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BORN
1923
DIED
2013
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Eugene Witter Obituary
Eugene E. Witter died on May 1, 2013, resting peacefully on his John Deere tractor. He was born April 23, 1923, to the late Earl W. and Gertrude (Kolbe) Witter. On August 20, 1949, he married Wilma (Levandoski) and together they raised a daughter and two sons.
Following WWII, Gene promoted the music he liked so much bringing Polka bands, like Romy Gosz, to the Rothschild Pavilion. He was a 4-H leader, served on the American Dairy Association/Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board from 1984-1997, board member and past-president of the Marathon County Farm Bureau, and past-president of the Marathon County Holstein Association.
Eugene was a founding Director on the People's State Bank Board and served as a board member from 1962-2002.
Witter's Dairy hosted the June Dairy Month Fun Run for 14 years (1981-1995). Founded in 1875, Gene is the fourth generation Witter to operate Witter's Farm Dairy. He delivered milk to homes and schools in the Wausau area until 1963, when home delivery was discontinued.
The big Holstein cow head greeted customers on County Road U coming to Witter's Farm Store. Remembered for the freshest milk in glass bottles, five cent ice cream bars, and the very best chocolate milk. Witter's stopped bottling and selling milk in 1986, something they had done since 1963, but the family continues its long history of farming and milk production.
Gene loved farm projects, especially if he could be on the tractor, painting, or burning brush!
He survived two strokes, liver cancer, and a broken leg. He was looking forward to getting back on the fields and driving tractor again. During the last few years, Gene needed help getting around and could be seen cruising around the farm on his golf cart.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Willie; daughter, Christine (Clifford) Avery, Oakdale, MN; sons, Scott (Renee) Witter, Trenton, FL; and Thomas (Diana) Witter, Wausau, WI.
Grandchildren, Laura Martin, Las Vegas, NV; Curtis (Allison) Egner, Burnsville, MN; Charlotte (Matthew) Rozek, Folsom, CA; Jesse Roble Witter (deceased); Danielle Witter (fiancé, Jonathon Minton), Nashville, TN; Jenny Witter (fiancé, Kyle Kasieta), Wausau, WI; Stephanie Witter (fiancé, Nate Steinagel), Wausau, WI; and Luke Witter, Wausau, WI.
Great-grandchildren, Christina and Cassey Martin; Grover and Walter Rozek; and Elara Egner.
Sisters, Grace (Maurice) White, Madison, WI; Delores (John - deceased) Janke, Wausau, WI; and brother, Clark (Sally) Witter, Carmichael, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
A celebration of life will be at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 426 Washington St., Wausau, with Rev. Philip Schneider officiating, on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Witter
Diane Steinagel
May 14, 2013
Whenever I would go get some of Diana's yummy sweet corn and Gene would be outside we would chat about his apple trees and which ones were the best. Many a time he would pick one from the tree and hand it to me, what a wonderful man! My blessings to everyone in the Witter Family.
JERRY GWIDT
May 10, 2013
Cousin Willi and Family,you have my deepest sympathyat this time I will always remember cousin as a harding working and caring person.
May 8, 2013
Dearest willie& family, you have our deepest sympathy at this difficult time, as you remember and honor your wonderful husband and amazing dad. He made such a difference in all of our worlds; thanks for sharing him with all of us! Warm regards, Joe and Anna Chilsen Straub
Sara Witter West
May 8, 2013
My favorite place when I was a kid visiting from California was The Farm. Uncle Gene always had a big smile and a fudgesicle or maybe some chocolate milk to share. My heartfelt condolences go out to Willie, Tom & Diana, Luke, Stephanie, Jenny, Scott & Renee, Danielle, Christine, Charlotte & Curtis. Eugene will be missed by many.
Jess Grebe
May 8, 2013
I am thankful for the experience that Witter's Dairy provided for us young folk growing up. I tell people to this day about Witter's an that anything out of a bottle is the best taste. I remember Gene coming to my grandpa Otto Grebe to get his 15 foot Christmas tree every year. I have many fond memories of Gene an seeing him on his John Deere tractor out in the field. I'm sorry for your loss. May God comfort an bless your family.
Barbara Marschall
May 8, 2013
Always enjoyed the visits I shared with Gene and Willie, when taking his sister Lauri to spend a little time with him ... Gene had a wonderful personality, full of energy, smile, twinkle in the eyes, and always a story to tell. Feel fortunate to have met him.
Karie McAuliffe
May 8, 2013
God bless you Gene for all the happiness you brought to this world. May God hold your family in his hands as they grieve their loss. You were a very special man and my family has very fond memories of visiting the "dairy" for milk and treats. Rest in peace dear friend.
JERRY KOSTKA
May 8, 2013
WILLIE AND FAMILY, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, GENE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND PERSON, I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE TIMES WE SHARED AT THE LOAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS AT THE BANK, HE ALWAYS BROUGHT ME A BOTTLE OF CHOCOLATE MILK.IT WAS ALSO GREAT TO SEE GENE DRIVING HIS TRACTOR WHEN WE WOULD GO BY THE FARM OR WALK UP WESTWOOD DRIVE. HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED. JERRY AND GLORIA KOSTKA
Angela Baumann
May 8, 2013
I have very fond childhood memories of going to Witter's Dairy early on a Saturday morning to get milk, cheese, butter and whatever else it was that we needed. My dad would get what we needed and my sister and I would walk down to the calf pens and pet them until our dad was done. Watching milk being bottled was always a highlight of our trip to the dairy. Thank you Mr. Witter for the wonderful memories.
Jenny Witter
May 8, 2013
This fire is for you:)
Jennifer Witter
May 7, 2013
To my Grandad, you are so greatly missed. I am so honored that you were such a big part of my life. I will always love and miss you!
Daniel Hudgins
May 6, 2013
So sorry for your loss. I'm a good friend of Danielle's. I know how special grandparents are. Prayers for you all for peace and comfort.
Clarence Shelbrack
May 6, 2013
Gene was my first summer employer when I was 16 years old.I would ride my bike to the farm early in the morning.Gene will be missed by all.
Diane Echols
May 6, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rose Mary Plautz
May 5, 2013
Gene was a good farmer and work hard and did many good thing. God Blessing to the family
Jayne Steiner
May 5, 2013
What a wonderful kind man Gene was. I remember going in the house to pay the milk bill and ended up talking for a long time. We were long time neighbors (Shelbrack) and Gene would ride by the house on his tractor and wave with that big smile on his face with his summer tan. May he rest in piece and ride those heavenly hills on a big ol tractor. Jayne Steiner
Lloyd Roberts
May 5, 2013
As a teenage in the late 1950's, I worked for Gene washing milk bottles for 50 cents/hour. He was a fair and gentle man and I enoyed working form him. My sympathy goes out to his family and may Gene rest in peace. Lloyd Roberts
Judy Pederson
May 5, 2013
Some of my children's fondest memories are of stopping at Witter's. They would race to see the calves around the corner and then come into the store for their favorites--orange pushups and Mickey Mouse icecream bars.He always had a mischievous smile! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim Hackbarth
May 5, 2013
I met Gene when I was a DHIA fieldman in 1970 and 1971. We had many interesting, enjoyable conversations during the evening and morning milkings each month. I'll always consider him one of my (many) mentors that I didn't appreciate enough in my younger days.
Rest in Peace, Gene.
May 5, 2013
We will always cherish the many memories of Gene. As a Friend as well as a Businessman Dairy Producer & Customer. The 4H meetings, the milk bottling process & his love for the Cattle Breeding Business. To Willie & Family...our Prayers to you all!!!
Duke & Marlene (Aschbrenner) Thurs
Jane Clark
May 5, 2013
As a child I remember fondly of Mr. Witter's milk delivery to our home and how he would brighten our day with his infectious smile and kind words -- what a nice man. -- my sympathy to the family.
Scott Magrecke
May 5, 2013
Gene you wear a real work horse God bless you will be missed
Dawn Lonsdorf
May 5, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about Eugene's passing. Now he and George can spend all day laughing and joking on their farms in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with Willie and family. With love, Dawn Lonsdorf
Carl Tessmer
May 5, 2013
Gene was a kind and friendly man, a role
model for all who knew him. A great farmer!
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