Walter W. Wittenberg

Walter W. Wittenberg, age 90, of Litchfield died on Friday, September 30, 2011 at his home in Litchfield, MN. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN with Pastor Paul Lindhorst officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Interment will be held in Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Walter William Wittenberg, the son of John and Adina (Abraham) Wittenberg was born on January 14, 1921 in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County, MN. He was baptized on Febuary 24, 1921 in Alfborg Township, Sibley County and was confirmed at the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gaylord, MN on December 11, 1938. Throughout his life, Walt lived in Lafayette, Burnadette, Fairfax and Litchfield, MN. Walter went to work on area farms at a young age. He then worked for the United States Forestry Department as a lookout in the Rocky Mountains near St. Regis and Thomson Falls, Montana. Walt was in the U.S. Army from August 6, 1942 to January 12, 1946, where he earned Three Battle Stars. During this time he was a Range Section Noncommissioned Officer where he supervised Range section personnel in operation and maintenance of fire control instruments and equipment on 40 MM guns. He served during World War II and was in three major campaigns in the European Theatre of Operation, including the Battle of the Bulge. After his military service, Walt returned to Minnesota, where he started a farming partnership with his brother George. Walt was united in marriage to June Rick at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield on January 23, 1996. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church and is a current member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was active in the Farmers Union and was a lifetime member of the V.F.W where he was on the honor guard for many years. Walt enjoyed farming, bowling, gardening, tinkering and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Walter is survived by his wife, June of Litchfield, MN; children, Dennis (and Lynn) Rick of Rockford, MN, JuLeen Peek of Litchfield, MN, Laura (and Ric) Gibson of West St. Paul, MN, Randy (and Becky) Rick of Anahuac, Texas, Larry (and Jody) Rick of Litchfield, MN and David (and Terri) Rick of Litchfield, MN, 39 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; brothers, Edward Wittenberg of Buffalo, MN, Rudolf (and Ellie) Wittenberg of Pine River, MN; sisters-in-law, Verda Wittenberg of Glencoe, MN, Hazel Wittenberg of Litchfield, MN; special nieces, Gail (and Geary) Olsen of Grant, MN, Betty (and Donald) Schultz of Litchfield, MN and Peggy (and Curt) Meidinger of Zeeland, ND; and 32 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Adina; brothers, Elmer Wittenberg, Arthur Wittenberg, George Wittenberg, Andrew Wittenberg and Edwin Wittenberg; sisters, Adelia Pleiseis, Adeline Twedt, Violet Brown and Helen Wittenberg and son-in-law, Dan Peek. Previous Events Visitation Saturday, October 1, 2011 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Sunday, October 2, 2011 3:00 PM St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church 227 South Ramsey Litchfield, MN 55355