George Witte

George Witte, age 85, of Schaller, Iowa died January 20, 2016 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Burial will be in the Schaller Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, January 22, 2016 from 4-8:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. George Eldon Witte was born November 12, 1930 in rural Ida Grove, Iowa the son of Henry and Magdalena (Wunschel) Witte. On January 25, 1931, he was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. On April 18, 1943, he was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cook Township, Sac County. Growing up, George attended Cook Township #4, graduating from the 8th grade in 1944. He sang many solos as a little boy and continued to share that musical talent as an adult at many funerals, weddings, choirs, etc. He loved his music. In January of 1951, George enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Germany for three years during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on the 4th day of October, 1954. George graduated from Schaller High School in 1948 and was voted the male athlete of the class. George worked various jobs during his high school years and until joining the Air Force. One of those jobs was at Thompson Hardware where he acquired many lifetime skills which he used to remodel his first owned home and helped remodel his previous home. After returning from the Air Force, he started his lifelong job at Pfister Hybrid Corn plant north of Schaller retiring after 41 years on March 1, 1996. The plant was then called Jacques Seed Co. On October 16, 1955, he was united in marriage to Janice Stehr at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Last year, 2015, they celebrated 60 years of marriage. This marriage was blessed with three children: a daughter, Kimberli Jan, and two sons, Kevin Mitchell and Kurt Aaron. George was a long time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he was a voting member, usher, Sunday School superintendent, played dart ball and sang in the choir. He is a long time member of the Lions Club and VFW. He spent many years bowling on the State Bank of Schaller bowling team and also played some golf. Together, George and Jan were able to have an enjoyable trip every fall and visit many states. They attended approximately 700 ballgames and school events of their children and grandchildren and enjoyed ballroom dancing. George was also a lifetime fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team and the Green Bay Packer football team. George wrote an amazing story of his life ten years ago entitled “My First 75 years”. He ended with “I’ve really lived the good life!” Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 60 years, Jan of Schaller, Iowa; daughter, Kim (Jim) Mickelson of Odebolt, Iowa; sons: Kevin (Connie) Witte of Ankeny, Iowa; and Kurt (Amy) Witte of West Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren: Bradley Mickelson of West Des Moines, Iowa; Adam (Renada) Mickelson of Newell, Iowa; Kara (Dustin) Reis of Waukee, Iowa; Connor and Carter Witte of Ankeny, Iowa; Erik, Shaye and Kyle Witte all of West Des Moines, Iowa; great grandchildren: Jaxon and Evan Reis of Waukee, Iowa; Naome, Caden, and Bryan Mickelson of Newell, Iowa; sister-in-law, Joyce Witte of Sac City, Iowa; brother, Donald (Wilma) Witte of Bentonville, Arkansas; many extended family and friends. George was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Magdalena Witte; sisters: Esther Patterson, Hertha Teghtmeyer and Irene Carstensen; brothers: Clarence, Roy, Edward, Lee, Burdette, Robert and Emmett Witte; and his parents-in-law, Henry and Frieda Stehr. George will be greatly missed as he was dearly loved by his family. And, The Greatest of these is Love!

George Witte

November 12, 1930 - January 20, 2016