Witte, Jana Lou Steuerwald

WITTE, STEUERWALD, WATKINS, GENTZSCH, FORD, PECH, BATEMAN

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer poster (email)
Date: 7/25/2008 at 08:38:41

Witte, Jana Lou Steuerwald View/Sign Guest Book

BETTENDORF — Jana Lou Steuerwald Witte, 51, Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away Sunday morning, July 6, 2008, in her home. Jana was born July 10, 1956, in Geneseo, Illinois, to Wilfred and Lou (Watkins) Steuerwald. She was a 1974 graduate of Ottumwa High School and a 1978 graduate of Coe College. Jana received her Master’s of Music Education Degree from the University of Iowa in 1984. On December 28, 1985, Jana was united in marriage to Craig Witte at First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa. Jana taught vocal music in the Central Community Schools, DeWitt, for 15 years. She was currently the accompanist for the choirs at Pleasant Valley High School and taught private piano and voice lessons in her home for many years. Most recently, Jana was furthering her education by becoming a certified Suzuki Piano and Voice instructor.She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton, the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the PEO Chapter of DeWitt, and was a past member of ACDA and MENC. Jana was a devoted wife and mother who especially enjoyed cooking, gardening and traveling with her husband and sons. Music was Jana’s passion and she shared her love of music with her family and students. Jana was a marvelous teacher and was at her best instructing and accompanying her students. Surviving are her loving husband, Craig; sons, Steven and Brian Witte, Bettendorf; her parents, Wilfred and Lou Steuerwald, Ottumwa, Iowa; her sister, Gae Gentzsch and husband, Don and children, William, Andrew and Anneliese, Iowa City, Iowa; mother-in-law, Audrey Witte, DeWitt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark Witte and his wife Marsha and daughters, Ann (Aaron) and Ellen, DeWitt, The Rev. Marilyn Witte, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Dianne Witte and husband, Richard Ford, New Haven Connecticut; other relatives and friends. Preceding Jana in death was her father-in-law, Wesley Witte, her grandparents, a cousin, Eric Steuerwald, uncles, Ernie Pech and “Red” Allen and a half uncle, Bob Bateman. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clinton. The Rev. J. Elizabeth Liggett officiating. A memorial fund is being established for the Pleasant Valley choral, band and orchestra departments. A photo tribute may be viewed and condolences expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, assisting the family.Death date: July 6, 2008
Published in the Clinton Herald from 7/7/2008 - 7/12/2008