Dorothy Faye (Fitzgerald) Witte, 95, Bland, passed away Saturday, May 25, 2019.
She was born Dec. 5, 1923 to Louis and Laura (Lacy) Fitzgerald, on a farm south of Bland.
She was united in marriage to Emil Witte and to this union, she was blessed with seven children.
To her family, Dorothy was the matriarch who lived by the examples of hard work, self reliance, not judging others, and doing what was right and good for others. She built and provided a life for her family, often under difficult conditions, but never complained, and showed that success or failure is a choice.
Her greatest joy in life was her family. Through the years, Sunday dinners were epic. Cooking, sewing, quilting, gardening, canning and tending her flower beds consumed much time and energy, not to mention raising seven children in years and a time when many modern conveniences were not available. She was a true country woman who got things done with what was available without complaining.
Dorothy graduated from Bland High School. She and her children attended Canaan Methodist Church for many years. She was a member of Gerald Church of God.
Her family was blessed beyond measure to have her as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother as well as a role model for living. We will miss her more than mere words can express, but we celebrate a life well lived.
She was preceded in death by parents, Louis and Laura; husband, Emil; son, Lewis Witte; sister, Ruth Dittman; brother-in-law, Leslie Dittman; and granddaughter, Shelly Groff.
She is survived by six children; Dennis Witte and wife Sue of Bland, Oscar Witte and wife Shelly of Greenville, Leslie Witte and wife Elizabeth of Bland, Donna Cooley and husband Ray of New Haven, Richard Witte and wife Rita of Bland, and Ruth Kohrmann and husband Steve of Bland: daughter-in-law, Alice Witte of Beaufort; and 22 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be (today) Wednesday, May 29, from noon to 3 p.m. at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Chapel in Owensville.
Funeral services will follow at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home at 3 p.m. in Owensville with Pastor Brad Perkins officiating. Burial will be at Howard Cemetery in Bland.
Memorials may be given to Howard Cemetery.
