"Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time."
In loving memory of
Arthur Andrew DeWitz
October 26, 1935 - November 17, 2021
Arthur A. DeWitz, age 86, of Rochester, MN passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, MN.
Arthur Andrew DeWitz Jr. was born October 26, 1935 in Elgin, Minnesota the son of Arthur Sr. and Effie (Hunter) DeWitz. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1954 and earned his BS in 1961 and earned his Master's degree in Education from Winona State University in 1969. He completed his student teaching at Golden Hill and served as principal at Pinewood for 21 years, Benjamin Franklin for 5 years and Holmes until his retirement.
On February 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Dianne Gappa. They were blessed with five children and raised their family in Rochester. Arthur enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, cutting wood, along with pouring cement with his brother, Bob, and family vacations at Woman Lake. His famous whistle will be forever missed.
Arthur is survived by his five children, Scott (Lynn) DeWitz of Oronoco, MN, Tami (Jeff) Banick of Pine Island, MN, Shelli (Don) Tradup of Elgin, MN, Jon (Tami) DeWitz of Zumbro Falls, MN and Drew (Dana) DeWitz of Rochester, MN; twelve grandchildren, Jacob (Ashley) Utley, Bo (Amy) DeWitz, Kaitlyn (Brandon) Monson, Chaz DeWitz, Tyler Banick, Alex DeWitz, Quinn (Serena) Tradup, Emi Banick, Justin DeWitz, Dylan Tradup, Lake (Megan Fiancé) DeWitz and Ty DeWitz; ten great grandchildren, Grace, Bella, Olivia, Luke, Riely, Lilly, Piper, Archer, Brooks and Charlee; and two sisters, LaVonne Gaskill of Plainview, MN, Arva Jean Sackett of Rochester, MN; brother, Harold DeWitz of Rochester, MN and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dianne; brother Archie; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Beverly DeWitz; sister and brother-in-law, LeEtta and Barney Lorimor; sister-in-law, Myrna DeWitz; brothers-in-law, Gus Gaskill and Bill Sackett.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Cascade Creek Memory Care as well as Season's Hospice House for the care that Art received in his final days with us.
A Celebration of Life Reception will be held 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday, December 3, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. A private family interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona, MN at a later date.
Memorials are preferred to Season's Hospice House.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the DeWitz family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"My condolences to the family. Mr. DeWitz made a shy new student at Pinewood, feel a little less out of place in a building full of strangers. His whistle and his smile made a lasting impression?. Still clear 40+ years later. He was a great one! Peace to you all-"
"Dear family of mine. My heart is so sad for yet another loss of the family I love so very much. So many, many memories. Every weekend coming to Rochester, Woman Lake, Canada... The classic whistle, the hugs! He'll never be forgotten. We shared so many memories, I will cherish for always. Forever lives live on, through all of us and their lives carry on in heaven. Soon your pain and tears will turn into smiles for all the memories you've shared and will cherish. Blessings dear family. I love each and everyone of you. ??"
" Mr Dewitz was my first and favorite principal at Pinewood. He made a lasting impact for the good on many young lives. My condolences to the family."
"Dear Scott, Tami, Shelli, Jon & Drew and your families...What Marty shared says it all. Art became a brother-in-law to me back in 1961. We all had some great times together with a great family. There wasn't a dull moment when Art was around. He was a good hearted person and we will miss him. I pray that he is at peace and with Dianne and family in heaven. May God give all of you His great love and comfort you as you grieve your loss. May you smile each day with the memories you made with him. I love all of you!"
"Scott, Tami, Shelli, Jon, Drew, and your families? My family and I got to spend a lot of time together when times were much simpler and the memories of those times together remain vivid to this day. I am grateful for those experiences and the time we shared on the river, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, bailing hay at the farm, cutting calfs at the farm, polish cannon designs, and the trips to Woman Lake and the adventure we had in Canada that one year., lots of good times! Anyway, please know I am thinking of you all and love you all. Take care and may God bless my Uncle Art and all of you? "