Elmer A. Witkofski, 81, passed away, in Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints, on Sunday, October 9, 2011. He was born in Racine on March 11, 1930 the son of the late John Peter and Matilda Mary (nee: Stepanski) Witkofski.
Elmer was always a hard worker. As a young boy he would collect coal along he railroad tracks to heat the family home. His brother Ambrose “Buddy” was killed in Saipan during WWII; and his father died in 1948 at the age of 49. At age 14 Elmer worked 3 jobs to earn money to help his mother and family.
Elmer was working at Reisner’s when het met the love of his life Audrey. Her car broke down and he was sent to help her. Elmer served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. While on leave, on September 1, 1951, in Trinity Lutheran Church, he was united in marriage to the former Audrey Lepow. Audrey lost her battle with cancer on December 6, 1993.
On April 15, 1959 Elmer and Audrey opened Elmer’s Pugh. Later their son Gary joined the firm and the name was changed to Elmer and Son. On March 28, 2009 the station was closed after serving their customers for nearly 50 years.
He was a member of the Wisconsin Allegro Motor Home Club and traveled with them once a month. He and Audrey enjoyed following NASCAR and would travel the country going to races. He will be remembered as a hard worker with beautiful blue eyes and a quick smile.
Surviving are his children, Cathy (Tom Bain) Klaus, Gary (Cheryl) Witkofski, and Debra (Steve) Bohl; grandchildren; Sarah, Mathew (Amy), and Robert Klaus, Dennis (Amy), and Michael Alan Etchison, Michael John (April), and Daniel Witkofski, and Andy Bohl; great grandchildren, Will, Lucas, Charlie Klaus, Michael Herbert Witkofski, and Emily Etchison; 3 sisters, Elaine Oremovich, Carol (Gene) Heck, and Marilyn (Don) Stephens; sisters-in-law, Marion Witkofski, and Shirley Lepow, and brother-in-law Fritzi (Judy) Lepow. His nieces, nephews, other relatives, customers and friends further survive him. In addition to his beloved Audrey, and his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law William Klaus; sisters, Dorothy (Harry) Kastler, Lorraine Witkofski, LaVerne Beegle, Ruth Schonert, and Nancy Isen; and brothers, Ambrose “Buddy” Witkofski and Ken Witkofski.
Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Friday, October14th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A private burial service, with full military honors, will be held on Saturday, at West Lawn Memorial Park. The family has suggested memorials to the American Heart Association.
The family would like to thank the Racine Fire Department paramedics and the staff of WFH-All Saints Emergency Room. A big “thank you” to the customers and friends who traded with him during his years in business.
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