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Commission approves second annual Tombstone Trot; Friends report $12,723 in 2024 fundraising and $63,000 columbarium sales
Summary
The commission approved the Friends of Prairie Home Cemeteryrequest to hold the second annual Tombstone Trot on Oct. 19, 2025. The Friends reported $12,723.94 raised in 2024 and the cemetery reported about $63,000 in columbarium sales in November.
The Waukesha City Cemetery Commission voted Dec. 17 to allow the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery to hold a second annual "Tombstone Trot" run/walk on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
Commissioners described the inaugural event as respectful and well organized. Chair Amanda Ratti, who participated in the first run, said she "felt it was done very tastefully," and other members noted positive feedback from residents and veteran groups. Staff said the Friends worked with a familiar event organizer and the Parks Department; Silver Circle Sports was named as a vendor the city has used.
During the meeting Karen relayed a financial summary from Joe Nicosia, president of the Friends of Prairie Home Cemetery: total funds raised in 2024 were $12,723.94, disbursements totaled $6,842, and the Friends' closing balance was $13,273. Karen also reported cemetery operations through November, noting 157 services year-to-date with eight scheduled for December and that columbarium (niche) sales totaled about $63,000 in November.
A commission member moved to approve the Friends' request to host the Tombstone Trot; the motion was seconded and approved without recorded opposition in the provided transcript.
The Friends told commissioners the event raised money for projects including phase 2 landscaping around the chapel; the Friends also listed goals for 2025 that include further event approvals and possible veterans memorial recognition. The commission will review related project requests and budget implications at future meetings; the next commission meeting is Feb. 10.
