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The Banner has been serving Whitewater, Wisconsin since August 1, 2006
Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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Mark Dorn writes “Some hearty souls!”
Thanks to Mark Dorn for sharing this chilly holiday photo.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
Updated 1/2/26 @ 9:30 p.m. with up-to-date information about Council candidates.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Anyone wishing to run for city, state or federal office must complete the necessary steps by Tuesday, January 6 at 5 p.m. For Common Council, nomination papers with at least 25 signatures must be submitted for a district seat, or 50 signatures for an at-large position. The clerk’s office at the municipal building is closed on New Year’s Eve and Day. It will be open on January 2 and January 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on January 6 until 5:00 p.m.
City of Whitewater Common Council
Three City of Whitewater Common Council seats are up for election on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. If there are more than two candidates in any race there will be a primary on February 17, 2026. Per City Clerk Heather Boehm, the following is the status of the nomination filings, which are listed in alphabetical order.
District 2 (Currently represented by Orin Smith, who has filed a noncandidacy statement)
Gavin Kelleher, 451 Warhawk Drive – campaign registration is complete.
Sean Liebherr, 771 W. Lauderdale Drive, campaign registration is complete.
District 4 (Currently represented by Brian Schanen)
One other person has indicated an interest in running but has not yet completed any papers.
Brian Schanen, 441 S. Buckingham Blvd., campaign registration is complete.
At-large (Currently represented by Greg Majkrzak, who has filed a noncandidacy statement)
Teresa Golembiewski, 1180 Bloomingfield Drive, campaign registration is complete.
Orin Smith, 329 N. Tratt St., campaign registration is complete.
Aubrey Thompson has submitted her campaign registration forms but has not yet submitted her nomination signatures.
Whitewater Unified School District
Information regarding the School Board election may be found here.
Walworth County Supervisor, District 4
District 4 represents the western portion of the city; a map may be found here.
Incumbent Al Stanek has indicated that he is not running for re-election.
Tyler Schneider has announced that he is a candidate.
The Banner has not sought an update from the county, but understands that no one else had filed as of December 31.
Walworth County Supervisor, District 3
Incumbent Brian Holt has not filed a noncandidacy statement.
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U.S. House of Representatives
The general election for this position is not until November 3. It is very likely that a primary will be held on August 11, as the following candidates have already been announced:
Bryan Steil (Incumbent) (Republican Party)
Miguel Aranda (Democratic Party)
Mitchell Berman (Democratic Party)
Randy Bryce (Democratic Party)
Enrique Casiano (Democratic Party)
Gage Stills (Democratic Party)
Connor Walleck (Republican Party)
Adam Follmer (Independent)
State offices – November election
Walworth County Sheriff – November election
Incumbent sheriff Dave Gerber has filed a noncandidacy statement.
John’s Disposal will be closed on:
New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Collection will be delayed by one day.
Residents may contact John’s Disposal directly by calling (262) 473-4700 or by emailing
office@johnsdisposal.com. You may also view their website at https://www.johnsdisposal.com.
Brad Marquardt
Director of Public Works
262-473-0139
bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.
Penny Ardelt has been part of the First Citizens State Bank family for nearly 27 years and has had the opportunity to work with many community members through her roles in New Accounts/Relationship Banking and Business Development. Please join First Citizens State Bank in wishing Penny all the best as she begins her retirement journey! An open house will be held at the bank’s main office at 207 W. Main Street in Whitewater on Friday, January 2nd from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in, have some cake, and share stories and well wishes for Penny’s next adventures.
Dawn Hunter writes, “Ice Discs or Ice Pancakes: This rarely seen formation was spotted on the spillway near the Trippe Lake Park just before Christmas. These discs need the right air and water temperatures, plus the right amount of swirling water motion to form. Mother Nature’s holiday gift to the viewer.”
Our thanks to Dawn Hunter for sharing her rarely seen experience through these photos.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
The annual Parade of Lights took place on a fairly chilly night on December 5. Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Plant Diagnostics: The Step-by-Step Approach to Identifying Plant Problems is an online course offered by the UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program. The course, which runs Feb. 1-April 30, 2026, teaches basic troubleshooting skills for plant-related problems.
Learn the step-by-step process for identifying plant problems in your yard, garden, and even indoors. This course introduces the plant diagnostic process in an easy-to-understand way. Anyone who is interested in becoming a better gardener, regardless of skill level, is invited to register. This course is open to all Wisconsin gardeners of all skill levels, as well as commercial horticulture practitioners.
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
● Explain the steps of the diagnostic process
● Identify appropriate resources to use for diagnostics
● Know how to access UW-Madison Extension diagnostic labs and services for additional support
Plant Diagnostics: The Step-by-Step Approach to Identifying Plant Problems is completely self- paced with 13 modules that contain videos, readings, and interactive activities. Participants are also invited to attend two live webinars, “Putting the Process into Practice: Real World Diagnostics”, led by UW-Madison Extension educators, and “Meet the Labs!”, with UW- Madison diagnostic lab directors.
Registration for the general public and commercial professionals is open until Jan. 29, 2026. An Early Bird registration discount is available now through Jan. 19 at a rate of $99. The regular registration rate ($119) is in place Jan. 22-29. Wisconsin Extension Master Gardeners are eligible for a special discounted rate of $49.
Find more information about this course and register at: go.wisc.edu/ExtDiagnosticsCourse
Questions? Contact the course moderator, Amy Freidig at
gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu.
Two felting workshops will take place next month in Whitewater. They are set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 and 26 at Wisconsin Makers, 200 E. Clay St. Attendees — beginners to advanced felters — may work on needle or wet felting or both. They may attend one or both sessions. The fee for each class is $20, materials included, with payment that night. Register by calling instructor Leani Schoor at (608) 421- 4078 or emailing her at
leanischoor@gmail.com.
Having earned her bachelor of science degree in art education and master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Schoor taught art at Jefferson High School for 38 years. The owner of Studio 2154 in Madison, she teaches wet and needle felting, beadwork, glass fusing, cement yard art, ceramics, copper enameling, metal work and quilting.
Located at the corner of East Clay and Wisconsin streets in Whitewater, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace or community workshop. For more information, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.
Obituaries
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
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
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