Witter, Theodore William 1939-2026

WITTER, LOOMIS, CORLEY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/4/2026 at 13:45:21

Theodore "Ted" William Witter, 86, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on May 2, 2026, at Good Samaritan Care Facility after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was surrounded by his loving family as he passed to his heavenly home.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, May 8, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Reverend Tim Geitz will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 10:00 am until service and following the service during a time of lunch and fellowship, all at Grace Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars or the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Ted was born on October 9, 1939, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Theodore Henry Witter and Ida Lillian (Loomis) Witter. He graduated from Sioux Rapids High School in 1957, and earned a B.S. in Biology from Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA in 1962. He served in a U.S. Army M.A.S.H unit in Korea from 1963 to 1964, before beginning his career as a medical laboratory technologist at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Sioux City in 1965.

It was here where his supervisor introduced him to a fellow med tech named Jean. The two hit it off, and on October 1, 1966, he married Jean Theda (Corley) Witter at St. John's Lutheran Church in Craig, IA. Together they raised a family and enjoyed building a life in the country, until moving to Le Mars in 1997. He retired in 2004 after nearly 40 years at the hospital.

Faith was the foundation of Ted's life. He was a devoted and active member of Grace Lutheran Church and a longtime member of the choir. He read his Bible daily and lived his faith with quiet consistency.

He was deeply devoted to his family and found his greatest happiness when everyone was together. He enjoyed photography and was often found capturing family gatherings on video. He led by example, teaching the values of faith, honesty, and commitment.

Ted found joy in spending time outdoors, never met a dog he did not like, and was an avid fisherman. He loved nothing more than heading to one of his favorite fishing spots near Okoboji and wetting a line at the crack of dawn.

That same quiet joy carried into his love of music, whether listening to Statler Brothers, or bringing his own voice to the music he loved. He was gifted with a rich bass voice, which he shared for many years singing in the church choir and also with the Siouxland Discovery Barbershop Chorus and Quartets.

He shared these passions with his children and grandchildren, and his legacy will live on in the memories they carry and the traditions they continue. Ted will be remembered for his kind and faithful spirit and the steady, meaningful way he lived his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Jean; his daughters: Tracy Farnham (Kenny Thomason) of Royse City, TX, Julie Witter-Jewell (Dan Van Hee) of Dodgeville, WI and Cindy (Rob) Kovacs of Ankeny, IA; his grandchildren, Jordan (Michelle) Farnham, Sara Farnham; Tate, Beau, and Corley Jewell; Courtney, Matthew, and Evan Kovacs; and a nephew Barry T. (Karen) Beagle. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Henry and Ida Lillian (Loomis) Witter; and his sister, Bonnye (Witter) Beagle and her husband Barry.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Ted as his health declined, especially the staff at Good Samaritan Society – Brentwood in Le Mars and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care.