Ralph H. Witte

Witte, Ralph H., 77, retired regional manager for Gates Rubber Company, died Thursday, November 2, 2006. Visitation with family, 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, November 5, Downing Lahey West. Service, 11:00 A.M., Monday, November 6, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Graveside Service, 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 7, Great Bend Cemetery. Viewing times will be from 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M., Saturday, and 1:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M., Sunday. Ralph was born April 24, 1929 in Great Bend, Kansas to parents Edward D. and Ida (Nordman) Witte. After high school, he served four years in the Navy. After leaving the Navy, he attended K-State and graduated in 1960. During this time, he met Roberta McCarty, also of Great Bend, and they married on June 7, 1958. In 1968, daughter Laura Ann came into their lives. Ralphs favorite hobby was antique cars. He fully restored a 1934 4-door Model A sedan and a 1967 Mustang convertible. “Ralphie” was a longtime member of the antique auto club the “Wichita As” and more recently the Midian Shrine Antique Autos. He was also an active and involved member of his church. Ralph will be forever loved by Roberta, his wife of 48 years, as well as daughter, Laura, and son-in-law, Robert “Nate” Lund. His pride and joy were his three grandchildren, Mallorie, 4, Mackenzie, 7, and Jared, 15. Other survivors include his brothers and sisters-in-law, Elmer and Dominica of Garden Grove, CA, Ed and Joyce of Houston, TX; his nieces, nephews and other extended family. A memorial has been established with Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1101 N. River Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203. Visitation with family, 4:00-6:00 P.M., Sunday, November 5, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Viewing times, 10:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M., Saturday; 1:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. Sunday.