Green County Pulse

Author: GCPulseAdmin

Obituary: Karen L. Marti

Karen L. Marti, age 80, of Monticello, died on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at SSM Monroe Hospital, surrounded by her family. Karen was born on July 6, 1944 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of George and Elaine (Pierce) Rodenberg. She was a 1962 graduate of Monticello High School and attended Madison Cosmetology School. Karen was united in marriage to Donald F. Marti on October 23, 1965 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Argyle.

Karen was a loud and proud supporter of her children and grandchildren at sporting events. She loved camping, campfires, and traveling. Her favorite pastimes were reading, gardening, making jewelry, and crocheting. She was especially proud of making afghans for the most special people in her life. She passed on her love and compassion of pets to her children and grandchildren. Karen had the time of her life at her 80th birthday party with a glow of happiness all day long. She was devoted to the Monticello community. She provided in home daycare to several elderly residents and also volunteered many hours decorating Main Street for the holidays and Monticello Homecoming.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Donald Marti; three children, Jody Marti (Dionne Womack), Kristine (Tom) Witt, Michael (Marcy) Marti; five grandchildren, Alysha Witt and fiancé Nick Quinn, Alex Witt, Katie Witt, Mitchell Marti, Essence (Mike) Weaver; great granddaughter, Macy Weaver; brother, Allen Rodenberg (Judy Prisk); and sister, Rhonda (James) Schiek. She is further survived by nieces and nephews, Kelli (Tom) Cross, Jamie (Mark) Emmerson, Gary Jr. (Sherry) Boley, Thomas (Katie) Boley, Andrew Boley; brothers-in-law, Leo (Peggy) Marti, Gary Boley, Sr.; and close friends, Jan Woelffer, Elaine Steve, Carolyn Babler, Angie Masching, and many other close friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Zoe (Pierce) Rodenberg; her father, George Raymond Rodenberg; father and mother-in-law, Bernard and Margaret Marti; and friends, Alice Woelffer, Claudette Freitag, and Ramona Loughan.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Albany American Legion, 300 N Water Street. Memorials may be sent in Karen’s name to Don Marti, 546 S. Monroe Street, Monticello, WI, 53570. The NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net

January 21, 2025
Green County Sheriff’s Office – 1/20/2025

The following events occurred on January 20, 2025:

All persons arrested or cited are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

OWI:
At 10:15 PM, Deputies and Brodhead PD responded to a vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway, causing a traffic hazard, in the N600 block of CTH G, Town of Spring Grove. After an investigation, Nichole R Tobler, 31, Davis, IL, was arrested for OWI 1st offense – alcohol. She was cited for OWI 1st and Operating Left of Center. She was released to a responsible party pending a court date.

Patrol Sgt. D. Jackson #7
Green County Sheriff’s Office

January 21, 2025
Update – Town of Jefferson – Motor Vehicle Crash Fatality – January 20, 2025

The following is an update of Town of Jefferson – Motor Vehicle Crash Fatality – January 20, 2025.

The semi unit operator was identified as Richard Waters 66, of Waukee, IA. Waters was not injured during the crash. The operator of the northbound pickup truck was identified as Randall Whitney, 84 of rural Juda. Whitney was pronounced deceased at SSM – Monroe Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation at this time.

Sheriff Cody Kanable

January 20, 2025
Town of Jefferson – Motor Vehicle Crash Fatality – January 20, 2025

On Monday, January 20 at 9:38 AM the Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a two vehicle crash in the N2200 block of Richland Road in the Town of Jefferson. The crash location is approximately 2 miles east of Monroe. Deputies immediately responded to the scene along with Juda Fire Department and Green County EMS.

Preliminary investigation determined a semi tractor trailer unit was parked on Richland Road due to a mechanical problem. The semi unit had flasher lights activated. A northbound pickup truck collided with the semi trailer. The pickup truck driver was identified as a 84 year old rural Juda man, he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He was transported to SSM – Monroe Emergency Department where he was pronounced deceased. The operator of the semi unit was identified as a 66 year old Waukee, IA man, he was not injured. The semi trailer sustained moderate damage and was removed from the scene. The pickup truck sustained severe front end damage, with no airbag deployment and was towed from the scene.

Names of those involved are being withheld at this time. This is Green County’s second traffic fatality of 2025.

Our thoughts are with the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one.

Sheriff Cody D. Kanable

January 20, 2025
Green County Sheriff’s Office – 1/19/2025

The following events occurred on January 19, 2025:

All person’s arrested or cited are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Motor Vehicle Crash – Property Damage
At 6:34 PM, Deputies responded to the N7700 block of STH 104, in the Town of Brooklyn, for a reported two vehicle crash without injuries. The investigation found that Karla K. Wethal, 57, of Evansville, was traveling southbound and began slowing down to turn. Joseph R. Brown, 19, of Brodhead, who was driving behind Wethal, then collided with the rear of her vehicle. Wethal and Brown reported they were wearing their seatbelts and were uninjured. Wethal’s vehicle sustained functional damage, with no airbag deployment, and was driven from the scene. Brown’s vehicle sustained disabling damage, with no airbag deployment, and was towed from the scene. The investigation resulted in Brown being cited for Inattentive Driving and he was released pending court.

Patrol Sergeant Derek Whitcomb #10
Green County Sheriff’s Office

January 20, 2025