Henry A. Witzke

Henry Auler Witzke passed away on December 4, 2022, surrounded by his family in Oshkosh, WI. He was born September 28, 1934, to William and Lydia Witzke in Oshkosh, WI. Henry was the fourth child born to William and Lydia during the great depression. Lydia’s uncle Henry Auler and wife Linda having no children of their own, helped raise Henry in Oshkosh. He had many friends that he shared adventures with around Oshkosh, on Lake Winnebago, Fox River and surrounding area. He hunted, fished, boated on the ice and water. He joined the Navy on October 24, 1951, and was based in Norfolk, VA. While on leave he married Patricia Flanigan on July 4, 1953. After he left the Navy in 1955, he did numerous jobs including Cutco salesman, cab driver, fuel delivery, Oshkosh Corrugated Box (local Union President), Oshkosh B’Gosh shipping manager, owner/operator Tomorrow Wood Campground (trailer sales), boat salesman, and manager Lakeside Marina Oshkosh & Green Bay, Pistake Marina, Fox Lake, IL and Sarasota, FL. He was honored as one of Carver Yachts top 10 sales leaders for 1987.

Henry and Pat raised their children in Oshkosh and Hancock, WI. He gained his love of building from his Great Uncle Henry Auler (architect). He remodeled the entire house on Scott Ave., various rental houses, built a cottage on Lake Huron (Waushara County), built a store/rec center at Tomorrow Wood (Hancock), built two houses on Cedar Springs Lake (Neshkoro), and helped his children/friends/relatives with many projects.

He was a member of the Lions Club and Elks National Foundation and Licensed Real Estate Broker. He enjoyed playing bridge (nearly a Life Master in ACBL), sheepshead, reading, hunting, providing wisdom to all and loved being around family and friends. In his retirement his love of building continued with building four model ships.

Survived by his children Sandy Witzke, Kathy (Maria) Parker-Witzke, Will (June) Witzke, and Roxy Witzke (Mike Dvorak), grandchildren Bobby and Charlie Petermann, Lacey (Cory) Hobbs, Lenny Palek, Tricia, Mike, and Kris Ponzer, Karon Meyer, Chloe Dvorak, step-grandchildren Jamie Stahoviak, Tammy (Chuck) David, Karl & Kelby Heidenreich, great-grandchildren Logan and Paige Hobbs, Dylan & Norah Meyer, several step-great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Dorothy Witzke, Donna Flanigan and Sally (Ed) Walotka, brother-in-law Jerry Loker, many nieces and nephews and long-time companion Florence Kirk.

He was preceded in death by his Great Uncle Henry (Linda) Auler, parents William and Lydia (Hoeppener) Witzke, daughter, Barb (Greg) Stahoviak, brothers LeRoy (Kay) Witzke, Gilbert, sister Audrey (Dave) McBrair, wife of 54 years Patricia (Flanigan, Witzke) McClusky, brothers-in-law Wayne (Pat) Flanigan, Don Flanigan, Randy Flanigan, sister-in-law Sharon (Flanigan) Loker, and step-grandchild Julie (Guy) Kasbohm.

A memorial service will be held at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh, WI with Pastor Neil Wilson presiding on December 19 at 1:00 pm with visitation from 11 until the time of the service. Interment at Lake View Memorial Park following the service followed by meal. Zoom link of the service is available on Konrad-Behlman website.

Special thank you to Kaci Schutz for her passionate care, St. Croix Hospice, and the staff of The Courtyard at Oshkosh for the quality care provided in the last weeks of his life.

Memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice 93 S Pioneer Rd Ste 100, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 in Henry’s name.