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The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team faced East Troy Tuesday night, December 1, at home. The Whippets got off to a slow start offensively, getting outscored 11-24 in the first half. The second half proved to be an even bigger challenge getting into a 20-point deficit with 10 minutes left in the second half. The Whippets fought back, outscoring East Troy 23 -19 to get within 10, but ran out of time, losing 34-44.
Danielle DePorter led the Whippets with 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Cali Kopecky followed with 6 points. Calli Grosinske added 5 points and 5 steals. Kindyl Kilar scored 2, ripped down 11 rebounds, and had 1 steal and 5 deflections. Katie Gillette scored 4 with 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
The Whippets travel to Beloit Turner Tuesday, December 6, for their next conference game.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Peter and Bob Mischka.
WHS Players would like to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, parents, and the Whitewater community for all their support for our recent production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. We are proud of the outstanding work we accomplished and are grateful for the opportunity to share our talents with all of you.
If you would like to show your support for the WUSD Drama Program by becoming a sponsor or community partner, please contact Jim McCulloch at jmcculloch@wwusd.org for more information. The Spring Play (February 23-26, 2023) will be Agatha Christie’s, “A Murder is Announced.” We hope to see you there!
Article Submitted by Jim McCulloch
Whitewater Unified School District Theater Director
jmcculloch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Today’s image shows a large steam-powered locomotive sitting at the back of the old freight house (Whitewater’s first depot, located in the parking lot next to the current depot) in 1936. By this time, diesel engines were replacing old locomotives on the rail lines, but this image shows that the old locomotives were still in service. Rail transportation was still highly important in Whitewater and would be until after World War II in the 1950s.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(4379P, Whitewater Historical Society)
Surrounded by her family and teammates, Kindyl Kilar officially signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball for Florida International University (FIU) on November 30, 2022. Congratulations, Kindyl!
Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
From wiacsports.com
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Christian Patzka has been named the 2022 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Kwik Trip Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year, while UW-La Crosse was selected the Kwik Trip Coaching Staff of the Year, based on voting conducted by the league coaches.
Patzka is the second Warhawk to receive the conference honor, joining David Fassbender (2021). Patzka finished as the individual runner-up at the NCAA Division III Championship. His second-place performance is the highest in school history. He claimed the individual title at the NCAA Division III North Regional with his time of 24:08.4 breaking the course record. Patzka took second at the WIAC Championship and finished no lower than second place in any meet during the 2022 campaign. He won the Concordia University (Wis.) Ken Weidt Classic and UW-Whitewater Tom Hoffman Invitational.
UW-La Crosse won the WIAC Championship for the fifth consecutive season and 37th time in program archives. The Eagles placed second at the NCAA Division III North Regional and eighth at the NCAA Division III Championship. The coaching staff includes: head coach Derek Stanley; and assistant coaches Hannah Beilke and Nathan Petesch.
by Jean Caucutt
November 17, 2022
The diagnosis of any disease is difficult especially when the diagnosis is dementia. After Ted was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and as the disease progressed, Ted began to sleep less and less. Day was night. Night was day. Nothing seemed to help and sleep deprivation set in for me. I was advised by a triage nurse to have someone spend a night so I could get some much-needed sleep. I had not slept in a bed in several weeks as Ted would only take short naps in his recliner.
Our son volunteered to help out and arrived late one night after I had Ted settled and asleep. I went to bed ready for a good night’s sleep.
Ha! “A failed experiment” our son called it. Ted soon woke up and thus began a 7-hour long night of talking and enjoying having company. Ted regaled our son with many stories. I finally got up to try to support and to get Ted back in his chair for sleep. Nothing worked. So, at 5 a.m., I told our son to take Ted for a ride. When they arrived back home at 6 a.m., I had breakfast ready for Ted. He was happy and smiling. No sign of fatigue. After eating, he looked up at both us and exclaimed, “Every day is a gift, and we should be kind.”
Just a few weeks after this all-night vigil, and three days before Thanksgiving, Ted moved to Glenwood at Mulberry. He has since passed away. But the message from that night still rings true: “Every day is a gift, and we should be kind.”
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The Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park, thanks Jean for her 2nd article with insights from a caregiver. Contact Seniors in the Park for more information.
Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the UWW/Community Optimist Club.
The UW-W/Community Optimist Club is very proud to host this joyous, all community, event again. Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Esker Dining Hall on the UW-Whitewater campus. The event will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Children, young and old, are invited to attend. So grab your family, friends, and neighbors as you will NOT want to miss this holiday tradition! In years past, we served over 750 people and we hope to serve that many or more again this year!
A delicious breakfast will be served that includes French toast with syrup, sausage, donut holes, and a selection of juices, milk, and coffee. The cost is $5 for adults and free for children under 12.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and many of their elves will be there to greet the children of the community and their families, friends and neighbors. Pictures can be taken with Santa and each child will receive a small bag of treats from Santa’s elves. Frosty the Snowman will also be available for another fun photo opportunity. Family and friends are encouraged to bring their own cameras to record the fun. The popular coloring/story book corner will be available and music will be provided by various local groups with the potential for public caroling as well.
The Mitten Tree will also be available for people to donate mittens, hats, and scarves for children and adults. In addition, underwear and socks are also needed as they are used for emergencies for the area children. Donations are used by WUSD, Bethel House, the Community Space, VIP in Elkhorn and Opportunities in Fort Atkinson that both work with people with disabilities to give them meaningful work and an opportunity to procure gifts for members of their families.
Esker Hall, 420 N. Prairie St., is located at the corner of North Prairie and E. Lauderdale Drive, near the Wells Hall complex on the UW-Whitewater campus. There is ample parking available on the north side of the building near the north entrance door. For more information contact Dr. Lanora Heim, lheim@wwusd.org, 262-472-8712.
The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team traveled to Elkhorn for a non-conference game Tuesday night, November 29.
The Whippets struggled to get their offense going, scoring only 14 the first half. The majority of the first half we trailed by 8-10 points. We ended the first half of the game down 14-26.
Whitewater continued to struggle offensively, getting into an 18-point deficit halfway through the second half. Then the Whippets got fired up after a series of deflections and steals going on a scoring run closing and the gap to within 6. We ended up outscoring the Elks 33-28, in the second half of the game, just not quite enough to get the win, with the final score, 47-54.
Statistical leaders included Calli Grosinske leading the Whippets with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 steals. Kindyl Kilar had her first double-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 deflections. Mayte Navejas added 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals.
The Whippets take on East Troy at home Thursday night, December 1.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
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
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