Arthur Andrew Dewitz

Arthur A. DeWitz, age 86, of Rochester, MN passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, MN. Arthur Andrew DeWitz Jr. was born October 26, 1935 in Elgin, Minnesota the son of Arthur Sr. and Effie (Hunter) DeWitz. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1954 and earned his BS in 1961 and earned his Master's degree in Education from Winona State University in 1969. He completed his student teaching at Golden Hill and served as principal at Pinewood for 21 years, Benjamin Franklin for 5 years and Holmes until his retirement. On February 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Dianne Gappa. They were blessed with five children and raised their family in Rochester. Arthur enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, cutting wood, along with pouring cement with his brother, Bob, and family vacations at Woman Lake. His famous whistle will be forever missed. Arthur is survived by his five children, Scott (Lynn) DeWitz of Oronoco, MN, Tami (Jeff) Banick of Pine Island, MN, Shelli (Don) Tradup of Elgin, MN, Jon (Tami) DeWitz of Zumbro Falls, MN and Drew (Dana) DeWitz of Rochester, MN; twelve grandchildren, Jacob (Ashley) Utley, Bo (Amy) DeWitz, Kaitlyn (Brandon) Monson, Chaz DeWitz, Tyler Banick, Alex DeWitz, Quinn (Serena) Tradup, Emi Banick, Justin DeWitz, Dylan Tradup, Lake (Megan Fiancé) DeWitz and Ty DeWitz; ten great grandchildren, Grace, Bella, Olivia, Luke, Riely, Lilly, Piper, Archer, Brooks and Charlee; and two sisters, LaVonne Gaskill of Plainview, MN, Arva Jean Sackett of Rochester, MN; brother, Harold DeWitz of Rochester, MN and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dianne; brother Archie; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Beverly DeWitz; sister and brother-in-law, LeEtta and Barney Lorimor; sister-in-law, Myrna DeWitz; brothers-in-law, Gus Gaskill and Bill Sackett. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cascade Creek Memory Care as well as Season's Hospice House for the care that Art received in his final days with us. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday, December 3, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Reception Centre, 5482 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. A private family interment will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona, MN at a later date. Memorials are preferred to Season's Hospice House. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the DeWitz family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com