DuWayne L. Witter

The Witter family is sad to report the loss of a legendary family figure. Longtime Wausau Realtor and businessman DuWayne L. Witter, 88, died on Monday, June 16, 2025, while resting peacefully in his chair at his cabin on Third Lake in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
DuWayne was well known and respected throughout north central Wisconsin, having been a longtime Realtor, first with Jack Williams Realty in Wausau and then on his own as founder and president of Witter Realty, which he operated throughout the 1970s and '80s. He also famously operated the Witt's Burgers stand at the Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau for over 50 years and at the Hodag Country Festival in Rhinelander since its 1978 inception, as well as at other festivals across the state including in Oshkosh.
Serving his community was important to DuWayne and he was elected to leadership positions in multiple service organizations, most notably being past president, board member and state district representative of the Wausau Noon Optimist Club, of which he was a member for 59 years. Among his many proud accomplishments was helping establish in the 1970s and then managing the Noon Optimist Club's Ice Fisheree on Lake Wausau, an annual tradition for children and families that continues to this day. He also was past president of the Marathon County chapter of the United Way, leading the 1975 campaign that was the first to raise over $500,000 for the organization. He was also active in the Boy Scouts and other civic organizations.
DuWayne stopped running the Wisconsin Valley Fair hamburger stand just a few years ago, but for decades, you could count on spotting him watching over the operation from his lawn chair throne next to the stand, where he would greet a constant stream of well-wishers. He was also well known in Wausau Newman High School circles as he and his late wife, Dawn, were the parents of Newman Hall of Fame athletes Daniel and Desiree.
DuWayne was like the Godfather of the extended Witter family, with his seemingly endless connections and the charismatic way he commanded a room. He was enthusiastic and optimistic (hence his Noon Optimist devotion) but also willing to tell it like it is and speak hard truths. There was no slacking allowed if you were going to work for him and he always stressed the importance of the value of a dollar and to be savvy in business. But more than anything, he had a soft-as-cotton core and a razor-sharp wit, always ready with a wry smile and a zinger or two, which made him a joy to be around.
A Wausau native, DuWayne was born March 22, 1937, the second-to-last of seven children born to Lucy L. (Pietrowski) and Lawrence E. Witter. Sadly, his father died of pneumonia when DuWayne was just 3 years old. He was raised by his single mother with help from relatives, especially his eldest sibling, Virginia, who lived to be 92 and always found great joy playfully, and regularly, reminding DuWayne that she changed his diapers and cared for him and his three brothers while "Ma" worked at the shoe factory to support the family.
DuWayne graduated from Wausau High School in 1956 and married Dawn O. Schave on July 20, 1959, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Wausau. They briefly lived in Los Angeles, California, where DuWayne was a car salesman and son Daniel was born, before returning to Wisconsin. They lived first in Stevens Point, where daughter Desiree was born, then settled for good in their hometown of Wausau. They also enjoyed decades of visits to their Rhinelander cabin until Dawn's death on July 11, 2005, nine days shy of their 46th anniversary.
Influenced by the example set by his hard-working mother and relatives, including cousins on Witter's Dairy Farm in Wausau (which he proudly would inform recent visitors was celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025), DuWayne held numerous jobs in his younger years and developed a tireless work ethic. He spent summers toiling on the dairy farm owned by his mother's sister, Agnes, and her husband Benny Filtz; was a door manager at the Wausau Theater; and worked for a cheese factory and iron parts supplier. He also worked for the Michigan-Wisconsin pipeline company, General Telephone, and Marmet and Crestline window companies. He was bitten by the real estate bug while serving as an apartment manager for his older brother, LaVern, who convinced him to become a landlord himself, which led DuWayne into full-time business as a Realtor and eventual founder and president of Witter Realty.
DuWayne is survived by children Daniel (Veronica) Witter, Mosinee, and Desiree (Kris) Luloff, Neenah; grandchildren Danielle, Dominique and Michael (Jadie) Witter; great-grandchild Preston Witter; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, DuWayne was predeceased by all his siblings and their spouses: Virginia Sacho; LaVern (Rose Mae) Witter; David Dean (Barbara) Witter; Lawrence "Buddy" (Joan) Witter II; and infant twins Janette and Jerome Witter.
In his later years, DuWayne took great joy in following the teaching and coaching careers of Dan and Desiree, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchild grow into productive adults and find their way in the world. He was proud of his role as patriarch of the extended Witter family. He was always interested to hear what his nieces and nephews were up to and was more than happy to share his "Uncle DuWayne" wisdom to the very end. As his health declined in his final months, DuWayne cherished simple pleasures: visits and calls from family and friends, a piece of candy or two, regular trips to the diner in Rhinelander, and especially a fish fry. As he recently told a visiting niece and nephew, "I've got just enough to buy me a fish fry on Friday night. What more do I need?"
DuWayne's final wish was that he would be able to die at his cabin, and the family will forever be grateful for the blessing that it was granted.
The family extends special thanks to neighbor, caretaker, handyman, and longtime friend Butch Scholtes for all he did for DuWayne, right up to his final day. Thanks also to the staff at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital and Rennes Health and Rehab Center for their recent care for DuWayne, which allowed him to be able to return home for his final weeks.
Per DuWayne's wishes, there will not be a funeral, but the family is planning a celebration of life from 2-8 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Loppnow's Bar in Wausau.