Florence M. Witberler

Florence M. Witberler 91, Wausau, formerly of Marathon, peacefully passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at Marywood Convalescent Center, Wausau. She was born April 1, 1916 in Marathon, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Gassner) Krautkramer. On December 30, 1939 she married Oscar Witberler in Wilmette, Illinois. He preceded her in death on November 2, 1979. Florence was born the second of ten children on a farm South of Marathon. She lived with nuns at the convent while she attended St. Mary School. As a young lady she worked as a nanny in Chicago. After her marriage to Oscar they returned home to Marathon City to live on his family farm where they worked together for many years. As an active member of St. Mary, Florence visited the sick and was president of the Parish Council of Catholic Women. She took pride and joy in tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. Some of her hobbies included fishing, playing sheepshead, and traveling on Jerry Goetsch tours to Ireland, Italy and other places in Europe. She will always be remembered for her generous hospitality and kind, welcoming smile. Survivors include her children, Gerald Witberler, Marathon; James (Lynette) Witberler, Marathon, George (Jeannie) Witberler, Marathon, Barbara Mootz, Merrill and Donna (Joseph) Kijak, Mosinee; grandchildren, Brian, Andrew, Michael, Angela, Maria, Joanne, Maryann, Lee, Terry, Vicky, Bradley, Craig, Andrea, Gabriel, Paul, Anthony and Julie; great grandchildren, Stephanie, Aubree, Sylvia, Savannah, Owen, Zachary and Logan; step great grandchildren, Cassie and Josh; sisters, Delores Rader, Cecelia (Emil) Zins, Irene Cihlar and Marie Gau; brothers, Joseph (Sylvia) Krautkramer and Lyle (Laverne) Krautkramer, many other relatives and friends. Besides her parents and husband, Oscar, she was preceded in death by two sons, Jerome and John, a grandson, Christopher, three brothers, Alois, Carl and Leroy; and a son-in-law, Dennis. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2007 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Marathon. Friends may call Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 300 Walnut Street, Marathon, and again Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff and volunteers at Marywood Convalescent Center for the wonderful care taken of Florence and also to friends, relatives and St. Mary's for their prayers and visits which brightened her day. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com View this Videotribute