Donald 'Eric' Witzke

DONALD "ERIC" WITZKE

Cedar Rapids

Donald "Eric" Witzke, 74, of Cedar Rapids, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids. Burial: 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. Friday at the funeral home.

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 Pittsburgh, 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 and 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.

Donald Eric was born on 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.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences can be left at www.teahen

funeralhome.com.