Clifford J. Witzke, 71, resident of Perham, MN, died Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Funeral Services for Cliff will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM in St. John's Lutheran Church, Perham, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, April 25, 2011 at David Donehower Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service. Interment will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Perham, MN. Clifford Joseph Witzke was born June 28, 1939 in Minneapolis, MN to Joseph and Esther (Speck) Witzke. He grew up in the Perham area and graduated from Perham High School in 1957. After school, Cliff enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was united in marriage to Judy Christianson and later divorced. Following his honorable discharge, Cliff started his career in the lumber business. He worked for a lumber yard in New York Mills and later for a lumber yard in Lake Park. On July 3, 1978 Cliff was united in marriage to Charlotte Crowell-Block. In 1979, he started his own business in Detroit Lakes called Cliff's Building Supplies. He eventually sold his business and continued his career with Steel -Wood Supply in Detroit Lakes until his retirement in 1999. He was a past member of the Lions and Elks Clubs in Detroit Lakes. Cliff had many talents and past times, but he especially loved the game of baseball. From his days of pitching his way to state or watching his beloved Twins, the game ran through his veins. Cliffs love of the outdoors spanned across his lazy days on the lake fishing, his early mornings in the marshes scouting ducks, to his own personal holiday, chasing a trophy whitetail. Cliff had a special gift for making a person smile. His unending one liners, classic quotes, and pet names were a sure bet to break the ice. He also enjoyed planning and assisting on construction projects and loved his dogs, Kotter, Ace and Jack. Cliff will be remembered and missed by his two sons: Brad Witzke of Dilworth, MN and Jason (Sara) Witzke of Perham, MN, one grandson: Parker Lubitz, his mother, Esther Witzke of Perham, MN and one brother, Dale (Cheryl) Witzke of Crystal, MN. He is preceded in death by his father Joseph Witzke. Memories of Cliff may be shared online at www.daviddonehower.com
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Previous Events
Visitation
Monday, April 25, 2011
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
David-Donehower Funeral Home
609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Prayer Service at 7:00
Service
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
11:00 AM
St. Johns Lutheran Church
Corliss Township
Perham, MN 56573