Dancing Grannies Mourn 3 In Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

WAUKESHA, WI — The collage of photos of the uniformed women varies by occasion and colorful, glittery costume — but in every instance, the staple in every picture remains the same.

The smiles.

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a choreographed dance and pompom parade troupe, have been performing at community celebrations around the region since 1984. But two days after a SUV broke through barricades and onto the Waukesha Christmas parade route Sunday afternoon, the group — known for putting smiles on the faces of the audiences for which they perform — is mourning the loss of three of their own.

Of the five people who died in Sunday’s tragedy, three were members of the Dancing Grannies. The group’s choreographer, Virginia Sorenson, 79, Leanna Owen, 71, and Tamara Durand, 52 — who was performing for the first time with the group — were killed, police said. Another victim, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, reportedly helped the group, according to the Associated Press.

Other members of the group remain hospitalized after being listed among the 48 people who were injured in the tragedy shortly after 4:30 p.m.

“Our group was doing what they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness,” the Dancing Grannies wrote on their Facebook page Monday night. “While performing the grannies enjoyed hearing the crowds cheers and applause which certainly brought smiles to their faces and warmed their hearts.

“Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies. Their eyes gleamed.....joy of being a Grannie. They were the glue....held us together.”

According to the Dancing Grannies’ website, the dance troupe is constantly changing but among its members boasts more than 100 grandchildren and some great-grandchildren. The women range in age from 50s to 70s — and all are grandmothers, the group's only prerequisite.

But in tributes that were made public after Sunday’s tragedy, members of the group were remembered for their energy and vibrancy, and as people who were just hoping to bring joy to people when Sunday’s incident took place.

“She was that kind of person that captured your attention as soon as she walked into the room,” David Durand, the husband of Tamara Durand, told reporters Monday, according to The New York Times. “She literally danced her way through the day.”

On Tuesday, the group said in a Facebook post that it is overwhelmed by the love and support that the community has shown since Sunday’s parade. Of the dance troupe members who were injured, the group said all of them remain in stable condition at local hospitals and that one is expected to be released Monday.

The group said it would post updates and funeral service notices when more information becomes available.

By Monday, several GoFundMe efforts had been started to help the victims of Sunday’s parade. One was designated for Tamara Rosentreter, who was identified by the effort’s organizer as the leader of the Dancing Grannies. According to the GoFundMe page, Rosentreter is a mother of four who is now expected to miss at least six months of work because of the injuries sustained in Sunday’s tragedy.

Like her fellow Dancing Grannies, Rosentreter was in the middle of doing what she loved when the tragedy took place. As of Tuesday, more than $13,000 of a $45,000 goal has been raised to assist Rosentreter.

“She was doing what she loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness,” GoFundMe organizer Amber Knutson said. “She has always enjoyed dancing and the happiness it has brought to the community.”

Now, that community is saddened and angered by Sunday’s events, in which a 39-year-old Milwaukee man faces five counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

“The outpouring of prayers, messages and sentiments sent to the grannies over this devastating loss have touched us deeply,” the group wrote Tuesday. “Many are asking how they can help.

“Thank you all for your outpouring of love and kind words for the Dancing Grannies.”

The Grannies have set up a mailing address where cards may be sent: It is P.O. Box 320734, Franklin, WI 53132

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.