Waunakee's Early Files

100 Years Ago

May 22, 1924

A Ku Klux Klan demonstration was staged in Waunakee Friday night. A cross was burned in Baker’s pasture and someone seeing the fire put in a fire alarm and a large crowd assembled in a short time.

Miss Gertrude Bischel and Isadore Diderich were united in marriage at Holy Redeemer Church Madison on Monday, May 19.

The Waunakee baseball team won a 10-inning thriller from Oregon here Sunday by a score of 2-2.

Wanda Taylor is valedictorian and Bernice Clark is salutatorian of the Class of 1924.

Dr. S.W. Wilson, veterinary surgeon, has opened an office in the adjoining Ray Hohlstein Barber Shop.

C. Meinholz has purchased the John Esser Farm in Ashton for $3,300.

95 Years Ago

May 23, 1929

Miss Delphine Roessler and Mel Schwoegler were united in marriage at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Thursday, May 16.

All the streets in Waunakee are receiving a fresh coat of oil to lay the dust.

William Williamson broke a plate glass window at McWatty Auto Co. when he avoided hitting Vic Kohlman’s car on Main Street.

The following will graduate at the Waunakee grade School on May 28: Marion Shaw, Marjorie Haak, Kenneth Cooper and Albert Burris.

75 Years Ago

May 19, 1949

Miss Mary Rip, 89, life-long resident of Cross Plains, passed away at the home of her niece, Mrs. Leo Schoepp, on Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Knutson announce the birth of a son at Madison General Hospital on May 11.

Rachel Bacon is valedictorian and Mary Lou Schmitz, salutatorian, of the Class oif 1949 at Waunakee High School.

The Civic Club baseball team defeated DeForest Sunday by a score of 8-2 for their second win of the season.

We received a fine rain last Thursday and it was in the nick of time as it was so dry, so much that corn would not sprout

70 Years Ago

May 20, 1954

Msgr. George Haeusler, 77, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church in Sun Prairie, died Saturday afternoon after a long illness.

The high school baseball team dropped a thriller to Madison Central in the WIAA District Tournament at Sauk City Tuesday night by a score of 6-5.

Miss Lucille Ziegler and Harvey J. Taylor were united in marriage May 11 in the first wedding ceremony officiated in the rebuilt St. Mary of the Lake Church following the fire.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Miller announce the birth of a son born at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bernards are receiving congratulations on the arrival of a son on Friday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Hospital.

60 Years Ago

May 14, 1964

Mrs. Math Wipperfurth, well-known resident of Dane, died Sunday afternoon at her home following a long illness.

Final plans are being completed for a Mr. Chipper Drive-In to be built on the Dave O’Malley Property at the junction of Hwy. 113 and 19.

Two teachers have been hired to teach at Waunakee High School. They are Daniel Gardner, mathematics, and Miss Geraldine Neuton, to head the business department.

The Waunakee High School Marching Band received a first in Class C at the District Legion Conference held Sunday, May 3, at Muscoda.

50 Years Ago

May 23, 1974

Monsignor Edward B. Auchter, pastor of St. Mary of the Lake will celebrate his 40th anniversary in the priesthood on Sunday, May 26.

At Monday night’s Waunakee Village Board meeting, Jim Hellenbrand, owner of Hellenbrand Water Conditioner Company, outlined tentative plans for a new building to house his growing business.

One hundred and five Waunakee High School seniors are expected to receive diplomas in graduation exercises Friday, May 24, in the high school gym,

Linda Zander was the recipient of the Trotta Award for 1973-74.

40 Years Ago

May 10, 1984

Another business is planning to construct a new building in Waunakee. Dave Loeffelholz, owner of Styles by Dave beauty salon, plans to start building on the 100 block of S. Madison Street.

Burglars struck St. John’s School during an early morning break-in on May 4. Waunakee Police Chief Frank Balistreri estimates $10,000 damage to the interior of the school.

Negotiations for the Waunakee Teachers Association and the school board moved into their fifth round of 1984-85 contract talks Monday evening, with the board proposing a 7% raise in each teacher’s salary, plus longevity for next year.

Miss Lori Karls, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Karls, Waunakee, became the bride of Keith Ripp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ripp, Lodi, on April 7.

30 Years Ago

April 28, 1994

A ceremony was held in honor of a conservation plan for a 40-acre parcel donated by Hazel Knudson. The preserve on Hwy. 113 is dedicated to her parents, Franklin and August Wilke, and her brother, Clarence Wilke.

The Rev. Tim Rehwaldt was installed at as pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church on April 17.

Prestige Building, a family-owned company, opened its doors at 404 Pinehurst Dr.

Waunakee Optimist Oratorical winners were Jenny Doty, third place; Angela Laubmeier, first place; and Kristie Wagner, second place.

20 Years ago

April 29, 2004

A number of community members were honored for their dedication to the Waunakee area community during the Community Awards Banquet. They were Jan Barman, Carrie Meier, Rich Murphy, Joanne Tierney, Dan Barman, Lorraine Endres, Nolan Anderson, Tricia Kennedy, Joe Peterson, Pat Rice and Susan Anderson.

Ellie Luetmer and Justin Davidson were named queen and king at the Waunakee High School junior prom.

The Waunakee golf team began its conference season with a 166-168 loss at the Portage Country Club.

10 Years Ago

May 1, 2014

After several years of planning, Department of Transportation crews will begin the summer-long, $4 million Main Street construction project May 5.

The need for clay at the Dane County landfill has created a new opportunity to discover the remains of a 19th Century poet’s Westport home. ON May 10, an archaeologist will lead the public in a dig at the 1953 Ella Wheeler home site between Hwy. I and River Road. Timing of the county project coincided well with the town’s Historic Preservation Committee project.

Dane County policymakers are urging public support for a proposed ordinance amendment that would require a formalized process for mining at grandfathered sites.

Nearly 200 Waunakee area residents raised a toast to the recipients of Waunakee community awards during the banquet Sunday. Those honored include Mark Bennett, Betsy Zadra, Helene Pertzborn, Caitlin McGuire, Dolores Bernards, Mary Ann Fleiner, Rex Endres, John Cullen, Bob Ziegler, Ray Kuehl, Troy Salisbury, Dr. Bill Ranum and Dr. Trent Thompson.