Witzel, Gregory Eugene 1948-2005

WITZEL, ENGEL, BUNTJER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2014 at 14:49:12

Hawarden Independent Ireton Examiner June 23, 2005

Gregory Eugene Witzel, 56, of Hawarden died suddenly on Thursday, June 16, 2005 at his residence. Funeral Service was June 20 at the Hawarden Community Church in Hawarden with the Rev. Doug Baker officiating. Burial with Military Rites was at the Worthington Cemetery in Worthington, Minn. Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden was in charge of arrangements.

Gregory Eugene Witzel was born on Oct. 17, 1948 the son of Cecil and Mardelle (Engel) Witzel in Worthington, Minn. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1966, graduated from Worthington Senior High School and was married to Diane Buntjer. The Air Force was Greg's life for eight years, during which he served a tour of duty in Vietnam. At this time he often comforted the troops with his self taught talents on the guitar. Greg graduated from Worthington Community College.

In 1975 Greg and Connie Rozeboom were married and lived in Albuquerque, N. M. for 15 years. He was employed as a supervisor for Atex Oil and managed Big Bear Oil. In 1992 Greg and Connie moved to Leota, Minn, and he became a private contractor for Schaeffer Oil Inc. On June 16, 1992 a tornado destroyed Bud and Clara Rozeboom's entire farm. Greg and Connie and family worked many long hours in the cleanup, three years later they relocated to Hawarden.

Greg's hobby of singing karaoke developed into Greg's Country Sounds and he especially loved entertaining at the Hillcrest Health Care Center. Greg was an active member and elder of the Hawarden Community Church and a member of the American Legion, which included duty in the Honor Guard.

Survivors include, wife Connie; sons, Paul Eugene, Scott Gregory, and Bryce Harvard and daughter, Mardelle Clara; his brothers, David Witzel of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., and Bradley Witzel of Worthington, Minn.; sister Tracee Eucken of Jeffers, Minn.; and four granddaughters.