Monte J. Witkowski

Monte J. Witkowski, 65, of LaGrange, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at his home.

Monte was born on July 17, 1954 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Joseph and Marie (Pawelek) Witkowski. He grew up in the Milwaukee area and graduated from Greenfield High School. Monte married Carole Terrien on March 10, 1984 at St. Florian Parish in West Milwaukee. After a few years of marriage, Monte and Carole moved to LaGrange, Wisconsin and would spend their life together there. Monte loved living in LaGrange and was proud of that little township. He knew everybody in the area and everybody knew him. Monte was a hard worker. He worked for Harnischfeger Industries for 42 years in a number of different capacities. He was known to some as “Mr. Harnischfeger”. Monte served as a firefighter/EMT for the Greenfield Fire and Rescue for a number of years.  He also worked as a bus driver for Hank’s Transportation in Mukwonago, and is still remembered by many of the kids (now adults) that he drove in those days.

Monte had many interests during his life. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and to trap. He was so skilled at trapping that he earned the nickname, Muskrat. His nieces still call him Uncle Muskrat.  Monte loved to watch racing, especially Sprint Car racing. He traveled to quite a few tracks around the country with a group of his friends to attend races. He always made sure to bring a t-shirt home from the race track to add to his collection. In his later years, he gardened,  kept bees and maintained relationships with people far and wide. He was a friend to everybody he met. Monte’s loving family also remembers his soft spot for dogs and for elderly people. He was a big man with a big heart. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Monte is survived by: his loving wife of 35 years, Carole Witkowski; his five sisters, Pat, Vicky, Judy, Betty and Sandy. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He shared his last day with his buddy Andy having fun and being a kid again.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Bob.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy may consider a memorial donation in Monte’s honor to Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire and Rescue, The Lakeland Animal Welfare Society, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Palmyra.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00AM on Friday, August 9, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra, WI with Fr. Mariadas Bekala presiding. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Gibson Family Funeral Home in Palmyra, WI from 5:00PM till 8:00PM and on Friday at the church from 10:00AM until the time of service. Monte will be laid to rest during a private family service at a later date.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle & Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

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