James J. Wittrock

Due to the pandemic, private family graveside services will be held at Nishnabotna Cemetery, Manilla, Iowa. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

James John, son of George and Bernadine (Eischeid) Wittrock, was born November 12, 1938, at home in Carroll County, Iowa. He grew up near Templeton and Manning, attending school at Eden Township and Sacred Heart School in Templeton, completing the eighth grade.

Jim was a lifelong farmer and drove truck as an owner/operator hauling grain and livestock to various towns and cities. He also did trucking jobs for Dedham Co-op, Pioneer and many farmers. In 1976, Jim retired from farming and continued to haul grain until 1987. He also served with the Army National Guard and Reserves from 1956 - 1963. While married to Myra Meeves, the couple had seven children.

In May of 1984, Jim was united in marriage with Joan Mesenbrink in Nashua, Iowa. Together, the couple managed Motel 6 locations in New Mexico, Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Jim was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding motorcycle, tending his large garden in Manilla, walking his best buddy Hooch (his dog) in his later years and most recently enjoying his friendly pussy cat, Otis.

On Sunday, November 8, 2020, Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 81. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joan Wittrock; son Mark Wittrock; siblings: Florian Wittrock; Marion Joens and Janet Pevey; step-daughter Renee Binder; parents in law Francis and Vera Mesenbrink.

Jim is survived by his six children: Rick Wittrock of Manning; Tom Wittrock of Manning (Sherri Wagler); Susan Kusel of Thornton, CO; Dave Wittrock (Stacie) of Overland Park, KS; John Wittrock (Darla Neumann) of Manning; and Sandy Klocke (Kris) of Des Moines; daughter-in-law Karen Wittrock of Kansas; numerous grand, great-grand, step grand, and step great-grandchildren; sister Agnes Jules of Grand Junction, CO along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.