Marian University mourns loss of longtime employee, and more Fond du Lac news in weekly dose
FOND DU LAC — Staff and faculty at Marian University are grieving the sudden loss of Janet Wermes, a longtime administrative assistant, who died as the result of a motor vehicle crash near Fond du Lac Sept. 29 on her way to work.
Wermes held several positions at Marian, but most recently worked for the Interim vice president of academic affairs, Dr. R. Brian Olson. Wermes was an anchor at the university, who recently celebrated her 20-year anniversary with Marian.
Dr. Joshua Clary, vice president of student life and dean of students, organized the memorial. Wermes’ daughter, Nora, and son-in-law, Adam, also attended.
Dr. Michelle Majewski, president at Marian University, spoke about Wermes’ kindness, compassion and witty sense of humor.
“Janet was an amazing colleague, an amazing friend and an amazing member of the Marian family,” Majewski said.
Funeral arrangements by Wermes’ family are pending.
Fond du Lac development: Home Depot finally has hope for new tenants. Here's where 5 other Fond du Lac properties stand.
Welcome to your weekly dose. Here is more news from throughout Fond du Lac County.
New book offers extensive information about Wisconsin's Indian Mounds
Bill Volkert and Kurt Sampson have published a book titled “Indian Mounds of the Horicon Marsh and Upper Rock River.” It documents all the known Indian mounds in Dodge County.
Nearly 500 pages, the book relied on published articles, previously unpublished historic journals and other materials.
All told, the book documents 135 mound sites consisting of 1,094 mounds that once existed in Dodge County. While many mounds remain, the majority have been destroyed over time because of a variety of land uses. Of those that still exist, nearly all are on private land and are not accessible. All Indian mounds are protected by Wisconsin’s Burial Sites Protection Act, Wisc. Stat. 157.70.
This book contains all the known survey maps of the Indian mounds in the area as well as historic survey notes and other information. The introduction also provides an overview of Native American cosmology and ideology, as well as local legends about the mounds.
The book is available for purchase at the Dodge County Historical Society in Beaver Dam. The office is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. To request a copy by mail, contact naturalist@billvolkert.com or kurtsampson1968@gmail.com, through PayPal at kurtsampson1968@gmail.com or call 414-405-4367. Books are $40 each, plus tax, and an additional $8 if shipped by mail.
Local church members honor those in service industry with a meal
Members of the Fond du Lac Seventh-day Adventist Church wanted to recognize people in the community who work in service occupations, so on Sept. 10, together they cooked a lasagna meal with all the fixings, including dessert. Dinners were then taken to each of the three fire stations in Fond du lac.
A prayer of safety for each member and the entire Fond du Lac Fire Department was given at each station upon delivery.
This was not the first meal made for the community. On Jan. 8, members of the Fond du Lac police department were invited to the church to enjoy a spaghetti dinner.
Klepps joins Fond du Lac clinic pulmonology department
Rachel Klepps, a pulmonology nurse practitioner, has joined the SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic at its 420 E. Division Street location. She is accepting new patients.
Klepps specializes in assessing, diagnosing, treating and evaluating individuals experiencing respiratory illness/disease, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory failure and COVID-19. She can also assist patients in smoking cessation.
Klepps earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and her master’s degree from Marian University. She is a member of the American Thoracic Society.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 920-926-8485.
Author J.A. Jance joins Fond du Lac Library for virtual visit Oct. 11
Author J.A. Jance will make an exclusive virtual visit to the Fond du Lac Public Library at 6 p.m. Oct. 11. During her visit, she will talk about her newly released book “Blessing of the Lost Girls,” her writing process, a personal memoir and her journey as an author.
She is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 60 works of contemporary mystery across the J.P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, and the Ali Reynolds series, as well as six interrelated thrillers about the Walker Family and one volume of poetry.
Those who attend are welcome to stay to discuss their favorite J.A. Jance books and characters. The visit can also be viewed from home via Zoom. Register at calendar.fdlpl.org.
Jance also will respond to questions submitted ahead of the event. To submit a question, visit fdlpl.org. Copies of “Blessing of the Lost Girls” will be available at the Fond du Lac Public Library. Place a hold on the website.
Award-winning poet to give reading at Ripon College
Award-winning poet Jessica Q. Stark will read from her work Oct. 11 at Ripon College, as part of the Visiting Writers Series and the Schang Family Visiting Writer Fund.
The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in room 147 of C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts. It is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and author signing.
Stark is an assistant professor in creative writing (poetry) in the English Department at the University of North Florida. Her first poetry chapbook, “The Liminal Parade,” was selected by Dorothea Lasky for the Double Take Grand Prize in 2016. Several of her poetry collections have been nominated or won accolades.
In addition, Stark is a poetry editor for the literary magazine AGNI, her poetry appears in numerous literary publications, and she has published scholarly articles on poetry, visual media and material culture.
She has lived in several cities around the world, including Seoul, South Korea, Madrid, Spain, and for a short time in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where she ran a backpackers’ hostel with her partner.
Learn about Wisconsin bats during Audubon program
The Fond du Lac Audubon Society will host the program, "Bats of Wisconsin – Back from the Brink," at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Moraine Park Technical College, room E120. Jennifer Redell, conservation biologist and cave and mine specialist with the Wisconsin DNR’s Bat Program, will give the presentation.
These mysterious animals make up 20% of the world’s mammal diversity. Hear how some Wisconsin bats are bouncing back after dramatic declines as a result of white-nose syndrome. Learn what actions you can take to be a good neighbor to bats.
Fond du Lac library offers 'Let's Make' programs in October
Fond du Lac Public Library’s Idea Studio has some “Let’s Make” events coming up in October at its 32 Sheboygan St. location.
The Easy Sew Tote Bag class will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 11. Participants must be 13 or older to join.
Silhouette HTV Trick or Treat Bags will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 18. Learn how to use the Silhouette Cameo 4 to customize a bag for trick-or-treating using heat transfer vinyl. Participants must be 13 or older.
Registration is required for each session at calendar.fdlpl.org.
The Idea Studio is open for walk-in visits 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
This month's History at Home highlights contributions of Dr. Treffert
Learn about how services now offered by the SSM Health Treffert Center started with Dr. Darold Treffert during History at Home at the Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St. The program will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 in the McLane Room.
Started in 2016, the Treffert Center has grown to include the Treffert Academy, Treffert Autism Services, the Treffert Clinic, the Treffert Library, the Treffert Way for the Exceptional Mind and Exploration High School (located within the School District of North Fond du Lac) and most recently the SSM Health Treffert Studios.
Dr. Treffert, an internationally renowned researcher who dedicated his life to the study and treatment of savant syndrome, hyperlexia and autism, lived in Fond du Lac for 87 years.
Dr. Treffert worked with screenwriter Barry Morrow on accurately representing the talents of savants for the movie “Rain Man,” which made “savant” a household word and was the beginning of heightened autism awareness. Treffert has been recognized for his work in this field and has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions.
The program is free and registration is not necessary. Those who are unable to attend in person may watch live via Facebook at facebook.com/FDLPL.
Baby Boomers Social is Oct. 13 at Eagle's Club
The Fond du Lac Baby Boomers Social Group will meet at 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Eagle’s Club, 515 N. Park Ave. For more information, call Sue at 920-266-7549.
Red Cross seeks blood donors; hosts several local drives
The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O and those giving platelets.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Upcoming blood drives include:
Oct. 11: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moraine Park Technical College, 235 N. National Ave., Fond du Lac;
Oct. 13: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eden Fire Department, 104 Pine St.;
Oct. 16: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St.;
Oct. 17: 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Cloud Athletic Club, 911 Main St., Saint Cloud;
Oct. 19: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Fond du Lac High School, 801 Campus Drive; and
Oct. 24: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 430 Griswold St., Ripon.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-733-2767 or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Crafts, Nerf and games part of Ripon library October programs
The Ripon Public Library will host several craft and teen programs in October.
All ages are invited to drop in during open hours on Oct. 13 for fall crafts. Make a paper pumpkin craft and Halloween themed scratch masks.
Youth ages 11 to 17 can join the Nerf Challenge from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 15. Blasters and darts will be provided. Waivers signed by parents are required.
Enjoy Game Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18. Anyone age 16 and older is invited to enjoy tabletop board games. Staff will be available to assist play, no experience necessary.
This month, the Crafter Club will make recycled CD art. Ages 10 and older can stop by from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 to create mobiles or suncatchers. Youth must have adult supervision.
For more information, visit riponlibrary.org or call 920-748-6160.
Mental health in the workplace: Mental health days, relaxation rooms: How some Fond du Lac employers are finding creative ways to boost employee wellbeing
Oktoberfest celebrates German food, drink and music
St. Catherine of Siena, 218 E. Blossom St., Ripon, will host an Oktoberfest event 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15.
A pork chop dinner will be served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu includes pork chop, cheesy Ranch potatoes, squash, red cabbage, applesauce, dessert and beverage.
Meals are $14 or $12 if purchased before Oct. 12. Purchase advance tickets from the parish office. Hot dog meals also available. Carry-outs available 11 a.m. to noon.
The Tom Kneiss Orchestra will play at 11:30 a.m. There also will be a craft sale, raffle, silent auction, basket raffle and bake sale.
Get your dose — stay connected
Get your dose of local community news here each week. For updates throughout the week, visit fdlreporter.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
News tips
Send tips to news@fdlreporter.com.
See our contact page.
Our impact
The Fond du Lac Reporter — part of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin — strives to make a difference in our community. Read our 2022 Community Impact Report online.
Award-winning content
The Fond du Lac Reporter won four total awards in the 2022 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest.
Read more about the awards and follow links to the award-winning content by clicking here.
Thanks for reading!
We appreciate your readership! Support our work by subscribing. Find details online or call 1-877-424-5048 and give offer code W-C4 to subscribe.
Contact Mara Wegner at mwegner@gannett.com or 920-996-7241.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Marian University mourns death of Janet Wermes, more Fond du Lac news
