Christopher “Willy” Witthus

Obituary

Christopher “Willy” Michael Daniel Witthus was born on October 18, 1973, to Michael and Kay (Stresemann) Witthus. Born with a congenital heart condition, Chris underwent successful open-heart surgery at the age of four. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in his faith as a youth at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Minnesota. Chris received his education in Glencoe and graduated from Glencoe Silver Lake High School in 1992.

Chris worked at Bongards Creamery for over 25 years until his passing. He enjoyed playing cards and cracking jokes. He bowled for most of his life and shared his love for League and National Tournament bowling with his Dad. He was content to sit at a bonfire himself, or with friends, and with his family, but his true love in life was fishing. When he wasn’t fishing, he was talking about fishing or thinking about going fishing. As a young boy, he was the first one in the boat, waiting for the rest to get ready.

To his friends, he was “Willy” Witthus. He had coworker companions, fishing friends, bowling buddies, old friends, and new friends, who felt like old friends. He loved to joke and pull pranks, especially if you were one of his sisters.

Chris lived life his own way. With his many circles of friends, he still didn’t like crowds. He put family first when it came to his siblings, nieces, and nephew, but also liked spending time alone. He couldn’t talk your ear off, but had his “zingers” at the ready when he responded. He found peace in nature and not in a pew. For all these reasons and so many more, he will be missed wholeheartedly and brokenheartedly by so many.

Chris is survived by
Father, Michael Witthus, and his significant other, Traci, and her son, Kaleb;
Mother, Jessica McGrady;
Sister, Shannon Schuch, and her husband, Brian, and their children, Ebony (Darin) Schuch, Madison Schuch, and Autumn Schuch;
Sister, Gina Becker, and her husband, Scott, and their children, Brady (Cherish) Perschau, and Cassondra (Cole) Mathews;
Other relatives and friends.

Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elroy and Clara Witthus, and David and Elvira Stresemann; Stepfather, Sheldon "Cal" Klaustermeier.