Betty Lou Gardinier, 96 of Little Prairie, WI passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Lakeland Health Care Center in Elkhorn. Betty was born on May 5, 1924 in Illinois, daughter of the late Walter and Elizabeth (Heinrich) Stage. She married Russell Brewer Sr. on December 15, 1945, who preceded her in death on July 16, 1964. She later married Edwin Gardinier Sr. on March 6, 1976. He also preceded her in death on May 9, 2000. After graduating from Mount Morris High School, she worked as a telephone operator in Illinois. After moving to Fort Atkinson, she worked for several years at Nasco. Betty was an active member of the Fort Atkinson American Legion Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, First...

Ralph Harold Draeger, 82, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Monday, March 1, 2021, at Jefferson Memory Care. Ralph was born in Fort Atkinson on May 27, 1938, to Harold W. and Lucile (Weckler) Draeger. He graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1956 and attended the University of Wisconsin Farm Short Course receiving his certificate in 1957. He was a lifetime member of St. John's Community Church where he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Scherwitz on November 29, 1969, at which time he and Patricia moved to Watertown, Wisconsin. He grew up on the Future Hope Dairy Farm and started showing registered Holstein cattle at the age of 10 when he joined the Ideal Holstein...

Carl F. Homann, Jr. "Sonny" born August 31, 1940 in Watertown, WI to Carl F. Homann Sr. and Mabel (Strutz) Homann of Lake MIlls, WI. He passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 27, 2021. He joined the Wisconsin National Guard in June of 1959 and was called up for active duty to Fort Lewis, Washington for the Berlin Crisis as part of the Red Arrow Division. He was honorably discharged in February 1965. He married Betty Danielson on October 26, 1963 in Fort Atkinson, WI. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years and golfing most of his life. He also very much enjoyed spending time with his family. Being called "Uncle Sonny" by his many nieces and nephews always made...

Richard W. Buckingham, 71, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021. Richard was born on January 29, 1950 in Fort Atkinson, son of the late Walter and Lucille (Hartwig) Buckingham Sr. Richard is survived by his brother, Walter (Cheryll) Buckingham Jr. and sister, Sandy (Wayne) Dallman. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth and Roger Buckingham. Following his wishes, no service will be held. Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Joanne Mae (Burhans) Black, 76, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Alden Estates of Jefferson. She was born at St. Anne's in Chicago to Rollie and Irene (Peterson) Burhans Kraus on April 3, 1944. Joanne grew up on Fort Atkinson's South side. Attending the Methodist Church and Fort Schools, she graduated in 1962. You might remember her from one of her many careers. She managed the Fort Theatre and Hwy 18 Outdoor, started the bakery/deli at DeWitt's and tended bar at Satan's Cellar all while working in the family jewelry store. Joanne was a dedicated volunteer. Candy striping at FHC as a teen and after her retirement. She was a founding member of the Fort Food...

LaVerne (Verne) Edgar Sell, of Fort Atkinson, died peacefully at home on February 23,2021, two months after receiving an incurable lung cancer diagnosis. Verne was born on May 19, 1947 to Edgar and Sadie (Teght) Sell. He attended school in Whitewater until the age of 16, when he made the decision to leave school and join the workforce. He joined the United States Army at age 19, where he served honorably for three years. After his return, he went on to work as an upholsterer at Schweiger's, where he was a union member and became a lifelong supporter of workers' rights. Once he left Schweiger's, he worked at several other jobs over the course of his working life. Verne met his wife Mary in...

Orrin D. Austin, 86, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Saturday February13, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Orrin was born on January 20, 1935 in Whitewater, son of the late Glen and Mildred (Weiss) Austin. Orrin graduated from Fort Atkinson High School. He married Wava Burkhard on December 3, 1955 at First United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson. Orrin joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Fort Atkinson for 8 years and was also a volunteer at the Fort Atkinson Fire Department for 8 years. Orrin was employed as a production engineer at Crepaco for 35 years. Following retirement, he found enjoyment working part time at Sentry Foods and later Badger Press. Orrin was an active...

L. A. "Larry" Wilson, 92, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at his home. Larry was born on August 19, 1928 in Trenton, TN son of the late Grover and Mary (Henderson) Wilson. Larry enjoyed working as an engineering technician at Motorola before retiring after 27 years. Larry was also the local folk artist who crafted the totem poles on the bike trail near Lions Park and on Blackhawk Island near the mouth of the river. Larry is survived by his children, Lenore (Karl) Berglund, Alan (Cheryl) Wilson and Dale (Kathy) Wilson; grandchildren, Kimberly (James) Anderson, Nickolas Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Zachary Wilson and Molly Wilson and his sister, Monette Henry. He was...

John E. (Bud, Archie, Fish) Fischer passed away peacefully on February 8,2021. The youngest of four children, born February 27,1933 to Ray O. Fischer and Wilhelmina (Minnie)Wedl. He grew up in Jefferson, Wisconsin and spent countless hours at his dad's pharmacy in downtown Jefferson. John attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and Jefferson High School where he graduated in 1951. John then enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Valdosta, Georgia at Moody Air Force Base. He earned the rank of Corporal before leaving the armed services in 1955. He married Joan Mae Schremp at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, WI on September 11,1954. John loved to work on cars...

Betty Goodman, of Fort Atkinson, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2021 in her home surrounded by family. She was born the seventh child of eight to Alma (Kopsch) and Lawrence McManus on a summer-like day the 3rd of December in 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne University in June 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She taught first grade in Detroit Public Schools, Boulder, Colorado School System and Loveland, Colorado Schools. She married Howard Goodman on November 23, 1949 in Boulder, Colorado. Together, they had eight children. The family moved to Fort Atkinson in December of 1964. Betty was active in AAUW, its Mystery Book Group and Used...

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Lakeview Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. No visitation will be held. www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Nancy L. "Mom-Ze" Krause, 85 of Fort Atkinson, passed away January 26, 2021 at Brook Gardens in Lake Mills. Nancy was born on March 4, 1935 daughter of the late Orville and Lucille Bielefeldt. Nancy married Albert "Crop" Krause on April 24, 1954 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson. He preceded her in death on July 21, 2016. Her hobbies were spending time with her grandchildrenand great grandchildren, taking a short walk next door to visit her daughter, doing word search puzzles, and watching the game show network; along with her outings to McDonald's and Burger King with dear friend Terry Barnhart. Nancy is survived by her daughters, Jan (Jim) Woodman and Jodie (Bob) Allard...

Lois Lucille (Martin) Zerkle, 94, of Whitewater, WI, transitioned from this life on January 17, 2021. The youngest of five children born to Archie and Elsie (Roeder) Martin in Elkader, Iowa, Lois excelled in school, graduating from Elkader High School in 1944. She belonged to National Honor Society and enjoyed basketball, choir and playing saxophone in the band - earning State Division One ratings as a soloist. She attended Elkader Junior College before joining Evanston Hospital's Nurse Training Program as a Cadet Nurse. Her training was delayed by tuberculosis. During her three year quarantine she worked in the sanatorium clinic and studied at the University of Iowa. She became a...

FORT ATKINSON, WI - Lois Lucille (Martin) Zerkle, 94, of Whitewater, WI, slipped away January 17, 2021. The youngest of five children born to Archie and Elsie (Roeder) Martin in Elkader, Iowa, she graduated Elkader High School in 1944 and attended Elkader Junior College before joining Evanston Hospital's Cadet Nurse Training Program. Tuberculosis delayed her training with a three year quarantine, but she persevered working in the sanatorium clinic and studying at the University of Iowa becoming a Registered Nurse in 1951 and earning her degree from Northwestern. She was married to Robert H. Zerkle for 56 years until Bob's passing in 2013. Their son, Gregory and his wife, Cynthia Marty, are...

Lois Lucille (Martin) Zerkle, 94, of Whitewater, WI, transitioned from this life on January 17, 2021. The youngest of five children born to Archie and Elsie (Roeder) Martin in Elkader, Iowa, Lois excelled in school, graduating from Elkader High School in 1944. She belonged to National Honor Society and enjoyed basketball, choir and playing saxophone in the band - earning State Division One ratings as a soloist. She attended Elkader Junior College before joining Evanston Hospital's Nurse Training Program as a Cadet Nurse. Her training was delayed by tuberculosis. During her three year quarantine she worked in the sanatorium clinic and studied at the University of Iowa. She became a...

Richard "Brandy" W. Brandenburg Sr., 78, of Fort Atkinson, passed away on January 15, 2021. Brandy was born on January 4, 1943 in Janesville, son of the late Wilson and Ardeth (Shultis) Brandenburg. He married Marcia on October 8, 1976. She preceded him in death on July 4, 2002. Brandy had a passion for the outdoors, whether he was turkey hunting in Tomah, deer hunting, fishing, or camping. He also loved spending time with his family and dogs. Brandy drove truck for many years. He is survived by his children, Richard (Alice) Brandenburg Jr., James (Peggy) Brandburg, David Brandenburg, Pamela (David) Guy and Janneen (Robert) Au; grandchildren, Dashley, Sierra, Olivia, Sawyer, Emerson,...

David C. McNeely, 65, of Janesville, passed away Monday, January 11, 2021 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison with his wife and daughter by his side. David was born on September 1, 1955 in Elkhorn, son of the late Chester Francis and Ilene Mae (Zimmerman) McNeely. He attended school in Sharon and graduated from Big Foot High School in 1973. David married Holly Anton of Fort Atkinson on April 21, 2018. David had a passion for farming and continued to stay connected his whole life, from growing up on the farm, to later owning a farm of his own, then hauling milk for more than 35 years. He worked for A&H Trucking of Footville; Hoerler Transport of Janesville; Lowell C. Hagen Trucking of...

Samuel Joseph Deegan, of Richmond, passed on January 6, 2021 at Vintage on the Ponds in Delavan. As per Sam's wishes, a private service for family will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater prior to his cremation. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled for a later date. The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Lennart "Lenny" Hans Sponberg, 99, passed away on January 2, 2021 at Sylvan Crossings in Jefferson, WI. He was born on July 17, 1921 in Varnamo, Sweden to Malcolm and Bertha Sponberg. His family migrated to America when he was 9 years old. Lenny met the love of his life at a Valentine's Day Party in 1946. As soon as he saw Lois Johnson, he announced to his cousin Pete, "That is the girl I'm going to marry." Two years later, on Valentine's day, they were married in Evanston, IL at The Swedish Covenant Church. They were married for 65 years prior to Lois's passing. Lenny served in the Army Air Corps, worked as a carpenter and a mill wright. He was also a very talented wood worker. ...

Robert Paul Neubert, 82, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020. Robert was born on February 20, 1938 in Delavan, WI son of the late Charles and Alberta (Allison) Neubert. He married Jean Haubenschild on December 28, 1963. Robert is survived by his wife, Jean of Fort Atkinson; children, Keith (Paula) Neubert of Elizabeth, CO, Steven Neubert of Thornton, CO and Diana (Toby Nevin) Neubert of Fort Atkinson and grandchildren, Tatum, Kasey, Cal, Jaxon, Emerson and Zebulun. Private graveside services will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

A private burial was held. A Celebration of Steve's life will take place this summer when we can all gather together. Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. www.DunlapMemorialHome.com