Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” Witte, 79, of Butterfield, Minnesota, will be held Monday morning, February 3, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Lutheran Church of Butterfield, located at 450 2nd Street South. Pastor Lowell Asplund will be the officiating clergy. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church cemetery west of Odin, Minnesota.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 2, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel at the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James, located at 906 10th Avenue South. A second visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Gerald “Jerry” Witte passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, Minnesota.
He was born 0n June 27, 1934, in St. James, Minnesota, the son of Art and Olga (Anderson) Witte. Olga (Anderson). Jerry lived in St. James until he joined the United States Army in 1954, serving until 1956, during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned home, where he married June (Samuelson) on November 17, 1956. After they were married, they made their home in Butterfield.
Jerry loved the farm, hunting, fishing, cards, games, and taking of the lawn and gardens. He loved to socialize and get together with friends and family. When he was around, there was always lots of talking, laughter and action. Jerry had one speed – and that was fast. Whether it was mowing lawn, painting or home improvement, he was always in high gear. He loved spending time up north on the lake and in the woods. Jerry had a soft heart for his family and friends and would be there in a minute to help someone in need.
Jerry was active in his community serving on the Butterfield City Council and on the First Lutheran Church Council, on the board of the Butterfield Threshermen’s Association, and as a member of the Butterfield Fire Department and the Donald Larson VFW Post #9607.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, June; daughters Jodi Witte (Lowell Schafer) of Woodbury, Minnesota and Kari Witte of Butterfield; grandchildren Zach and Ben Schafer; brother Denny (Candy) Witte of St Peter, Minnesota; nieces Tammy Kamm and son Reid of Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Holly (Chris) Just and son Zach of St. Peter; nephews Michael (Judy) Witte of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and their children Marlan and Cecelia, Mark Witte of St. James and daughter Afton of New Ulm, Minnesota, Marleen Witte of Minneapolis, Minnesota; cousin Gary (Carol) Fleming of Chanhassen, Minnesota and other cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, stepmother, two brothers, and one nephew.
