Thomas L. Wittry

Monday, June 3, 2019 1:09 pm

Thomas L. Wittry, 57, of Dorchester, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2019. A Celebration of Life Gathering is Wednesday, June 5, from 3 to 6 p.m., at The Courtyard, 421 W. Water Street, Decorah.

Thomas Lee Wittry was born Oct. 9, 1961, in Cottonwood, Minn., the son of Leonard and Margaret (Vianne) Wittry. He graduated from Cottonwood High School with the class of 1980.

Tom was united in marriage to Julie Malherek May 28, 1983, in Fairmont, Minn. They were blessed with two daughters, Molly and Anna.

Tom started working as a lineman for Norm’s Electric of Rushford, Minn. in 1980, then for Tri-County Electric Cooperative in 1983, which merged and is now known as MiEnergy Cooperative.

Together, Tom and Julie shared a love of dogs. They supported each other in their training and encouraged each other to reach their competition goals.To describe Tom as an avid hunter and outdoorsmen would be an understatement. To his hunting buddies, he will be remembered as “Captain Tom;” he loved them like brothers. Tom was known for his quick wit, storytelling abilities, uniquely Tom sayings and easy smile. He would be proud to know that these qualities are living on through his grandchildren. A friend recently said it best: Tom Wittry has left a hole that only he could fill. He was a best friend, a husband, a father and a grandfather, whose love knew no boundaries or limits. Tom was a man who always put his family first. To know him was to love him. He will forever be missed.

Tom is survived by his wife, Julie; two daughters and four grandchildren: Molly (Germán) Ortiz, Eva, Lucia and Alexander of Germany and Anna (Blake) Boyer, and Brea, of Kansas City, Mo.; and four sisters: Shirley (Tom) Senden of Mankato, Minn., Mary (Bruce) Murray of Cedar Rapids, Carol Westscott of Tucson, Ariz. and Darlene (Bernie) Riley of Chaska, Minn. Tom also will be dearly missed by his labrador, Jaxon. They shared a very special bond and spent countless hours hunting and competing in hunt tests.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Margaret Wittry.

The family would like to thank everyone at MiEnergy Cooperative for the continued support. They are an amazing group of people and have been like family.

A special thank you to neighbors, friends and family for all they have done during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Fallen Lineman Foundation, as a way to honor Tom’s 36 years as a lineman. fallenlinemenfoundation.com. Fallen Lineman Foundation, P.O. Box 634, Cary, NC 27512.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at.fjelstul.com.