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Joan M. Witte

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Service Information

Joan M. Witte, age 89, of Hector, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cathedral City, California.

Funeral Service will be Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 11:00 A.M., at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hector, with interment in Hector City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, April 7, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 P.M., at Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hector and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials preferred to the Hector Swimming Pool Renovation Project. Please make checks payable to Hector Swimming Pool and mail to PO Box 473, Hector, Minnesota, 55342, or donate via Venmo @Hector-Pool

Funeral Service will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/@firstlutheranhector220

Visitation/Gathering
Hughes-Hantge Chapel
311 Main Street South
Hector, MN
Website:hughes@hantge.com
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Service
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
220 5th Street West
Hector, MN
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Funeral Chapel
Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel
311 Main Street S.
Hector, MN 55342
Phone:(320) 848-6297
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Cemetery
Hector City Cemetery
Renville County, Hector Township, Section 32
Hector, MN
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Obituary

Joan Marie Witte was born on July 14, 1935, in Ellendale, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Fred and Ella (Handke) Retzlaff. Joan was baptized as an infant at German Lutheran Church in Ellendale and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at Methodist Church in Ellendale. She received her education in Ellendale and was a graduate of the Ellendale High School class of 1953. Joan furthered her education at the University of North Dakota - Ellendale Campus, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

On November 18, 1961, Joan Retzlaff was united in marriage to Harold Witte at Presbyterian Church in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. This marriage was blessed with three sons, Gene, Paul, and Neil. Harold and Joan made their home in Hector, Minnesota. They shared 61 years of marriage until Harold passed away on April 12, 2023.

Joan was a teacher in North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She retired in 1963 to raise her children. Joan was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Hector. She also served as President and Chairman of the Hector Christian Women’s Club. Joan was very proud to have been on the original board to build the Hector Swimming Pool in 1965.

Joan loved to swim and be active. She was a Certified Water Safety Instructor as well as a Senior Olympic Runner. She also loved flying and obtained her pilot’s license at Austin-Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin when in her early twenties. Joan also enjoyed spending time on her backyard swing, feeding and watching birds and traveling. Her winter months were spent in Palm Springs, CA, where she could swim and enjoy the beautiful mountains and desert of Southern California. She especially cherished time spent with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Joan passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cathedral City, California, at the age of 89 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Joan is survived by her:
Sons, Gene Witte of Waianae, HI,
Paul Witte and his wife, Dana of Frankfurt am Main, Germany,
Neil Witte and his wife, Angela of Tyler, MN;
Grandchildren, Madison and Caleb Witte; of Rochester, NY, and Marshall, MN;
Sister-in-law, Patty Retzlaff of Gilbertsville, PA;
Sister-in-law and Brother-in-Law, Eileen and John Raforth of Sturgis, SD;
and many nieces and nephews.

Joan is preceded in death by her Parents, Fred and Ella Retzlaff; Husband, Harold Witte; Sister, Arlene Johnson; Brothers, Fred Retzlaff, Palmer “Pete” Retzlaff; Sister-in-law, Lois Retzlaff; Brother-in-law, Darrel Johnson; Sister-in-law, Donna Piehl; Brother-in-Law, Warren Piehl.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy Kramer says

    March 18, 2025 at 7:23 am

    I will always cherish the great talks and times at the pool with Joan!
    What a beautiful lady.
    Prayers to the family.

    Reply
  2. Jean Kirgiss says

    March 19, 2025 at 10:29 am

    Wonderful memories over the years of our sweet friendship.. Praying comfort & peace for her 3 boys…Gene, Paul, Neil, who were the pride of her life!

    Reply
  3. Tammy & Mike Radloff says

    March 22, 2025 at 11:48 am

    I love this photo of Joan . What a beautiful smile. What a beautiful Woman she was inside and out lots of fun times heaven definitely gained a beautiful angel and she’s gonna walk beside me every day as she will with you and your family I pray for comfort and peace to you all Gene, Paul, Dana, Neil, Angie, Madison, Caleb and other relatives. RIP our dear Joan

    Reply
  4. Carol Beckler says

    April 12, 2025 at 12:32 pm

    Thinking of you & wishing you moments of peach & comfort. Joan was always kind every time we saw her. Sending hugs & prayers. Carol Beckler & Shelley Gregonis

    Reply

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