Thomas Wittrock

Thomas Matthew Wittrock, 78, of rural Bagley, Iowa passed away unexpectedly Sunday, December 17, 2017.

Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 28 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids with Fr. John Gerald as Celebrant assisted by Deacons, Louis Meiners and Walter Lauderdale. Concelebrant was Fr. Dan Wittrock. Lectors for the Mass were Ed Lauderdale and Marybeth Lauderdale. Music was by the Annunciation Choir with Diane Slater as organist. Gift bearers were Cindy Demers, Traci Karaffa and Marci Rios. Mass servers were Easton and Parker Hays. The State Council and Carroll Council of the Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard at the Mass. Casket bearers were Tom’s six grandchildren and spouses. Burial was in the Scranton Township Cemetery with military honors conducted by the US Navy.   

Born January 29, 1939 in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Tom was the son of Matthew and Rita (Ludwig) Wittrock. Tom grew up on his family’s farm northwest of Milford and graduated from Milford High School in 1958. In 1959 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years stationed in San Diego. Tom served on the USS Noble and was deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon his honorable discharge, Tom remained in California and attended Pasadena City College where he earned a business degree. Tom married Delphine Krakowka on August 13, 1966 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pilger, Saskatchewan, Canada. The couple lived in Pasadena where their children were born. The family moved to Spencer, Iowa in 1974. In 1979, they relocated to rural Bagley, Iowa. Tom owned and operated T.M. Wittrock Management Consultant in Scranton and also farmed south of Ralston.

While in California, Tom joined the 3rd and 4th degrees of the Knights of Columbus. He held many offices in the Iowa K of C, culminating as State Deputy from 1986-1988 and continued his involvement as a Past State Deputy. Tom was a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Carroll Council. Tom served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Special Olympics and on the Advisory Board for Best Buddies Iowa. Tom was a generous person who quietly gave to others and never expected anything in return. He was loyal, dependable and honest. Even though he may have appeared to be quiet, he had a wicked sense of humor that his family always appreciated and enjoyed. He was an avid Notre Dame, Green Bay Packers and Outlaw Racing fan. Family was most important to Tom and he cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. He was affectionately known as “The Polka King” by his family.

Tom is survived by his wife of 51 years, Delphine; a son, Mark Wittrock (Antoinette) of Richland, Iowa; a daughter, Heidi Bellon (Jay) of Corydon, Iowa; six grandchildren: Graham Wittrock (Erin) of Richland, Emily Bingham (Brandon) of Corydon, Christian Wittrock (Allyson Wertz) currently serving in the US Navy in Dahlgren, Va., Isaiah Wittrock of Richland, Matthew Bellon of Corydon and Sophie Wittrock of Richland; four brothers: Roger Wittrock (Deb) of Milford, Iowa, Jerry Wittrock (Geri) of Urbana, Mo., Ron Wittrock (Julie) of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Mike Wittrock (Becky) of Spirit Lake, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Sylvia Lauderdale of Arcadia, Calif. and Yvonne Doell (Arnie) of Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada; and numerous extended family and friends. He was a dad and a Papa to many.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Rita Wittrock; his mother and father-in-law, Alphonse and Sophie Krakowka; a sister-in-law, Dixie Wittrock and a brother-in-law, Bob Lauderdale.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for Tom’s family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.