James C. Wittig

James C. Wittig, age 84, died peacefully at home on February 29th, 2020 in the middle of telling a long story about his childhood to his family that he had told 1000 times before. Somehow these stories never seemed to grow old, at least to him.

Jim was a very unique individual with an interesting and colorful past. He moved up to Boulder Junction in 1946 with his parents, Cliff and Ruth Wittig, who were fleeing a life of bootlegging in Chicago. Cliff bought a resort on Fishtrap Lake and the mouth of the Manitowish River in Boulder Junction, now known as Wittig’s Point Resort. As a result, Jim grew up fishing; hunting, canoeing, hiking, camping, swimming, digging ditches, cleaning latrines, bailing boats, dumping fish buckets, raking leaves, building cabins, chipping ice blocks from the lake and getting into trouble; a childhood not uncommon to growing up in the Northwoods. After a stint in the Army, Jim returned to Boulder Junction to manage the resort with his father in 1962. A good decision, as this is where he met his sweetheart of 55 years, Cheri, a darling, wide eyed little red head who frequently vacationed at the resort with her parents. Jim and Cheri married in 1964 and ended up having five miraculously well-adjusted, equally unique children, all Northwoods resort rats as well. Through the years, Jim made many names for himself: an established resort owner, a master carpenter, a knowledgable fishing guide, an “entertaining” bartender, an epic storyteller and quite the character. He made his presence known at town celebrations and events. Over 75 years Jim has been living, loving and playing in Boulder Junction. We will miss him dearly and are very sad to see him go. The Northwoods will not be the same without him.

Jim loved and is survived by his wife Cheri Wittig and his five children: Maria Kelnhofer, Julie Ashley Wittig, Jarett Wittig, Rebecca Whitman and Jason Wittig. Also survived by his six grandchildren: Bryan and Ashley Kelnhofer; Sebastian and Sophia Wittig; Lindsey and Jenna Whitman; countless cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cliff and Ruth Wittig.

A service will be held at St. Annes Catholic Church in Boulder Junction on Tuesday, March 3rd at 11:00am with a very brief visitation at the back of church starting at 10:30am. A “Celebration of Life” event is planned for the end of August to be held at Wittig’s Point Tavern. We will announce the exact time of that event at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to Ascension Home Hospice Care in Woodruff, as Jim volunteered there after his father passed and was lovingly taken care of by many hospice volunteers in his final months at home on Fishtrap Lake.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES OF WOODRUFF, WI IS SERVING THE FAMILY