We want to express our heartfelt sympathies to you Annette, Dan, Jaci, Dave, and Leanne, on the passing of your dear dad. As a child, I loved Uncle Rich and Aunt Ceil for the joy they brought to every family gathering. As an adult, my love for them grew into an incredible admiration for their loving nature towards others and the resilience and strength they displayed throughout life’s challenges. Your parents are an important fabric interwoven into my life and into the lives of all who knew them. I am so happy to have had them in my life. May God grant you all strength and comfort in your sorrows.
I pray that God grant both of your parents a joyful eternal life with Him in the presence of all the Choirs of Angels.
Peace and Love,
Kristi and Dan King
Richard H. "Rich" Witte
July 31, 1946 – January 19, 2026
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Richard H. “Rich” Witte, age 79, of St. Cloud, MN who passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, at his home. Reverend Derek Wiechmann will officiate. Burial, with full military honors, will be held at Assumption Cemetery, St. Cloud, MN.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Rich was born on July 31, 1946, to John and Frances (Streitz) Witte in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the youngest of nine children. He grew up on the family farm in Luxemburg and attended St. Wendelin’s Grade School. After the loss of his father at a young age, Rich worked on the family farm to help support his mother.
In 1965, Rich was drafted into the United States Army and honorably served his country with the 243rd Field Service Company during the Vietnam War. While deployed, he became pen pals with the future love of his life and best friend, Cecilia M. Laudenbach. They were united in marriage on June 27, 1969, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Cloud.
Rich was employed at the Sartell Paper Mill as a Paper Tester and retired after 27 years of dedicated service. He was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, St. Cloud VFW Post 428, and Moose Lodge 1400.
Rich was a loving father and grandfather who treasured time with his family, especially his grandchildren. A true Jack of All Trades, he was always willing to lend a hand and had the ability to build or fix just about anything. He was an engineer and extremely intelligent man with an incredible memory for the things that mattered most to him. He will be remembered for his witty (sometimes inappropriate) sense of humor, his stubborn and resilient nature, and his fierce love for his family. Rich often said, “Without a sense of humor, tough is hard to live.”
Rich is survived by his children, Annette (Brandon) Witte-Nyberg, Dan (Angie) Witte, Jaci (Eric) Finneman, Dave (Mandy) Witte, and Leanne (Josh) Loy; grandchildren, Will, Luke, James, Andrew, Ethan, CeCe, Marissa, Henry, Amelia, and Jayna; siblings, Marian Fischer, Edward (Eileen) Witte, Leona Hibbard, and Ben Witte; sister-in-law, Clara Witte; his many loving in-laws from the Bill and Evelyn Laudenbach family; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Cecilia; siblings, Rita, Raymond, Bernadette, and Theresa Witte; brothers-in-law, Herman Fischer and Jack Hibbard; sister-in-law, Bernie Witte; and many dear family members and friends who have gone before him and now welcome him home.
The family welcomes memorials and stories about Rich.
A special thank you to the St. Cloud Police Department, the Stearns County Veteran’s Service Office, and the St. Cloud VA for their compassionate care of Rich.
Guestbook
I am so sorry for your loss Witte family. He was such a fun and caring man and father. I can still picture him making up funny songs when I’d be over visiting Jaci. And he and your mom had so many laughs teasing each other. May you find comfort in your memories.
I have so many great memories from the time I got to spend with your family. I remember him coming home from work and all of us kids would pile on him on the couch, playing in the back of the brown pick-up and the 8 track tapes. I can still hear his great laugh, the one that would light up the room. My favorite memory is the way he looked at each of you. He loved you all so much. He will be missed.
My condolences to all of you.
Sorry to hear about Richard’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with him when I would catch him outside working in the yard or going out to cut wood. While I was working on the golf course.
Witte Family, Sorry to hear about your Dad. May he rest in peace
Services
Schedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Richard H. “Rich” Witte, age 79, of St. Cloud, MN who passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026, at his home. Reverend Derek Wiechmann will officiate. Burial, with full military honors, will be held at Assumption Cemetery, St. Cloud, MN.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Daniel Funeral Home, St. Cloud, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.