Mark Arnold Witt, age 83, passed away at home Saturday, July 1, 2023. Mark was born on April 4, 1940, to Arthur D. and Marion J. (Mason) Witt, at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. Growing up with his siblings Rachel and Mason on their farms, first on South Ridge, and then in Looney Valley, Mark graduated from Houston High School. On December 4, 1958, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Chapel at the Money Creek United Methodist Church and they enjoyed 64 and a half years together.
Mark was immensely proud of tending to Deerfield Farms of Looney Valley for over 60 years, where he and Kathryn built and made their home. He was a proud dairy farmer, but loved planting and harvesting the most. Mark enjoyed his collection of John Deere tractors and toys, participating and watching tractor pulls. He was a founding member of the group responsible for the Houston Hoedown tractor pull which continues to be a Hoedown staple to this day. In 2015, he retired from school bus driving for the Houston School District after 40-plus years. Mark was a proud member of the Silvercreek Cemetery Association and of overseeing its care. But the most important job and title he held was being known as Dad or Grandpa. Mark loved his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all his bonus kids and grandkids more than anything.
Mark is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Kathryn Witt; children Diane (Russ) Hummel, Kenneth (Latisha) Witt, Allen (Emily) Witt, and Riquell Witt; grandchildren Steven (Ellen), Sarah (Kevin), John (Wynn), Bridget, Nayna, Arah, Tilden, Brenden, Emerson, Stella, Vada and Samantha; great-grandchildren Rebeca, Aydin, Jo Jo, Alex, Patty, Abri, Sonya, Luna, Junior, Aubree and Case; sister Rachel Ukkestad, special extended family: Douglas Tomas, Kenneth and Morgan Meyer and their children Ashtyn, Jorja, Memphis, and Bennett; as well as other extended family and close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Marion, son Daniel Witt, two brothers, Mason and Arnold Witt; brother-in-law Glenn Ukkestad, and honorary son Jason Mark.
Funeral services for Mark will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 7 at the Ridgeway United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 at the Hoff Funeral Home of Houston as well as one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at church, from 10-11 a.m. Following the funeral service, friends and family are invited to the Hoedown Festgrounds to join in fellowship and celebration of his life. Interment will be at a later date held at the Silver Creek Cemetery in Looney Valley which Mark maintained and tended to for many years. www.hofffuneral.com.
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