Lottie Witt

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 1:00 PM on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Dr. Vern Erickson officiating.INTERMENT : Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato, MNSURVIVORS : Her 4 children: Ellen Gilbertson of Mankato, MN, Louis (Donna) Witt of Scappoose, Oregon, Lois (Allen) Ophoven of Maplewood, MN, and Vicki Witt of Park Rapids; her 13 precious grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. LOTTIE G. WITTJanuary 11, 1918 " May 13, 2011 Lottie G. Witt, age 93 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Osakis, MN, was born into eternal life on Friday, May 13, 2011 at the Heritage Cottages in Park Rapids with her loved ones at her side. Lottie was born on January 11, 1918 near Janesville, MN to Charles and Senora (Gibson) Spoor. It was in that area that she attended school and grew into womanhood. On September 9, 1936, Lottie was united in marriage to Erick R. Witt in Janesville. This union was blessed with six children: Arlene, Ellen, Arlo, Louis, Lois and Vicki. The young couple engaged in farming near Janesville. Lottie devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade breads, sugar cookies, fruit pies and preserves. In addition to caring for her family, she worked along side her husband in caring for their livestock, milking the cows daily and working longs days in the fields raising the crops needed to feed their stock. They also farmed near Rapidan, MN and later near Osakis, MN. Each spring she looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which she would nurture into fruitful abundance to help meet the needs of her growing family. She also raised colorful flowers and house plants into beautiful splendor. In her quiet times she kept herself busy doing beautiful embroidery work and quilting. Each summer, when her children were small, Lottie looked forward to family vacations up north at Gull Lake. She also enjoyed fishing with her family at the river that flowed through their farm. For many years she attended Redeemer Lutheran Church at Osakis. In 1986, she endured the heart break of her husband"s death just short of their 50th wedding anniversary. She also lost a son and daughter and three grandsons. Following her husband"s death, she made her home for a short time in St. Paul and for the past 20 years has called Park Rapids her home. Above all, Lottie devoted herself to her children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her 4 surviving children: Ellen Gilbertson of Mankato, MN, Louis (Donna) Witt of Scappoose, Oregon, Lois (Allen) Ophoven of Maplewood, MN, and Vicki Witt of Park Rapids; her 13 precious grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Lottie was preceded in death by her husband, Erick; her daughter, Arlene and her son, Arlo; 3 grandsons and 9 siblings. Memorial services were held 1 PM Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with Dr. Vern Erickson officiating. Special music was provided by Dr. Erickson and his brother, Clair Erickson. Special music selections were: "Amazing Grace", "Just As I Am" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus". Interment will be made in the Glenwood Cemetery of Mankato, MN.