All Obituaries

Helen L. Harter, 89 of Jefferson, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Fairhaven Senior Living of Whitewater. Helen Louise Harter lived a full life of 89 years as a Nurse, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and dear friend.  She was born on October 1, 1929, in LaGrange, WI to parents Harold “Red” and May (Kuhnke) Sandberg.  Helen grew up in Whitewater with her brother Hermie and sister Marion and graduated from City High School in 1947.  Helen...

Phyllis J. Hess, 89 of Jefferson, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Watertown Regional Medical Center. Phyllis was born on April 2, 1930, the daughter of William and Hulda (Borchardt) Beilke.  She grew up in the Jefferson area, graduated from Jefferson High School, and attended Martin Luther College of New Ulm, MN and UW-Whitewater.  On May 28, 1950, she married LeRoy Hess and the couple had 2 children and later purchased a farm on Popp Road.  The couple loved the...

Norman C. Kostroski, 81 of Jefferson, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at his home. Norman was born on September 7, 1937 in Milwaukee, the son of Louis and Frances (Gavinski) Kostroski.  In the early 1950’s, Norm’s father purchased a gas station in Rome and called it Louie’s Enco and the family moved to area.  Norm was a 1955 graduate of Jefferson High School and soon after, served his country in the US Navy.  On June 25, 1960, he married Shirley...

Betty J. Smiley, 81 of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019 at London Lodge of Cambridge. Betty was born on May 24, 1938 in Kewaunee, IL, the daughter of John and Ruth Emma (McGuire) Smiley.  Betty and her family moved from Illinois in the 1940’s and she graduated from Whitewater High School in 1957.  In her youth, Betty helped her family on the farm and was employed at Opportunities Inc. of Fort Atkinson for 28 years as wood cutter.  Betty enjoyed...

Betty J. Pruefer, 101 of Jefferson, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Alden Estates of Jefferson. Betty was born on May 19, 1918 in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of Harry and Esther (Wilde) Foster.  Her parents were killed in a train accident when Betty was 8 and her sister Harriet was 3.  The 2 girls went to live with and were raised by their Aunt Gertrude Foster.  Betty was a 1935 graduate of Jefferson High School and attended 1 year at...

Delores A. Brunk-Peterson, 81 of Jefferson, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at the home of her daughter. Delores was born on December 24, 1937 in Watertown, the daughter of Emil and Freida (Hess) Neipert.  She is a 1955 graduate of Jefferson High School.  She was employed as a healthcare worker most of her working years and married Robert Peterson on January 25, 1992.  Combined, Delores and Bob had 9 children.  The couple were married only a short time, as Bob...

Ronald C. Ulsberger, 82 of Watertown, died peacefully on Monday, August 19, 2019 at Jefferson Memory Care. Ronald was born on January 3, 1937 in Watertown, WI, the son of Gerhard and Evelyn (Strauss) Ulsberger.  He was a 1955 graduate of Johnson Creek High School and served his country by joining the US Navy that same year.  He married Sheila Anton at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Helenville on April 25, 1959 and the couple had 3 sons.  Ron and Sheila divorced in 1987,...

Donna M. Semrau, 90 of Whitewater, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Fort Memorial Hospital of Fort Atkinson. Donna was born on November 1, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Phillip and Sylvia (Sellers) King.  On June 8, 1946, she married Gerhart Semrau at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coleman, WI.  The couple had 2 sons and enjoyed 33 years of marriage until his death in 1979.  She never remarried.  Donna was a devoted Milwaukee Brewers fan and followed the...

Dorothy Mae (Fowlie) Brassfield, age 98, passed away August 14, 2019 at Wellington Meadows Assisted Living in Fort Atkinson, WI. Dorothy was born in rural Rockwell City, IA on April 30, 1921, the daughter of Frank and Clara (Ross) Fowlie. She married Elvis J. Brassfield on September 18, 1943 in San Antonio, TX. He preceded her in death on March 30, 2006.  She graduated from Lake City High School, Lake City, IA; attended Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA then taught one-room rural...

Helen R. Seifert, 93 of Jefferson, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Helen Ruth Serns was born on January 17, 1926 in Watertown, WI, the daughter of Ernest and Ella (Peters) Serns.  On September 14, 1946, Helen married Earl C. Seifert and the couple had 2 sons and enjoyed 63 years of marriage until his death in 1999.  Helen belonged to St. John’s. Ev. Lutheran Church all her life and was baptized and confirmed there.  She belonged to the...