Obit: Witt, Gerald (Jerry) E. (1930 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Witt, Anderson, Holte, Bowe, Nelson, Ciurro, Urban, Dorn, Wagner, Thacker, Skahaug, Schmidt

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 5/13/2015

Witt, Gerald (Jerry) E. (4 October 1930 - 6 May 2015) With Flag

A well-respected area farmer, Gerald ‘Jerry’ E. Witt, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2015. He was always a kind and modest man in spite of his successful farming operation south of Stanley. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was born in Stanley on October 4, 1930, the second son of Harry and Norma (Anderson) Witt. He attended Fagan School and Stanley High School, graduating in 1949.

After high school, he worked briefly in Kenosha and also attended telegraphy school in Minneapolis. As a teenager, his parents helped him to establish his first herd of cows. When he served in the U. S. Army, Jerry married his dancing partner, Joanne Holte from Strum, on March 13, 1956. She joined him in Germany where they lived for about two years, making it possible for them to travel around Europe and Scandinavia when he had days off. Jerry’s part of the farming operation continued, and he took over the family farm in 1957 when he returned from Germany.

Jerry was loyal to his high school friends, where he played in the band. He continued to attend his class reunions and the alumni events. As a young man, he played in the Drum and Bugle Corps, went to every local dance that was possible, and enjoyed many vacations with friends and family. A favorite spot every summer was the resort area near Gordon, where the whole family enjoyed camping, fishing, and having fun.

During his adult life, he was a bus driver for Stanley-Boyd Schools for many years, served on church council at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, and had some rental properties. Always aware of nature, he enjoyed riding his tractor and being able to view the city of Stanley from his hilltop farm. He found two beautiful maple trees on his farm, dug them up and planted them on the church lawn where they have grown into beautiful pieces of the Lord’s art.

Jerry was always willing to help others. His honesty and humility were two of his best traits.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joanne; and five children: Cheri Witt, Tami (Jeff) Bowe, and Greg (Vickie) Witt, all of Chippewa Falls, Kim (John) Nelson of Stanley, and Jeff (Jan) Witt of Menomonie. Also surviving are grandchildren: Jason Nelson, Jessie Ciurro, Christina Urban, Faith Bowe, Jacob ‘JJ’ Bowe, Sara Dorn, Michael Nelson and Kenneth Nelson, Austin, Treysen, Grant and Garrett Witt, Kaitlin Witt; step-grandchildren: Kyle, Dayna, Karlyn, Ethan, Maria, Jade; great-grandchildren: Austin, Preston, Nolan, Russ Jr., Daisy, Darrin; sister, Janice (Witt) Wagner, in Findlay, Ohio; and many brothers-and sisters-in-law.

Preceding him in death were his sister, Elaine, as an infant; his parents, Harry and Norma Witt; his brother, Ronald Witt; his mother- and father-in-law, Seymour and Lillian Holte; his brothers-in-law: Bill Wagner, John Holte, and Ben Thacker; and his sister-in-law, Donna Skahaug.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stanley with Pastor Ken Schmidt officiating. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery, Stanley. Visitation was from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at the church on Saturday. Plombon Funeral Service, Stanley, assisted the family.