Obituary of Donald Paul Witkowski

Donald P. Witkowski, age 88, of Marshall, passed away at home January 29, 2014. He was born March 22, 1925, in Ripon, WI, the son of Felix and Cecelia (Schneckenberg) Witkowski. He served in the Navy in the Pacific during WWII from 1943 - 1945. He was married to Renee (Gerrits) on February 28, 1948. He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at Waupun and later as superintendent at the Thompson State Farm in Cambridge until, after 33 years, he retired in 1981. In retirement, he volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul in Lake Mills. Don was an avid Badgers, Packers and Brewers fan. He enjoyed attending musical performances and sporting events of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as local teams at all levels: recreational, high school, Legion, college, and Home Talent. In the words of one player "he was the true, true definition of a loyal fan". He especially loved time spent with family and friends, most often ending up in a good card game. His favorite pastime was fishing. He is a member of Holy Family Parish and the American Legion Post #279. One special highlight he had was going on the Badger Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son Barry. He is survived by his children, Theresa (Robert) Arbuckle, Shreveport LA; Sharon (Bernie (Ken)) Shaver, Deerfield; Gary (Pat), Oconomowoc, Jerome (Dianne), Ripon; Barry (Annette), Deerfield; Larry (Diane), Marshall; and Karri (John) Fries, Deerfield; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; brother Mike Levenhagen (Donna) Ripon and sister Louise Hopp of Ripon, sisters-in-law Betty Witkowski of Neenah, Darlene Witkowski of Ripon and Miriam Gerrits of Appleton, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Renee; infant son, Harry; his twin brothers and sisters, Bernard Witkowski and Beatrice Chikowski; and Florence Hock and Florian (Andy); sister, Lorraine (Teenie); brothers-in-laws, Ray Chikowski, Ed Hock, Arnie Bier, Jim Hopp and William Gerrits. Visitation will be Monday, February 3, 2014, 5:00 - 8:00 pm. at St. Mary's of the Nativity Holy Family Parish, 120 S. Beebe Street, Marshall, WI and 9:00 - 9:45 am, Tuesday, February 4th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the church at 10:00 am. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Marshall, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Badger Honor Flight, American Diabetes Association, or Marshall Home Talent to build dugouts at Fireman's Park. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Cambridge, WI is assisting the family.