In Memory of Velma Iris Witt

Velma “Iris” Witt, age 93, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the Willow Dale Wellness Village of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. Rev. Jim Krapf will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa.   

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove & Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Velma Iris Witt, the ninth child born to Verne E. and Ethel (Wait) Lochner, was born on March 1, 1929, in the Hartley Memorial Hospital of Battle Creek, Iowa. In the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, where Iris was a lifelong member, she was baptized and confirmed in her faith.  Iris passed away at Willowdale Wellness Village on April 21, 2022 at the age of 93.

She grew up in Battle Creek where she attended country school and graduated from Battle Creek High School with the class of 1947. Iris went on to further her education at Cornell College and later at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, now known as UNI; where she obtained her teaching certificate. 

On June 4, 1950, Iris was united in marriage to Wilfred James “Jim” Witt, in the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. Iris taught in Galva, Iowa, for one year before retiring to raise her family.

When the couple’s three children Marylin, Lorraine, and Larry were off to school, Iris began working at the Ida County State Bank now known as the United Bank of Iowa. Iris worked in the Trust Department at the bank for 24 years before retiring to spend time with her loving husband Jim; who at the time was fighting cancer. Jim lost his courageous fight with cancer in 1986.

A few years after Jim’s passing, Iris did a lot of traveling with friends both overseas and in the US. Some of her most memorable trips were to several countries in Europe, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Hawaii, and Alaska.  Iris treasured spending time with family and friends, along with receiving phone calls and visits from her extended family.

Iris was a faithful Christian and member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek where she served as an Elder, Deacon, volunteer Treasurer as well as on various other committees. One of her proudest moments was receiving an Honorary Life Membership pin and certificate, which honored her as a life member of the Presbyterian Women USA. She was also a member of the Battle Creek Women’s Club, Battle Creek Alumni Board, Battle Creek Medical Auxiliary, and the Ladies American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing cards, gardening, sewing, and canning.  

Survivors include her children: Marylin (Kenneth) Kuyper of Dakota City, IA, Lorraine (Bob Saunders) Davis of Ida Grove, IA , and Larry (Lucy) Witt of Gibbon, NE; eight grandchildren: Jessie (Luke) Kerns of Harrisonburg, VA, Kenny (Kenzie Ross) Kuyper of Iowa City, IA, Kessa Kuyper of Dakota City, IA, JR Davis of Ute, IA, Aaron (Sarah) Davis of Altoona, IA, Clayton (Jennie Albright) Davis of Ames, IA, Bianca Witt of Lincoln, NE, and James Witt of Lincoln, NE; great grandchildren Edison and Jamison Davis; along with extended family and friends.

Iris was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim Witt; her parents Verne and Ethel Lochner; siblings: Glenn (Catherine) Lochner, Lyle (Fern) Lochner, Volena (Francis) Throw, Vernelle (Carl) Van Houten, Vernita (Claude) Pruett, Eunice (Roger) Parker, Bill (Audrey) Lochner, and Roberta (Bill) McClung; and her in-laws.

Memorials in Iris’ name will be directed to the following Battle Creek organizations:
Presbyterian Women, Women’s Club,
American Legion & American Legion Auxiliary,
Fire Dept. and Mount Hope Cemetery.