Clement Wittrock

Clement A. Wittrock, “Clem” to his friends, was a quiet man with a big heart. He found great enjoyment in helping others, whether it was snow blowing a driveway, washing a neighbor’s car, or making a home for some of their cast-off “treasures”. Clem was very family oriented and worked hard all his life to be a good provider. In 1918, life in the United States was very different form what it is today. Things such as women having the right to vote, long distance travel and communications, and workplace rights and safety were not realities. For Edward and Augusta (Landwehr) Wittrock, living in Mankato, Minnesota, nestled in the Emerald Green Valley of southern Minnesota, daily concerns were not with voting rights or workplace safety, but with providing a home for themselves and their children. On June 1, 1918, a fifth child, Clement was born. His parents were farmers, and in March of 1925, the family moved to St. Joseph, MN. Clem attended a rural school in the area through the 8th grade, which was not uncommon in those days. In 1933, they moved back to Minnesota, settling in the St. Cloud area. In 1936 Clem and his brother Walter took jobs selling magazines for the Fleegle Brothers. They traveled all over the country and during one stop in Greensboro, South Carolina, the brothers were robbed of all their money. Clem became ill and had to return to St. Cloud in January of 1937. Clem knew the value of hard work, and was not afraid to do any job offered to him. After selling magazines, he went to work for his brother Ray, who managed Skelly’s Gas Station, pumping gas. Next to the gas station was a diner, and in the diner worked a pretty girl named Angie Bozych. The two soon developed an attraction and began dating. Clem moved from Skelly’s to the Shell Gas Station and for several weeks in 1937 worked as a chauffeur for a Mr. Olaf Frick, a wealthy man from Minnesota. 1938 found Clem working at Puff’s Bakery, a job he held for two years. By the time 1939 rolled around, his and Angie’s mutual attraction had turned to love and the two were married on April 18, 1939 in St. John’s Church in Foley, MN. For a while the newly weds lived with Clem’s mother at 612 7th Ave., where daughter KarenKay was born. After living in an apartment for a short time, the new family moved to Kalamazoo, moving through 2 apartments – one on Millview and the other on Portage St. – settling at 627 Phillips. From 1939 to 1940 Clem worked as a truck driver for the Ives Ice Cream Company. 1940 – 1941 saw him employed by National Tea Produce. Clem quit this job in 1941 and went to work at the Bryant Paper Mill - for 42 cents an hour. In 1943 Clem was laid off from the mill and worked a short while for Bowersox Grocery, where Angie also worked. Fortunately, the paper mill called him back to work and in September of 1946 they were able to rent a house for $30 a month. Later, they bought a house at 914 Jackson St. In 1957 they moved once again, to 902 Egleston, where they remained until selling the house in 1984. Clem retired from Bryant Paper in 1972. After retiring, Clem went to work for Bouwen’s Furniture, fixing and delivering furniture with his friend Bob Bouwen. For two 75 years olds who loved to tinker, this was the best job. The two friends did great work and were proud of the work they did. And speaking of tinkering, Clem had a passion for cars. His cars were always shining – engine and all. Unfortunately, his clean cars could not fit into his garage, for Clem was a great collector – of EVERYTHING! While driving around, if he saw something “good” and it would fit in the trunk of his car – in it went. Some of his treasures included hubcaps and tennis balls. He always answered when questioned, “You never know when you might need it”. And if family or neighbors happened to be throwing things away, Clem was the first to ask, “What are you going to do with that? It’s still good”. His one car garage was so full with his treasures that you could hardly walk inside. Clem’s car had to be content under the carport that he built. Driving was another passion for Clem. Although he had traveled to the west coast a few times to see family, he preferred to stay close to home. He always wanted to “go somewhere” and would often call to his grandchildren, “Let’s go out and pass trucks”. He also tried to instill good driving habits in his children. When daughter KarenKay was 16, she was involved in an accident. Going to her father for help, he promptly turned her in to the authorities. It was an important lesson learned – take responsibility for your actions. About 4-5 years ago, Clem began showing the first signs of Alzheimers and was told by his doctor that he could no longer drive. This was very difficult for a man who lived being behind the wheel. Clement A. Wittrock died peacefully on Thursday, March 4, 2004 with his family at his side. Clem was preceded in death by his brothers and sister: Cyril “Cye”, Ray, Louis, Wally, Norbert “Bud”, Marie, and Floyd “Doc”. His family includes his wife, Angie (Bozych) Wittrock; two daughters: KarenKay (Robert) Boss of Vicksburg, Nancy Ann (Jon) Johnson of Sidney, IA; 11 grandchildren: Mike (Lori) Pryson of Jackson, MI, Tim (Rosemarie) Pryson of Novi, MI Greg (Lisa) Johnson of Omaha, NE, Doug (Kristen) Johnson of Council Bluff, IA, Jeff (Laura) Johnson of Portage, Brad (Kandra) Johnson of Sidney, IA, Andy Johnson of Sioux City, IA, Pam Johnson of Portland, OR, Peter Johnson of Sidney, IA; 2 step grandsons: Chris (Cindy) Boss of Fort Worth, TX, Jeff (Lori) Boss of Rockford, MI,; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister Lucille “Dolly” Herrington of Salem, OR and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may spend time with the family on Sunday from 6:00-8:00 PM at the BETZLER LIFE STORY FUNERAL HOMES, Kalamazoo where a scripture service will be held at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 10:30 AM at St. Augustine Cathedral. Interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Luncheon will follow the burial at the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center. To read Clem’s complete life story, share a memory, or make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or St. Augustine Cathedral please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.