7/1/1946 - 7/27/2009

Darriel T. Witthuhn, age 63, of North Hudson, passed away on Monday, July 27th at his home.
Darriel Tracy Witthuhn, beloved father, grandfather and husband, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2009 at his home in North Hudson, surrounded by his family, at the age of 63. This comes after a short and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born the son of Herbert and Harriet (Gogert) Witthuhn on July 1, 1946 in Columbus, WI. He graduated from high school there and went on to earn his bachelor's degree, majoring in mathematics and English, from UW Platteville. Darriel proudly served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1972. On October 4, 1975 he married Kathleen M. Cheslak. They would be blessed with three children, Jason, Lisa and Krista. Darriel spent 36 years working for the Social Security Administration. He was committed to his job and his coworkers. He retired as a manager in 2005.Throughout his life, Darriel was passionate about playing baseball and softball. He started playing in his youth with his brother Gary and in his adult life he played on several teams and coached his children, nephews, and grandkids. His team, the Wisconsin Masters, won the 2006 Senior Softball Triple AAA National Championship, the 2007 Senior Softball World Series National Champion, and the 2008 Huntsman World Senior Games World Champions titles. He also liked to play basketball, bowl and golf. On September 21, 1996 Darriel was united in marriage to Susan J. Klein at the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson, WI. His family expanded with the inclusion of her daughters, Cayla and Brenda, and, being surrounded by mostly women, they were frequently referred to as “Darriel and His Harem!” They would all travel frequently throughout the US, and notably, went to Hawaii three times. He was especially handy and liked to do projects himself; he remodeled most of the home he shared with Sue. A true renaissance man, Darriel also had the gift of song. He sang in church choirs and with the Phipps Oratorio Society. As a volunteer, he spent many hours helping at churches he attended, Bethel Lutheran and First Presbyterian of Hudson and St. Croix Valley United Methodist in Afton, as well as helping with the food booth and court of Pepper Fest and driving for Miss Hudson. He was always a family man and put them as his number one priority, especially his children. Whether driving them to various lessons and teaching them to play sports in their youth or helping them fix their homes as adults, they always knew he was there for them. In more recent years, his love and family involvement was shared with his grandsons. Darriel's selflessness and compassion will be missed by all who knew him. In heaven, he joins his parents and cousin, Nancy Kirchberg. Darriel will remain in the hearts of his wife, Sue; son, Jason Jay (April Auckland) of Somerset; daughters: Devyn Lisa (Shawn) Duex of Santa Barbara, CA , Krista (Michael) Loucks of Rochester, MN, Cayla DeWaters (Peter Boetcher) of St. Paul, MN and Brenda DeWaters of Hudson; grandsons, Cole and Greyson Loucks and grandkid on the way, Baby Duex; brother, Gary (Diane)Witthuhn of Milwaukee and their sons, Nicholas and Bryan; mother-in-law, Edith Klein of Boling Brook, IL; former wife, Kate Rolf; extended family and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Darriel at 2:00 PM on Monday, August 3rd at Bethel Lutheran Highlands Church, 504 Frontage Rd, Hudson with Pastor Van Bredeson officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Willow River Cemetery. Visitation from 3 until 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 2nd at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, 715-386-3725.