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October 2021

Sun
31
Oct
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Evan T. Kratochwill

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/31/2021 - 14:28

MIDDLETON–Evan Thomas Kratochwill, 18, of Middleton, passed away from a double vehicle crash in the Town of Middleton on Saturday evening, Oct. 2, 2021.  

Evan’s last day with us on earth included spending time that day with his parents, Jennifer and Jason Thomas Kratochwill, at his cross-country meet.  

He loved time up at the cabin, and especially enjoyed the winter and was a skilled cross-country skier and snowboarder. 

Evan, who was a senior at Middleton High School, will be forever loved by his parents, Jennifer and Jason Kratochwill; his sister, Peyton Kratochwill; grandparents Richard and Sharle Graul, Tom and LuAnn Kratochwill, and Danita Doyle and Rob Benada; his aunts and uncles, Julie and Joe Warstler, Joseph Doyle and Joanne Broe, Chris Graul, and Mark and Patty Graul; and his cousins Taylor, Taryn, Hensley, Kacie, Hailey, Zackery, Abby, Quentin and Preston.  

Sun
31
Oct
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Simon De Dôdi Bilessi

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/31/2021 - 14:27

MADISON–Simon De Dôdi Bilessi, 17, of Madison passed away tragically in the Town of Middleton, when he and two of his best friends, Evan Kratochwill and Jack Miller, were killed upon impact in a fiery car accident after being struck by another vehicle late Saturday night, on Oct. 2, 2021. They were pronounced dead on Oct. 3.

Though words cannot describe the pain we feel for the loss of these three young lives, we are grateful that Simon was not alone when he died. He was with people he loved and that loved him. Born on January 30, 2004, in Paris, France, Simon was the firstborn son of Aimé Franklin Bilessi and Alice Biyenga. He was the strength and hope for everything to his parents. At the age of 10, Simon left his family in France to live with his aunt and uncle and their three children in Raleigh, NC. 

Sun
31
Oct
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Patricia Acker Dean

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/31/2021 - 14:26

MIDDLETON–Patricia Acker Dean died Oct. 6, 2021, at her home in Middleton. Patty was born in Madison on April 4, 1960, to Vincent F. and Theresa M. Acker. She and her future husband, Michael J. Dean, met in the hallway of Middleton High School in the fall of 1975. With a surname that filled two homerooms, Patty became interested in the boy from Madison’s east side who was unlikely to be a relation. That boy promptly asked her to homecoming. Patty and Mike were wed on Oct. 5, 1984, and moved shortly thereafter to Dallas, TX, to start their respective careers in contract hospitality sales and commercial real estate. After a further stint in Massachusetts, they moved back to Middleton in 1995, where they raised their three children.

Sun
31
Oct
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Ronald F. “Ron” Gehin

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/31/2021 - 14:25

MIDDLETON–Ronald F. “Ron” Gehin, 83, of Middleton, passed away on Oct. 6, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Madison, the son of Emil Gehin and Monica (Schoepp) Gehin. Ron graduated from Middleton High School, and he married Nancy Schwandt on March 30, 1968, in Middleton. He served in the US Army National Guard of Wisconsin and was honorably discharged in August of 1965.

Ron owned E. Gehin & Son Landscaping with his father for 21 years and then developed an owner/operator over-the-road trucking business for 17 years. During retirement, he enjoyed driving a school bus for the Middleton/Cross Plains school district and Badger Bus.

Fri
29
Oct
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Middleton routs Memorial in playoff opener

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:42

Senior running back Elijah Gray and several of his Middleton teammates weren’t in a rush to head home following the Cardinals’ 33-3 victory over visiting Madison Memorial in a WIAA Division 1 first-round playoff game last Friday night.

The Cardinals lingered at midfield, hanging out on the team logo, taking pictures and relishing the win following what was likely Middleton’s final home game of the year.

“It was big because it’s my last year of playing high school football, and I have a lot of goals I want to accomplish after this year,” said Gray who rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown along with a two-point conversion. “To go out with a bang feels good. I’m proud of my team. We grinded hard, so I’m really thankful for this win.”

Third-seeded Middleton (7-3) advanced to play at second-seeded Wisconsin Rapids (7-3) — which defeated seventh-seeded Oshkosh West 35-0 — on Friday at 7 p.m. Sixth-seeded Memorial finished 5-5.

Fri
29
Oct
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Middleton set to face Rapids in Level 2

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:39

Middleton’s football team hasn't been to Level 3 of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs since 2016. And the Cardinals have only reached that impressive point twice since 2009.

But Middleton has a chance to reach the third round — which, in essence, is the Elite 8 — with a win at Wisconsin Rapids Friday at 7 p.m. in a Level 2 playoff game.

The Red Raiders, who are the No. 2 seed in their bracket, are 7-3 overall this season. Rapids is coming off a 35-0 win over seventh-seeded Oshkosh West in the first round of the playoffs.

Middleton, the No. 3 seed, is also 7-3 and coming off a 33-3 dismantling of Madison Memorial in a Level 1 game.

“We're right where we thought we would be,” Middleton coach Jason Pertzborn said. “I like where we are right now and how we're playing.”

He should.

Fri
29
Oct
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Boys XC team wins sectional title

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:37

Few expected this.

Then again, not everyone fully understands how well Middleton boys cross country coach Brian Finnel prepares a team for their biggest moments.

One week after a mediocre showing at the Big Eight Conference meet, Middleton produced its finest showing of the year. And now, the Cardinals are headed to the WIAA Division 1 state meet for a ninth straight year.

Middleton won the DeForest Sectional with 61 points last Saturday, easily outdistancing second-place Madison West (82). One week earlier, West had defeated the Cardinals by 29 points at the conference meet.

Middleton senior standout Griffin Ward captured the individual championship at sectionals, completing the 5,000-meter race in 15 minutes, 44.76 seconds. That was nearly 20 seconds faster than runner-up Jack Boerger of Sauk Prairie.

Fri
29
Oct
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Girls XC team talking title

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:35

Alexa Richardson wasn’t shy.

Richardson, Middleton’s girls cross country coach, was talking about the upcoming WIAA Division 1 state meet. And Richardson didn't hold back when discussing how these Cardinals could be remembered.

“This is arguably the best girls team Wisconsin has ever seen when looking at depth,” Richardson said. “And they're excited to be a part of it and contribute to the school's and team’s success.”

While Richardson’s statement was bold, it’s certainly not hyperbole.

Middleton cruised to the alternate-fall state championship in May. The 2021 Cardinals have been even better and deeper, and will look to make history when the state meet begins at Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids Saturday at 2:25 p.m.

Since the WIAA went to a 20-team field at state in 2005, the best team performance came from Arrowhead in 2012. Those Rockets dominated the meet and finished with a stunning 41 points.

Fri
29
Oct
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Girls spikers two steps from state

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:33

Nothing comes easy at this time of the year.

If Middleton’s girls volleyball team needed a reminder, it came Saturday night. Good thing for the Cardinals that lesson was reinforced during a Middleton win.

In a WIAA Division 1 regional final, second-seeded Middleton rallied for a 3-2 win over seventh-seeded Onalaska. The Cardinals were pushed to the brink, but pulled out a 25-20, 14-25, 14-25, 25-21, 16-14 win.

Middleton and third-seeded Waunakee now meet in a sectional semifinal Thursday in DeForest at 7 p.m. The sectional final is Saturday in Baraboo at 7 p.m. and would be against either top-seeded Holmen or fourth-seeded Verona.

“Onalaska gave us a run for our money,” Middleton coach Maddie Vogel said. “We had played them early on this season, and they showed a ton of improvement from that first time we saw them to (Saturday) night.”

Fri
29
Oct
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Boys spikers close in on state berth

Submitted by MTT News on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 19:31

One down.

Two to go.

Middleton’s boys volleyball team won its regional opener last Friday, rolling past Madison East 25-17, 25-12, 25-19.

The Cardinals advanced to a regional final against Madison Memorial that was held Tuesday. If Middleton prevailed there, it would advance to a sectional final Saturday against either Waukesha West or Kettle Moraine at 7 p.m. in McFarland.

The winner of Saturday’s sectional final advances to the state tournament, which will be held Nov. 4-6 at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

“It was a good overall effort for us,” Middleton coach Rob Kleinschmidt said of the Cardinals’ win over the Purgolders. “Our blocking was very good, with 17 total block points on the night. 

“Madison East's coach felt that was the best East played all season, so it was good to see our effort up as well to keep them to the same number of points scored as in our dual match.”

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