Richard Wittner

1926-2017

Richard C. Wittner, 91 of rural Cass Lake, Minnesota died on Thursday, November 23, 2017 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cass Lake. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Farris Farden Township cemetery in rural Cass Lake, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.

He was born July 21, 1926 in St. Paul, the son of Leopold and Katherina (Spirk) Wittner. They moved to Wilkenson Township when he was one. He attended Raboin Country School and Cass Lake High School. He married Arvilla Kolkin in Cass Lake on September 6, 1948. They lived in Farden Township for 67 years. He owned and operated Richard Wittner Bus Company from 1950 to 1998, when his wife and son Kenny took over the business. He owned Richard Wittner Logging, delivering firewood until he retired last year at the age of 90. He enjoyed socializing with people he delivered wood to in Walker, Bemidji, and Cass Lake. He employed many area people over the years. He had a strong work ethic, liked Chevy cars and trucks, loved being with his family who he was very proud of. He enjoyed ice cream every night and sharing his candy store with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arvilla Wittner of Cass Lake; daughters: Diane Wippler of Esko, Nancy (Roy) Heuss of Burnet, Texas, Margie (Mark) Hanson of Oak Grove, and Connie (Gary) Smith of Duluth; sons: Rick (Sharon) Wittner of Nevis, and Kenneth (Renee) Wittner of Cass Lake; sister, Loretta O’Malley of Cass Lake; 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Mary Bahr and Rose Petersdorf; brothers: Leo, George, and Robert; and daughter Barbara Ellis.
Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.