Karl Wittmann

1930 - 2017

Wittmann, Karl Karl A. Wittmann of Three Lakes WI, formerly of Sussex, passed away on Jan. 12, 2017. He is survived by his wife Claudia and devoted children Amy, Art, K.C., and daughter-in-law Tammy, as well as grandchildren, great grandchildren, and step sister Beverly. Karl was a 1949 graduate of Waukesha High School. He served in the U.S. Army Core of Engineers in Korea. He was proud of his lifetime of work in the Milwaukee area printing industry as a lithographer and pressroom supervisor at E.F. Schmidt & Co., Arandell Schmidt Corporation, and Arandell Corporation. However, his greatest source of pride was his three children. Karl was born in Milwaukee to Helen and Carl Wittmann in 1930. He became a small town resident when he, his brother John, and his mother moved to Sussex to join step-father Elmer Krebs and his daughter Bev. It was there that Karl became part of a group of teens who remained lifelong friends. Claudia Kaderabek was one of that group. She and Karl soon began a lasting relationship that would eventually grow into a happy 63 year marriage. Shortly after they were married Karl and Claudia visited friends on the Three Lakes Chain of Lakes in northern Wisconsin. They fell in love with the area and vacationed there yearly with family and friends. They purchased lake property on the chain and renovated two small cabins there in the late 1980's. When they retired in 1993, a permanent home was built near what became guest cabins. Those cabins were often used and enjoyed by family and friends from many parts of the country. Karl loved life on the lake where he boated, fished, swam, and watched and fed the birds and other wild life. During a number of summers, he delighted in fishing and water skiing with his two young Minnesota grandsons Brandon and Grant. He and Claudia introduced those two young Viking fans to the wonders of Lambeau Field and the Packers. He pursued a hobby of making small birch bark bird houses which he gave away to visitors. He also enjoyed caning and refinishing furniture, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, card games, and watching old movies. Since Karl was a great reader, he made weekly visits to the Three Lakes library. The library staff said they always knew Karl was there because they could hear him quietly humming among the stacks as he selected books for the upcoming week. As a young man, Karl loved horses. He and Claudia liked to say they courted using Karl's horse and buggy. That love of animals extended to a number of Newfoundland dogs and a special black Lab named Rosie. Karl's family prefers to remember and honor his good life privately. No flowers, please. They are grateful for the very special care Karl received from hospice at home and at Seasons Of Life in Woodruff, WI. If desired, memorials may be made to Demmer Memorial Library in Three Lakes, WI or Ministry Hospice Services of Rhinelander, WI.