Lester Simon Witthaus of Marthasville passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on March 1, 2021, at the age of 96 years.
Lester was born on April 14, 1924, the son of Chris and Elda (Krueger) Witthaus. Lester married his lifetime partner Serena Meyer on June 16, 1951, in Holstein, Missouri and they made their home together on a farm near Holstein and Treloar.
Lester is survived by three children, son Terry Witthaus (Cynthia) of Washington, daughter Angie Wood (Michael) of Hannibal, and daughter Kristi Feld of St. Peters; six grandchildren, Sonja Witthaus, Ansel Witthaus (Amy), Cyrus Witthaus (Amelia), Emily Piette (Matthew), Tyler Wood (Danielle), Sarah Whorton (Chris); one great-grandchild, Christopher Whorton; sisters-in-law Valje Fulton, Emogene Witthaus, and Joan Witthaus; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Elda Witthaus; by all six of his siblings, Pearl Wood, Albert Witthaus, Dorothy Hoeft, Wilbert Witthaus, Wesley Witthaus, and Ruth Haddox; and by his son-in-law Paul Feld.
Lester and Serena operated a successful dairy farm for 35 years, and later a beef cow/calf operation for 23 years, before retiring to Marthasville in 2009. Lester loved animal husbandry and farming and over the years developed a fine dairy herd, awarded for high milk and butterfat production. A child of the Great Depression, he was hard-working, industrious, and thrifty. His children were amazed at his ability to create new and useful things from old worn-out metal and wood. Many of his hired helpers on the farm have remarked of their respect for him as their first employer.
Lester was a member of Immanuels UCC church in Holstein for nearly his entire life, where he served on the church board and enjoyed peeling and stirring at the annual apple butter cook through age 95.
Lester served in the U.S. Army at the conclusion of WWII, where he was stationed in occupied Okinawa.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family thanks Mercy Hospice staff for their compassionate care and advice.
Memorials may be made to the Warrenton Ag Impact at 39358 Pin Oak Church Road, Truxton, Mo 63381 (checks to WISE Foundation), or to Holstein Immanuals UCC Cemetery, 17510 Church St., Marthasville, MO 63357.
