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Today is Wednesday, June 17, 2026
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“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Tuesday, December 16, 1 pm
(Holiday/Comedy/Family)
Rated PG; 1 hour, 39 minutes (2024).
From the creator of the TV series “The Chosen.”
Nobody is ready for the mayhem and surprises that ensue when six of the worst youngsters disrupt a small town’s yearly Christmas performance.
Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted on December 12 on the Whitewater Fire & EMS Facebook page.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Daria Deibele.
Daria began her career with the Whitewater Fire Department in March of 2025, following her dreams and expanding her deep love for EMS into her role as a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic. From the moment she joined our family, her positive attitude, bubbly personality, and unwavering passion for the job defined the amazing person she was—both in and out of uniform.
Daria brought light into every room and strength into every call. Her dedication to serving others, her kindness, and her heartfelt compassion touched countless lives. Her generosity was evident in all she did—from donating 730 items to the City’s Food Drive to baking homemade treats for the crews, gestures that meant so much and reflected her deep care for those around her. The impact she made on our department, and on each of us who had the honor of working beside her, is immeasurable.
This is a tremendous loss for our department and our community. The void left by her passing will be difficult to overcome, but her spirit, her laughter, and her legacy of service will remain with us always.
Out of respect for the family’s wishes, this announcement was delayed until arrangements were made. We ask that you hold Daria’s family, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.
Rest easy, Daria. We’ll take it from here.
Visitation/Funeral Information:
Saturday, January 10th
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church
401 S. Owen Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Visitation 9am – 11am
Mass 11am
In lieu of memorials, a Memorial Fund has been established by the City of Whitewater and the Whitewater Fire Department in honor of Daria Deibele.
Memorial contributions may be sent to:
City of Whitewater / Whitewater Fire Department
312 W. Whitewater Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Please note “Daria Deibele Memorial” in the memo line
Updated on 12/12/25 @ 1 p.m. to correct the Cold Weather Advisory information for Friday night.
The City of Whitewater is dissected by the Jefferson and Walworth County lines, which results in a mixed message for tonight’s Cold Weather Advisory. Technically the Jefferson County portion of the city will be under the Advisory, but the Walworth County portion won’t be under that Advisory until Saturday night! In any case, it will be very cold.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Cold Weather Advisory that includes Walworth County from 7 p.m. on Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday. Jefferson County, though, has a Cold Weather Advisory beginning Friday from midnight Friday until 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Highs on Saturday and Sunday are anticipated to be in the single digits. Wind chills for the Whitewater area are projected to be about -17 degrees F on Friday night and -25 degrees F on Saturday night.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. At this time, you are probably starting to receive Christmas cards, and today, many of these are popular family photo cards. Here is a family photo that is similar to those you are receiving today. It is the Waldi family, taken around 1915. J. A. H. Waldi was the manager of the McAlister Dry Goods store in downtown Whitewater (where Main Street Shops is now located). His wife, Beatrice is probably the seated woman and one of the other women is probably daughter Margaret, who, according to the 1912 Whitewater City Directory, is living with the couple on Fremont Street.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(1951STU, Whitewater Historical Society)
Ferradermis hosted 24 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics teams, including the Whitewater Middle School Iron Dragons, for a competition at Whitewater High School on Sunday, December 7. Approximately 250 middle and high school students competed throughout the day, meeting with judges and putting their robots to the test on the field.
Team 8680 Kraken-Pinion from Homestead High School placed 1st overall, winning both the Inspire Award and the overall robot competition. The WMS Iron Dragons, coached by Kerry Ramsden, ranked 14th in robot qualification matches and 18th overall when award points were included.
This year’s FTC game shares the same archeology-based theme as FIRST Lego League and the high school FIRST Robotics Competition. In the FTC game, robots need to collect artifacts (green and purple wiffle balls) and load them into the classifier in a particular pattern in order to achieve maximum points. The pattern required is randomized at the beginning of each match, and robots can use vision to decode the motif and determine the pattern required. FTC robots must fit in an 18” cube and play on a 12’ square field. During the first 30 seconds of each match, the robots are programmed to operate autonomously, and for the remaining 2 minutes, the robots are under the control of a student drive team.
FTC teams play in 2 or 3 qualifying competitions each season, and the WMS Iron Dragons will compete again on February 8 at the Skirmish of Brookfield.
All FIRST Robotics events are run by volunteers, and it takes about 90 volunteers to host events such as the Whitewater FLL Challenge Regional and Whitewater FTC Qualifier held at Whitewater High School this fall. There are both technical and non-technical volunteer roles available. If you are interested in volunteering at a future robotics event or working with the district teams as a volunteer, please reach out to Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Update 12/11/25 @ 3:00 p.m. Due to the projected weather forecast of 4 degrees and the minus 25 degree windchill we have postponed this event until Saturday, December 20th at 11:00 a.m.
National Wreaths Across America Day at Heart Prairie Cemetery
The national nonprofit organization, Wreaths Across America (WAA), has announced
that Heart Prairie Cemetery, located in the Town of LaGrange, Walworth County, will join
the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach by serving as an official location for the
2025 National Wreaths Across America Day. This marks the first time both Heart Prairie
Cemetery and Walworth County will participate in this significant nationwide program.
Wreaths Across America began as a simple gesture of gratitude and has grown into
a nationwide movement. Dedicated volunteers and communities across the country
have come together to remember our nation’s fallen heroes, honor their service, and
teach the next generation the importance of freedom. In 2025, more than 4,900
locations will participate by placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day,
which will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
The event at Heart Prairie Cemetery is being organized by Peggy Schutt of
Delavan’s Samuel Phoenix Chapter, National Daughters of the American Revolution,
along with Cemetery Sexton James Holden. Thanks to the chapter’s sponsorship, funds
have been raised from individuals, families, and service organizations. These efforts will
allow for the placement of 42 wreaths on the headstones of fallen service members
resting at Heart Prairie Cemetery on County Highway O in the Town of LaGrange.
Local dignitaries scheduled to attend the event include Senator Steven Nass,
Representative Brienne Brown, and John Scholtz, Walworth County Veterans Service
Officer. The Whitewater American Legion Post 173 will also be present to assist with the
ceremony and honor the occasion with a gun salute.
The public is warmly invited to attend this historic event and participate in honoring
the service and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen heroes.
Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Pat Blackmer.
Whitewater High School Music Masters Ensemble performed at Fairhaven on November 12. The concert included three songs by the entire group and six students performing solo numbers. Photo gallery courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Obituaries
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
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
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