Stella Whitby

Stella Whitby, 93, of Malone, died peacefully Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Hospice Home of Hope. She was born in 1932 in the Town of Marshfield, the daughter of Alex and Malania (Ditter) Guelig. Stella married Wilbur “Bud” Whitby in 1953, and together they spent 64 years farming the land and raising their family. Raised on a farm in a large family, Stella learned the value of hard work early in life. She did it all—raising six children, managing the household, pitching in with farm chores, and working full time at Tecumseh for an impressive 31 years. Free time was a luxury she rarely had, so she turned her work into her hobbies. Stella loved to garden and bake, and she took immense pride in watching her children and grandchildren carry on many of the same skills and interests they learned from her and Wilbur. Stella is survived by five children: Thomas, Donald (Linda), Gerald, Karen (Randall) Page, and Ronald (Tammy); grandchildren, Chancy Whitby, Tynan (Brenna) Whitby, Jessica (Nick) Johnson, Katie (Brad) Smith, Alicia (Ralph) Racette, Brittany (Barry) Ott, Alex (Kaylee Sanders) Whitby, Emma (Dustin Hobbs) Whitby, Michael (Larissa Noutong) Page, and Jenna (Tomás Bañuelos) Page; great grandchildren, Ethan, Estella, Evelyn, Olivia, Oliver, Andralyn, Alyssa, Allyson, Bryce, Killian, and Cassandra; sisters Esther Boehnlein, Theresa Kiefenheim, and Elizabeth (Leander) Ebertz; and sisters in law Kathy Guelig and Mary Alice Guelig. Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; son, Dennis; parents, Alex and Malania Guelig; father and mother in law, Walter and Martha Whitby; sister, Helen Hoerth; brothers, Harold, Joe, and Alex Guelig; brothers in law, David Kiefenheim, David Boehnlein, Norbert Hoerth, Walter Whitby, Edwin Koehler, and Robert Mach; and sisters in law Katie Guelig, Carol Koehler, and Marian Mach. The family thanks everyone who reached out to Stella these past months—each and every visit and phone call lifted her spirits. The family also wishes to express deep gratitude to the caring staffs at St. Francis Terrace and Hospice Home of Hope. Per Stella’s wishes, a private service will be held on March 28, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to Kurki Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, and as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice Home of Hope, 400 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, or St. Francis Terrace Assisted Living, 345 E. First Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

Stella Whitby

September 20, 1932 - March 8, 2026