Early City Motto "The Banner Inland City of the Midwest"
The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Irvin L. Young Library.
Garage Sale
365 W. Ann St., Whitewater
Four Family Sale
Fri. & Sat., Oct 8 -9 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
New to barely used items: household, kids clothes, gun cabinet, outdoors tools, seed spreader, something for everybody
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Versiti.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by CCS.
CCS (The Community of Christ the Servant) Celebrated 50th Anniversary October 3, 2021
At a farm picnic one sunny Sunday in June, 1971, a group of 35 dedicated people agreed to commit their time and funds to the formation of a new congregation. In the late 1960’s, and early 1970’s, the Civil Rights movement and Vietnam War created tension and conflicts that divided people in Whitewater churches, as it did elsewhere. Similar views and the willingness to act drew these Christians together to form the Community Church.
On Sunday, October 3, 1971, the Community Church, Whitewater’s new inter-denominational Christian fellowship, met for their first worship service in the American Baptist Church, West Main Street, Whitewater. No set Christian doctrine was required to join the Community Church. Members of the Community Church had previously been members of the UCC (Congregational), Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, and Baptist denominations.
One of CCS’s purposes (was and) is to “bring the eternal truths of scripture to bear upon daily living” (CCS Constitution). That is: “We believe in living in peace and harmony with our environment, with our fellow creatures, and with each other. We believe in universal human rights and individual rights and choices.”
Through the past 50 years seven pastors have served this group of committed Christians:
1. Darry Henneman, called in October, 1971, as the first pastor of this new Whitewater Community Church.
2. Paul Kruger, July 23, 1972 – Summer 1974
At Paul’s urging the church name was changed to COMMUNITY OF CHRIST THE SERVANT (CCS) to better reflect the character of this new Christian fellowship.
3. Olaf Lidums, Summer, 1974 – Summer, 1977.
4. Paul Kruger, September, 1977 – April, 1987
5. Nancy Breitsprecher served as co-pastor, starting October, 1980
, 6. Michael Obinger, November, 1987 to present
7. Duane Goetsch, part-time pastor 1994 to present
For several years, CCS continued to grow as members learned the deeper meaning of the word COMMUNITY–struggling to give expression to what it means to be the Church. Although members are not pressured to give financially, they are encouraged to give in a spirit of thanksgiving a significant portion of their time, talents, and resources. By being independent of a church hierarchy, by meeting in inexpensive facilities, and by keeping church needs simple, CCS faithfully fulfills its commitment to giving 25 percent of offerings to helping humanitarian causes as well as needy individuals in our community, our state, our nation, and our world. Supporting one another is especially important.
Convinced that the Church is not a building, CCS owns no building, but chooses to gather for worship where it can. Through the years worship sites have included the American Baptist Church on West Main Street, the Episcopal Guild Hall, the Community Center in Starin Park, as well as Coopers’ Barn, and Pastor Mike’s barn, at RagApple.
Although only seven of the 63 original charter members are currently active in CCS, the purpose and spirit of this Whitewater church community remain relevant and engaged: Worshiping each Sunday morning, gathering during Lent for soup suppers and discussion, and providing hope to those in need–in body and spirit, wherever they may be.
Editor’s note: The following information has been provided by the Dwight Foster Public Library.
October Happenings at the Dwight Foster Public Library
Monthly Book Sales
The Friends have schedule book sales on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. The first hour is for Friends members only. Memberships are always sold at the sale. This month the sale will be on Saturday, October 9.
We Have Milkweed Seeds
The Library has Common Milkweed seeds for you. Fall is a great time to plant milkweed because the seeds like to lay in the soil over winter. Milkweed is the primary food source for Monarch butterflies and a host of other insects. Seeds will be available beginning Monday, Oct. 4 until they are gone. One package per family/individual. Pick them up at the Second Floor Service Desk.
Jack-O-Lantern Contest!
Time for some October spooky fun. We are hosting a Jack-O-Lantern contest for kids, teens and adults. Bring your design to the library any time on Monday, Oct. 25. Judging will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 26 and winners in each division will be notified on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Everyone will need to pick up their pumpkin by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28. We are scaring up some fun prizes so don’t miss out!
The image on the homepage, “Monarch on a milkweed” by Shiva Shenoy is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
In recognition of the outstanding support that the community of Whitewater provides to the school, each year the WHS Student Council selects two community members to serve as Grandma and Grandpa Whippet. Grandma and Grandpa Whippet exhibit the kind of support for academics, athletics, and arts that Whitewater High School is known for. This year’s Grandma and Grandpa Whippet are Tanya Brown and Ron Sdano.
Tanya has been a lifelong Whippet, graduating from WHS in 1989. She currently works as a social worker and as a side gig, you can find her DJ’ing weddings. Tanya also has four children (Dan, Katie, Emily, and Lucas) who have either graduated or will graduate from WHS. She is seen supporting students at many Whitewater High School events throughout the year. Tanya is appreciated throughout the Whitewater community and exemplifies the #TheWhippetWay.
Ron Sdano is also a lifelong Whippet. He graduated from WHS in 1977 and was a Whitewater Unified School District employee for 35 years, spending all of his years at Whitewater Middle School as a Physical Education Teacher. Ron has over 30 years of coaching experience in football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Ron’s children, Geoff and Justin, are also WHS grads. Ron is a huge supporter of the Academics, Arts, and Athletics of the Whitewater community. He is Triple-A Proud.
Congratulations, Tanya and Ron!
Article Submitted by Amy Houwers
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
ahouwers@wwusd.org
Finishing their regular season on Saturday, the Whippet XC programs took to a new Invitational at Stoughton HS after another invite was canceled the day before. This meet was loaded with huge schools and just one other school the size of Whitewater. It afforded the kids an opportunity to learn how to scout a new course and put out an effort that they will be able to apply in the championship portion of their season in the coming weeks.
Caelyn Caputo put together another solid race and came through as the team’s top runner on the girls’ side. Despite the heavy race load lately, her times have all been similar on varying terrain, and she looks very confident in her pursuit of the finish line. Sophie Walton, Emma Weigel, and Gwen Truesdale aren’t far behind trading different positions on the team in recent weeks, feeding off each other as one may be feeling stronger in a race than someone else. The Varsity team was incomplete and didn’t have a team place. The JV girls were led by Sami Van Daele who ran her third best time of the year in 27:57. She paced the team to a 10th place finish out of 11 teams.
Jack Hefty ran 17:56 for a leading Whippet effort, followed by veteran Cooper Hammond who ran 18:52. The boys’ varsity team placed 12th out of 15 complete teams. In the JV race, Sterling Truesdale led the team by running his third best time of 25:03. Xavier Zei ran a lifetime best in 26:31, and debuting in a Whippet uniform for the first time was senior Colin Dugan. Colin has been with us since day one and was set to race at the Seibold Alumni meet in August, but the night before the meet he was in tremendous pain which meant a rushed trip to the hospital which called for immediate surgery. This ended up putting him on the shelf for several weeks while he got things put together and healed up nicely. After a few weeks of getting back into the swing of things and the go-ahead from his doctor, Colin cruised his way around the property of Stoughton High School to joyfully cross the line in 26:51! With a little more confidence now on his side and more training coming up, he is eager to run at the conference meet on October 14th. The JV squad finished in 12th out of 12 teams scoring.
Full Results: https://my.raceresult.com/182738/
The team will now retool and sharpen their physical abilities and mental edges over the next week and a half as they prepare to host the Rock Valley Conference Meet on Thursday, October 14th, on the campus of UW-Whitewater. The first race is set to begin at 4:10. Be there!
Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.
With the onset of Fall and the month of October the Whitewater Community Food Pantry will begin signing patrons up for the Thanksgiving meal beginning October 6th and ending October 28th.
The pantry wishes to acknowledge the loyal supporters of the food pantry with their generous donations.
Festival Foods donated an enormous amount of apple juice which has pleased our patrons very much as this is something they rarely receive from the food pantry. They have also provided laundry detergent, another rare commodity seldom donated and many other donations through their Food Share Program. Our volunteer gentlemen donate their time to pick up this donation.
Every Monday a faithful volunteer picks up the food donation from Walmart. We receive a variety of food products: meat, produce, bread and bakery and other canned goods. Walmart also donates plastic bags which we desperately need.
Another wonderful donation every Monday comes from the Bimbo Bakery in Janesville, a gentleman who works there bring this to the pantry.
Tuesday morning a Whitewater gentleman brings the food pantry a very large donation of bread from the Kenosha Panera Bread Store; yes, he gets up early and drives an hour away and back in all kinds of weather to bring the bread for our patrons.
Weekly the food pantry receives an order from Feeding America of over 1200 lbs. of food at a very low cost often at no cost to the pantry.
The Whitewater Farmers and Gardeners come in weekly providing fresh produce for our patrons. They have given the food pantry an assortment of corn, green beans, peppers, squash, potatoes, apples, cucumber, zucchini, an assortment of tomatoes and so much more to choose from. One of our patrons brought in rhubarb to share with his fellow patrons.
Many friends of the Whitewater Community Food Pantry regularly give monetary donations and often in memoriam of family and friends.
The W. C. F. P. also has a loyal lady supporter who knits hats and scarves for children and adults and donates dolls and books too.
Needless to say we are very grateful and appreciate everyone for their generous support to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.
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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