Irene Cecelia Witte

June 16, 1933 - January 9, 2021

Irene Cecelia Witte passed away into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on January 9, 2021 at the age of 87. Irene was born to the late Emil M. and Clara D. George (Wiench) on June 16, 1933 in Arcadia, Wisconsin. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 22 years, Frank Joseph Witte. Irene will be lovingly remembered by her son Frank J. (Lucinda) Witte and daughter Debra A. (Ken Russell); grandchildren: Jeremy and Austin (Virginia) French, Summer Frei (Joe), Frank H. Stranathan, Frank J. Witte, Alexandra Witte and Jacob and Sarah Russell; sisters Lorraine and Diane George; and numerous friends, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Irene was a farm girl at heart! She was raised on a small family farm in Blair, Wisconsin through middle school and later moved with her family and seven siblings to a larger working farm in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Even though it was the depression and the family did not have many material things, she shared many stories of the fun and adventures she had with her brothers and sisters. She loved playing with the animals and getting into mischief with her siblings. Irene attended Arcadia High School and after graduation in 1951 she moved to Milwaukee where she attended school to obtain her cosmetology license. Irene was a practicing beautician in Milwaukee for several years before she and her best friend Lois heard the call of the West and moved to San Francisco, California together. Irene embraced her new life in the big city; while she worked hard during the day as a bookkeeper, she and Lois embraced the fashions of the 1950’s and loved to dance the night away in the famous clubs of San Francisco. It was in San Francisco where Irene met Frank Witte, the man that would become her husband. Irene and Frank were drawn to each other as a result of their shared midwestern values. After they were married, Frank and Irene settled in Rancho Cordova, California where they raised and nurtured their family. Irene was primarily a homemaker, but she did work outside the home in bookkeeping and retail when her children were older. Irene lived in one home on Walnutwood Way during her fifty-eight years in Rancho Cordova. It was there that she made a loving and supportive group of life-long friends she cherished as sisters. They raised their families together in their younger years and had coffee together daily until the end. Irene enjoyed many hobbies including painting and gardening. Irene also enjoyed traveling and took several trips to Hawaii, multiple cruises, several trips to Europe, and a trip to China. While these exotic and worldly trips always exceeded Irene’s expectations, the trips she longed-for the most were her pilgrimages back to Wisconsin to visit her siblings and the place she always considered home. Irene will be remembered for her self-less devotion to her family and friends, out-going spirit, loving heart and lest anyone here would question it, her LOVE of Christmas!