Harold (Harry) Clem Witte

June 1, 1934 - October 9, 2021

Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel 351 Monroe St., P.O. Box 222, Troy, MO 63379 Phone 636-528-8221 41 Farm Lane Hawk Point, MO 63349 Phone (636) 338-4375 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax 636-528-4799 Harold (Harry) Clem Witte, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 9, 2021. He was surrounded by his family and wife of 60 years. Harry was born on June 1, 1934, on the family farm in Ethlyn, Missouri. He was the fourth of six children of Clem and Agnes (Reller) Witte. He graduated from Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri in 1952, attended the University of Missouri, and served in the Army from 1957-1959. He married Nora Belle (Mudd) Witte, of Olney, Missouri, on September 23, 1961, and together, they had six children. Harry was instrumental in the development of the family business, Witte Bros. Exchange, Inc., along with his brother Jim, who passed in 1989. Together, with their brother Joe, ran one of the largest cattle operations in the Midwest during the 1960’s and 1970’s. They bought, sold, fed, and raised thousands of cattle in multiple locations and states during this time. In 1980, his brother Jim and himself sold 95% of the cattle operations to focus on interstate trucking. They operated the business until 1989 when Jim passed away from cancer. Harry became the sole owner of the companies and continued to operate and grow with the help of a dedicated staff. His legacy continues today as the companies continue to flourish and are being managed and operated by his children. Harry was a member of many organizations, a Paul Harris Saphire Fellow of the Rotarian International Club, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and served on the boards of Missouri Motor Carriers Association, Truckload Carriers Association, and Lincoln County Development Authority. Harry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nora, his children Nicole (Witte) and Jim Watry of Arlington, TX, Lila (Witte) and Steve Renfro of Lake St. Louis, MO, Brent and Elaine Witte of Troy, Janel (Witte) and Vaughn McDowell of Troy, and Chad and Greta Witte of Troy; sister June (Witte) Anderson of Moscow Mills, MO; sixteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Charles Witte, brothers Jim, Martin, and Joe, and sister Leona. Family and friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021, at KEMPER-KEIM Family Funeral Chapel located at 351 Monroe Street Troy, MO 63379. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 100 Thompson Drive Troy, MO 63379. Officiating the mass will be Father Mike Lydon. Internment will be held at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Troy, Missouri. Followed by a luncheon celebration and remembrance at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Troy from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in care of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel P.O. Box 222 Troy, MO 63379. Arrangements are under the direction of Kemper-Keim Family Funeral Chapel; 351 Monroe Street, Troy, Missouri 63379. Online condolences may be made at www.kemperkeimfamilyfuneralchapel.com Phone 636-528-8221