Tenth Generation

869. Ivan Edwin WITT was born on 30 March 1933.⁶⁴⁶ He died on 27 April 2022 at the age of 89 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁴⁶ Obituary Notes: "Ivan Edwin Witt, 89, of Kendall, passed away on April 27, 2022, at Tomah Health. Ivan was born March 30, 1933, to Edwin and Martha (Cook) Witt. He graduated in 1950 from Tomah High School. He received the American Farmer award from the FFA. He went on take the agriculture and industrial short course through the University of Wisconsin Madison. In 1961, he married Shirley Jo Lankford at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, South Ridge (Ontario). They lived, raised a family, and worked the family farm the rest of their lives.

Ivan dedicated his whole life to the farming community. He was a member of the regional Associated Milk Producers Inc board and with them took several trips. He served multiple terms on the FSA county committee.

Ivan was a lifelong member of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, South Ridge (Ontario). He served as a member of the church council several times taking on the roles of trustee, secretary, and president.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Shirley, his son Kevin, grandson Daniel, his parents Edwin and Martha, and other brothers- and sisters-in-law and nephews.

Ivan is survived by his sons, Sterling (Jamie Bell) and Kenneth (Barbara) of Kendall, granddaughter Megan of Sparta, grandson Travis (Bridget Phillips) and great-grandson Elliot of Hillsboro, sister Verna Smillie of La Crosse, and many other relatives and friends.

A Christian Victory Service will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, 25525 Co Hwy P, Ontario. Pastor Jacob Limpert will officiate. Burial will be in the South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, Township of Wellington. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Tues at the church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

Smith-Nelson/Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home as assisting the family."

Ivan Edwin WITT and Shirley Jo LANKFORD were married on 17 June 1961 in Ontario, Vernon County, WI.^428,646,647 Shirley Jo LANKFORD, daughter of James A. LANKFORD and Anna Mae COSBY, was born on 30 June 1935 in Columbus, Fayette County, KY.⁶⁴⁷ She died on 11 October 2014 at the age of 79 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁴⁷ Obituary Notes: "Shirley Jo (Lankford) Witt, 79, of Kendall died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at Touch of Home in Tomah. She was born June 30, 1935, to James A. and Anna Mae (Cosby) Lankford in Columbus, Ky.

She was a member of Mauston High School’s graduating class of 1953. After high school she attended business college in Madison. She worked for several years at various secretarial positions, her last position being for Royall School District. Shirley was united in marriage to Ivan Witt June 17, 1961, at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church.

She was a known for making candy and was known as the “Candy Lady.” She was a faithful member of St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, where she was baptized and confirmed and also served on the Ladies Aid. Shirley was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ivan of Kendall; three sons, Sterling (Lee Anne), Kevin and Kenneth (Barbara), all of Kendall; two grandchildren, Megan and Travis Witt of Kendall; two brothers, James (Dina) Lankford of Skokie, Ill. and William (Francis) Lankford of Port Edwards, Wis.; and a sister, Gloria Lankford of Eau Claire, Wis.; several other nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Danny; and an infant sister, Anna Louise.

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at St. Matthews Ev. Lutheran Church, 25525 County Hwy. P, Ontario, Wis., 54651. Pastor Steven W. Neuman officiated. Burial was in South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery."

Ivan Edwin WITT and Shirley Jo LANKFORD had the following children: