Daverne Witt

March 12, 1937 - May 14, 2014

Oskaloosa, Iowa Visitation: Open after 11:00 A.M.- Christian Vigil Service at 5:00 P.M. Family present from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. to greet friends and relatives. May 16, 2014 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Funeral Service: 10:00 A.M. May 17, 2014 at Mass of the Christian Burial St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Interment: White Oak Cemetery. Military rites by members of the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard and the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. Harlan Daverne Witt, 77, of Cedar passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born March 12, 1937, in Mahaska County, the son of Harlan L. and L. Louise Wright Witt. He graduated from Cedar High School with the class of 1954. Following high school graduation he entered the United States Marine Corps, and was stationed for eleven months in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1956. Following his discharge he returned to Iowa. He was united in marriage to Marla Young, September 13, 1958, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oskaloosa. In December of 1958, he began taking classes at Truman State University. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from there in 1961. Following college Daverne began working for McGladrey C.P.A. as an accountant. In 1964 he earned his Certified Public Accountant distinction. That same year, the family moved to a farm north of Ottumwa and Daverne farmed with his dad. In 1968, they moved to a farm near Cedar where he continued to farm and prepare taxes in the "off season". Daverne loved farming. He helped his family with the harvest in 2013. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oskaloosa where he was involved in the 3rd degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a life member of the Mahaska County Sheriff Posse, American Institute of C.P.A. and Iowa Society of CPAs. He was also a member of the American Legion. He served as a board member on several boards including: Fremont Funeral Chapel, eleven years on the Eddyville School Board, and Hedrick Savings Bank board of directors for fifteen years. He enjoyed farming and golfing and most of all his family. He is survived by his wife of over 55 years: Marla Witt of Cedar, five sons: Jeffrey (Lynette) Witt of Ames, Douglas (Sue) Witt of Cedar, Ronald (Barb) Witt of New Sharon, Michael Witt (Dawn Scott), of Willmar, Minnesota, Robert Witt (Stevie Nelson) of Fremont. Two daughters: Sherrie (Frank) Stanton of Fremont and Debbie (Calvin) Swank of Newton. nineteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. five sisters: Donna Lappin of Oskaloosa, Linda (Lee) Scharff of Stevensville, Montana, Sandra (Robert) Reed of Suwanee, Georgia, Judy (Larry) Walker of Gilbert, Arizona, and Marcia (Jack) Carman of Burlington; a very close family friend, Henrietta Olson of Denmark; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Daverne was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law: Doug Lappin; and a nephew, Steve Lappin. Memorials may be made in his name to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Oskaloosa, Iowa.