Joseph Partoll, Bernie’s father) at the young age of 61. June recalled how Bernie’s dad, or Pa as she called him, liked her from the first time he met her because of her tall height! “He must’ve thought I was a good, strong farm girl!’ she said with a chuckle!
When the brother decided to sell his investment farm down the road, they knew they needed to purchase this farm for the land to feed their cattle. June then decided that she wanted to go back to work to help with the health insurance. Bernie knew her dream was to be a nurse, so he told her that she couldn’t go back to being a nurse’s aide because it was too hard on her back, but he was very supportive of her going back to school to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
June was content with putting her dreams on hold, raising her family and helping on the farm. But the day had come when she waved goodbye to her children Phillip, Lyn, Janet and Tina as they got on the school bus, as she herself headed off to school! This would be the beginning of many years of continued education for this lady, which also showed her kids that with hard work you can achieve anything you set your mind to!
With their busy, hectic life, they always found time to embrace family time on the farm! “From having four kids within six years, we always counted our pennies and did what we had to do. We would take the buggy, the jump seat and high chair out to the barn with us for the kids to sit in while we milked! We would have spaghetti picnics out in the field, and we would also have dress up dinners! I would set the table with all our good dishes, light some candles and we would all get dressed up for our dinner parties! I also remember, every Christmas Bernie would get a present from the kids and he would shake the box and say, ‘I know what’s in here! It’s a new manure wagon!’ as all of us would laugh! It’s memories like this that they remember.”
June continued her education, surpassing her dreams of when she began, while still balancing farm life, work, certifications, and four busy children’s schedules! She and Bernie had known early on that they would play an active role in their children’s life which included 4-H leader, PTA and the Booster Club. She also spent many years singing with the children on Saturday mornings at St. Patrick Catholic Church, along with playing in the guitar mass with several other community members in the 70’s!
“I would also have to mention the adult daycare programs that I initiated in Fort Atkinson and Lake Mills at two churches. They are to help those who care for their loved ones at home and to give some respite to those caregivers, while it gives their loved ones socialization and fun! They have been a wonderful addition to these communities for more than 20 years and their success is due to Fort HealthCare and the community volunteers!”
This list of June’s education and certifications below, was just the beginning of how she would become the ‘guardian’ to so many:
Madison College LPN: 1976
Blackhawk College Nursing ADN Wisconsin & Multi States Licensure: 1985-current
UW Whitewater Social Work B.S. Wisconsin Licensure: 1992-current
UW Parkside Gerontology (1995-1996 graduated) Certification in Gerontology: 1996
UW Madison Wisconsin Nurses Aide Trainer, Certification School of Nursing: 2001
UW Madison Nursing Home Administration Course completion 1995
State and federal exam 1995
Licensed State of Wisconsin: 1995-current
Partoll Consulting Service LLC: 2009-current
The list of June’s positions where she touched the lives of many:
Director of Nursing Lakeland Nursing Home: 1985-1986
Director/Case manager Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital: 1986-1996
DRG Coordinator Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital: 1986-1990
Administrator Sub-acute Care Center Fort Atkinson Healthcare Services: 1996-2008
Faculty Madison Campus Instructor CNA training: 2003-2013
Private Consulting Services: 2009-present
The list of related experiences, that only enhanced this woman’s ‘guardianship’:
Registered Nurse multi states licensure
Registered Nurse Certified in gerontology
Certified Social Worker licensed in Wisconsin
Nursing Home Administrator licensed in Wisconsin
Partoll Consulting LLC private Consultant
Expert Witness for Attorney General’s Office, State of Wisconsin
Expert Witness for private law firm, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When I said this woman was incredible, I hope that you can now see how her passion for education wasn’t about the success she could achieve, but rather how she could help others.
When you look around her home you can feel the love that surrounds you. Pictures of loved ones who have gone before her, trophies of the travels she and Bernie went on, family pictures of ancestors in their homeland that hang on the walls, next to the extended Partoll family throughout the generations.
Even though she had to say a tearful goodbye to ‘Bern’ on September 30, 2018, I have no doubt this lady will be sure to carry the legacy on …
“The important things in life are not things …..” she told me tearfully.
You are absolutely right, June …it’s LOVE.
My thanks go out to June Partoll for sharing her incredible story! You are amazing!
If you know of anyone who would like to share their story, or your own, please contact me at sherbenes@gmail.com.
Our thanks, also, to the sponsors of our Chapter Story:
Obituaries
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
Entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, April 3, 2026, age 65. Donna is survived by her cousins, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Lois (Michels) Lyons. Donna was raised in the Church of Nazarene, with her father being the assistant pastor. Religion was very important to Donna. Donna enjoyed working with the students of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she resided. Donna also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, and all around the United States. She also loved to paint, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet. She also loved collecting recipes and trying … Read more
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