Paul Stanley Witte Jr., 62, Luverne, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, at his home.
A funeral service was Saturday, Oct. 5, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial with full military honors followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Paul Witte Jr. was born on March 10, 1957, to Paul and Sarah (Jones) Witte Sr. in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was raised. He was baptized on Oct. 6, 1957, at the Second Presbyterian Church. He attended school in Memphis and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1975. He furthered his education at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration in 1979. He then entered the United States Navy where he honorably served his country for the next 20 years and 15 days.
On July 29, 1989, Stan was united in marriage to Lori Ask at Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth. The couple made their home in San Diego, California, and in 1999 they moved to Oak Harbor, Washington, on Whidbey Island. In September 2004 Stan was diagnosed with fibrosing mediastantal histoplasmosis, and on June 29, 2005, he retired due to his health. In August 2005 he and Lori moved to Luverne.
Stan was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, where he was active in Men’s Bible Study. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), VFW, VFW Honor Guard and the Lions Club. He was an American history buff and enjoyed war movies, trains, sports, walking, hiking and taking care of his lawn. He loved watching his daughters, Lauren and Meghan, compete at gymnastics and cheering on all the Luverne Cardinal sports. He enjoyed attending his son Paul’s theater experiences. When his older children left for college, he grew to love the U of M Gopher and NDSU football teams, but nothing could take the place of his love for BAMA. He was passionate about his alma mater football.
His children describe him as a man with great perseverance and passion. Even though Stan’s health was a struggle for him later in life, he was always ready and willing to serve others.
Stan is survived by his wife, Lori Witte of Luverne; children Lauren of Nashville, Tennessee, Paul S. III of Fargo, North Dakota, and Meghan of Luverne; siblings Cindy (David) Newman of Memphis, Tennessee, and Barry (Kimberly) Witte of Coral Springs, Florida; parents-in-law Loren (Lucy) Ask of Kenneth; brothers-in-law Les (Rachel) Ask of Luverne and LeRoy (Laura) Ask of Brandon, South Dakota; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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