Oak Creek|News|
Oak Creek Honors Life of Former City Clerk
LaVerne Gutknecht was one of several officials who fought off an annexation attempt and helped incorporate Oak Creek.

Email: mark.schaaf@patch.com
Phone: 262-497-1633
Hometown: Prairie du Chien, WI
Birthday 5-6-85
Bio: Being a journalist is the only career I've ever wanted for myself, and I'm so blessed that I'm getting to do it professionally. I grew up reading newspapers and by the third grade, I was making my own newspapers out of printer paper and putting them out on the porch at night, so when my dad got the Wisconsin State Journal in the morning, mine would be right next to it. (true story - my parents still have the copies) I have a passion for good journalism and I'm happy to be bringing that enthusiasm to Patch.
I grew up in Prairie du Chien and attended college at UW-Eau Claire where I served as editor of The Spectator. I worked for NOW Newspapers for 3 1/2 years before heading over to Patch to be the editor in Oak Creek.
Besides journalism, I'm passionate about music (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Jack White) and the Milwaukee Brewers; I enjoy reading (non-fiction, mostly) and Sunday nights on HBO; and I believe Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK but he did not act alone.
LaVerne Gutknecht was one of several officials who fought off an annexation attempt and helped incorporate Oak Creek.

Gerald Peterson, in his second full year on the job, is now making $118,000.
Success came almost instantly for di Carlo, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week and has recently taken up residence at Meadowbrook Country Club in Mount Pleasant.
Oak Creek's state representative will again lead the Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities.
Success came almost instantly for di Carlo, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week and reigns as arguably Oak Creek's most popular restaurant.
Businesses at the corner of Chicago and Puetz roads will be offering specials and gift ideas this Saturday at Market Place Village's annual Holiday Stroll. Santa will be on hand, too.
Aldermen Dan Jakubczyk, Jim Ruetz and Ken Gehl want another two years on the Oak Creek Common Council.
The Sikh community and other faith-based groups raised questions about issues ranging from gun control to immigration laws.
The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee's annual luncheon will also feature the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Three Oak Creek residents were forced from their home after a fire on Ryan Road Friday night.
David A. Van Derboom was pulled over near the airport Sunday night and had a preliminary blood-alcohol content of .15, according to the Sheriff's Office.
A big crowd gathered at Oak Creek City Hall and Community Center and got in the holiday spirit.
From Dec. 1 through April 1, no overnight parking is allowed without permission from the Oak Creek Police Department.
Three council and two school board seats will be up for election on April 2, 2013. Saturday is the first day candidates can begin circulating nomination papers.
The beating of a 16-year-old boy is at least the second time in the last two months a teenager has been assaulted in an Oak Creek park.
Video game systems, video games, computers and cell phones were stolen from a residence on Wildwood Drive. Police did not find signs of forced entry.
LaVerne Gutknecht, who died last week at the age of 86, was instrumental in fighting off Milwaukee's annexation attempt and incorporating Oak Creek as a city.
Police do not know who is responsible for the slashing, which happened in the overnight hours Sunday.
Fox's hit TV show will feature Nick Young, who spent years training at his mother's dance academy in Oak Creek and previously appeared on 'So You Think You Can Dance.'
Dozens of vendors, music and more coming to South Milwaukee High School.