James Albert Wittenburg, son of Albert and Leota Koehler Wittenburg, was born September 27, 1938 in Fayette County, Iowa. He was baptized November 20, 1938, and confirmed April 6, 1952, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He graduated from Sumner High School in 1957, and served with the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963.
On March 4, 1962, he was united in marriage with Betty Lou Thies at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. Jim farmed for a time, worked at Paul Niemann Construction Co. in Sumner, worked at what is now Terex Cranes in Waverly, and Beatrice Foods in Fredericksburg prior to retiring in 1998.
Jim’s death occurred unexpectedly on Thursday, January 13, 2011, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, from complications following a medical procedure. He was 72 years old and a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He was also a member of Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner. He enjoyed playing cards, fishing, and visiting with friends and strangers alike.
In addition to his wife, Betty of Sumner, he is survived by one daughter, Teressa (Mike) Woltzen of West Union; two sons, Phillip Wittenburg of Kansas City, Missouri and Michael (Jaclyn) Wittenburg, serving with the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California; and five grandchildren, Kyle and Amber Woltzen, David Jefferies, and Isabella and John Michael Wittenburg.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John; and one sister, Miriam Guenther.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 16, 2011, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Interment will be at Wilson Grove Cemetery, rural Sumner with military rites by Thomas E. Woods Post #223, American Legion of Sumner.
