WEST SALEM - Elna “Babe” J. Witt, 93, of West Salem, was called home to her Heavenly Father on January 12, 2024. She was born on July 9, 1930, to August and Ottilie (Erdman) Zuhlke. She grew up in South Ridge, near Kendall, WI. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Ridge. She graduated from Tomah High School in 1947.
Babe married Harlan C. Witt in 1950, and they later divorced. In 1968, Babe moved to West Salem and joined Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She was a very active member in the church in her earlier years. She was a homemaker, raising children, taking care of the family home. As the children grew Babe decided to work outside the home. Her first job after moving to West Salem was at Maple Grove Country Club. She waitressed there for many years, where she made lasting friendships with her coworkers. At the age of 46 Babe decided to go back to school and attended Western Wisconsin Technical College and received her nursing degree in 1977. She then worked at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta for 28 years, retiring at the age of 76.
Babe took great pride in her home and yard, to the level of pristine. She had many compliments on her yard daily and people wanted to know her gardening secrets. She spent countless hours working on her yard every day. In the winter months she spent countless hours shoveling snow, salting, and keeping the sidewalks clean. She had a very special friend, down the block, she lovingly nick named “Snow Boy’’, Jason Leece. They cleared snow together for many years, and while doing so, tried to solve the world’s problems! She loved spending time with her grandchildren. Playing games, baking cookies and pies, planning birthday parties, sleepovers, tea parties, and going to school events. She was especially close to her 2 youngest grandchildren, Garrett, and Dana. She participated in hunting events, sporting events, countless horse shows, and MMA fights, which she supported, but always made her nervous. She was so proud of them.
Babe was a very outspoken, humorous, kind, and hardworking person. She had very high expectations. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who will be sadly missed by those that knew and loved her.
Babe is survived by her children, Randy (Pat) Witt of Merrill, Jill Giese of Alma Center, and Laurie Carlson of West Salem, grandchildren, Ryan Witt, Spencer Giese, Graham Giese (Erica Lundberg), Grant (Brooke) Giese, Garrett Carlson, and Dana Carlson; she is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Babe also loved her special 4-legged grandkids, Ruby, Tilly, Elmo, Enzo, Barbie, and Ketone.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Rueben, Edward, infant brother Harvey, and Edna Hoefs, along with brother and sister in laws.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, West Salem with Reverends Jean, and Jon Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon in South Ridge Cemetery, rural Ontario.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church, Our Savior Lutheran Church, West Salem. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
