Donald “Eric” Witzke

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 3:02 pm

Donald “Eric” Witzke, 74, of Cedar Rapids, died unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. Services are at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids. Burial is at 3:30 p.m. graveside at St. Aloysius Cemetery, Calmar. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and again after 9 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.

Donald Eric was born April 1, 1941, in Decorah, the son of Donald J. and Norah E. Newell Witzke. He married Mona Halverson; they later divorced. Thanks to Glen and DeLoris Thornton, he started his lifelong career as a truck driver for Thornton Feeds, Wholesale Feed, Foodline and IDS. After attempting retirement, he decided to keep working at the job he loved, working only part time, up until 2014. Eric enjoyed being with family and friends, golfing, boating, camping, fishing and playing cards. Spending time and making memories with all of his special camping and boating friends was something he always cherished.

Eric is survived by his wife and best friend of 47 years, Pat; three daughters: Lisa Witzke of Decorah, Tina (John) Angell of Woodbury, Minn. and Lynette Deaver (Robert Skavronski) of Pittsburg, Pa.; two grandchildren, Jordan and Jared Graham, both of Woodbury, Minn.; brother David (Janice) Witzke of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; brother-in-law Larry (Pat) Houdek of Cresco; sisters-in-law Karen Jertson (Butch Hodge) of Dubuque, Ila Mae Vick of Fairbank, Debra Strasser (Denny Frimml) of South Amana; brother-in-law Steven (Janet) Houdek of Calmar; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Norah, and special family friends Pee Wee, Ossie and Lloyd Jr. Wohlford.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be left at teahenfuneralhome.com.