Anne Katherine Witlock | 1926 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Sep 20, 2023 | 3:39 PM / 387 views
Anne Katherine Witlock, 97, Java, died Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at the Bowdle Nursing Home, where she had resided since August 2021.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Monday, September 25, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Java, led by Pastor Brian Nies. Interment follows at the Church Cemetery. Musicians will be Carol Fiedler and Michelle Mueller. Ushers will be Carlyle Bieber and Ron Fiedler.
Honorary bearers will be Anne’s great-grandchildren and the staff at the Bowdle Nursing Home.
Casketbearers will be grandsons Scott Witlock of Aberdeen, Eric Witlock of Eureka, SD, and Jared Anderson of Pierre, SD; and great-grandsons Cody Lantis of Fargo, ND, Brayden Lantis of Sartell, MN, Mason Lebeda of Java; and Jonas Henrich of Ortonville, MN.
Visitation commences 4:00 PM Sunday at Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle, with a 5:00 PM prayer service.
Anne’s funeral will be live streamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Anne Katherine, daughter of Martha (Bollinger) and Heinrich Mueller, was born at her parent’s home near Java on May 21, 1926. She was united in marriage to John Witlock, Jr. on May 14, 1950 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Java. They farmed near Java until 1973 when they moved into town. Anne worked as a cook in the Java and Selby, SD Schools for 35 years, as well as waitressing at the Gold Nugget in Bowdle for 23 years. In 1982, Anne began working as a painter, and continued in that vocation for many years. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Churches Ladies group (WELCA). She also belonged to the So and Sew Extension Club, the SD School Food Association, and the Java Legion Auxiliary. A highlight of Anne’s life was a trip to Austria where she visited her father’s birthplace. She also enjoyed many bus trips to various places. “Grannie Annie”, as she was commonly called, was well known and will be missed by many.
Anne is survived by two sons—David (Viv) Witlock of Selby and Douglas (Evie) Witlock of Aberdeen; two daughters—Rebecca Witlock of Java and Denise (Rollie) Anderson of Kennebec; one brother Ervin Mueller of Aberdeen; son-in law, Arden Gilbert of Aberdeen; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four step grandchildren; and nine step great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, on March 20, 1982; her father, Heinrich, on August 18, 1974; her mother, Martha, on May 3, 1973; two daughters—Deborah Witlock and Jeanne Gilbert; five brothers—Henry J., Carl, Anton, Harold, and Otto; and two sisters—Emma Raba and Marie Schreter.
Services are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.