Obituary of Irene Wittman

Irene Wittman, age 92, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Parkview Heights Living Center, Garnett.

She was born on September 8, 1926, at Scipio, Kansas.  She was the sixth of ten children born to Francis and Gertrude (Hermreck) Kueser.  She grew up in the Scipio area, where she attended the East Scipio Grade School.  She then graduated from the Richmond High School with the class of 1944.  Irene went on to live in Kansas City while she attended a secretarial school.  She lived in Kansas City until moving to Garnett in the summer of 1946.  On September 9, 1946 Irene married Raymond Wittman at the St. Boniface Catholic Church, Scipio.  They were just shy of celebrating 70 years of marriage when Raymond passed away.    He and Irene bought and moved to a farm northeast of Garnett in April 1948, where Raymond farmed and raised cattle and Irene was able to stay with the children and help with the farm.  After the children were in school, Irene worked at Elliott’s Dairy in Garnett for several years until its closing.

Irene was a faithful member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church and the Altar Society.  She was also one of the volunteers to take Holy Communion to the nursing homes and hospital.  She was an avid fan of the Kansas City Royals, keeping her own stats for many of the games.  The unspoken rule of not interrupting a game was well understood by her family.  She also enjoyed attending as many of her grandchildren’s events as possible.  Irene was an active volunteer for many area groups as well as taking friends and relatives to Doctor appointments.  She loved to visit, and never met a stranger, this made Bingo one of her can’t miss activities because she loved the game as well as getting to spend time with her friends.  Throughout her life Irene was an active card player with a few area card clubs.  Playing cards was also integral to many family get togethers.  Irene always loved to keep cats around the farm and enjoyed watching their antics.  Above all, her family was her greatest love and she will be remembered for her countless acts of love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond on August 20, 2016; her parents; two infant daughters, Ann and Joan; daughter, Elaine Marez and son-in-law, Johnny Marez; and six brothers and one sister.

Irene is survived by her six children, Gary Wittman Costa Mesa, California, Karen Valentine and husband Clark of Ottawa, Kansas, Alan Wittman and wife Lana of Garnett, Jeff Wittman and wife Trish of Garnett, Alice Wittman and David Gillaspie of Ottawa, and  Rod Wittman and wife Kim of Garnett, Kansas; 16 grandchildren, Brandon Valentine, Sara Waxmonski, Philip and Vincent Marez, Amanda Wittman, Jeffry, Tanner, and Tavia Wittman, Jacob, Nick, Nathan, Elizabeth, Miranda, and Adam Gillaspie and Colby and Rayleigh Wittman;  and 18 great grandchildren; two sisters, Theresa Schermerhorn of Maryland and Marie Robertson and husband, Jerry of Richmond, Kansas; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, burial following at Holy Angels Cemetery, Garnett. The family will greet friends after a 7:00 PM rosary at the church on Tuesday evening.  Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Church or St. Rose School or W.I.N.G.S.  You may leave condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.