Jeffrey Russel Wittler was born on September 4, 1987 in Round Rock, Texas to Beverly Jean Sauer Wittler and Vernon William Wittler.
Jeff passed away on October 9, 2010 at twenty-three years of age. At the time he was in the Clinical Care Unit in Ft. Madison, Iowa.
Jeff was a kind, caring, loving, sensitive young man. He loved his pets - ToTo (who we know he has already met in Heaven) and his cat, Persia Blue.
Jeff had a special bond with his Grandpa Elmer Wittler. His grandpa taught him much about life on the farm, and this is where he had many special kittens and cats. He also had a special bond with his Grandma Gladys Sauer, whom he called on a regular basis, never forgetting her in his day to day life. He loved each aunt and uncle and each of his cousins. Most of all he loved his mom and dad who were his rocks of support throughout his life, and he loved his God in Heaven.
Jeff's interests were his passion for flying (he took lessons right up until solo time) and had been enrolled in the aviation program at Iowa Lakes Community College; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing x-box and computer games. He enjoyed many good times with his childhood and current best friend, Kyle Oskvig. They loved "deep" thinking, reading and discussing philosophy, along with ice and roller hockey, and staring up at the stars trying to figure out the galaxies and star systems.
Jeff was active in sports until the 10th grade. He was an excellent football player and could run like the wind in track. He played baseball up until high school. He attended all of his schooling in the Okoboji School System, graduating with a diploma in 2007.
In his last couple of years he had religiously studied his Bible, having read it in it's entirety at least twice, looking to God for guidance with his illness. We know that he has gone on to be with his God and suffers no more with that great Glory.
Jeff is survived by his mom and dad, Beverly and Vernon Wittler of Spirit Lake. He is also survived by his Grandma Gladys Sauer of Spirit Lake. He is survived by the following aunts, uncles and cousins: Uncle Larry and Christie Sauer and their children, Jesse Sauer and Matt and Mindi Sauer; Jesse's children, Leah and Justice; and Matt and Mindi's children, Kaden and Kenna, all of Ankeny, Iowa; Aunt Bonnie and Tim Knight and their children, Kayla and Joe of Spencer; Uncle Dale and Gloria Wittler and their children, Mike Wittler and Kristina Wittler Leggett and Christopher Leggett and their child, Reece Leggett, all of Washington D.C. and Virginia; Uncle Larry Wittler and his wife, Bev, of Salem, Oregon. He is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.
Jeff was preceded in death by grandparents, Russel Sauer and Elmer and Bernice Wittler and his uncle, Roger Wittler.