John C. Witgert

Dr. John C. Witgert "Doc", age 77, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at his home after a battle with ALS. He was born January 16, 1943, in Berlin, Germany, to Hans Peter and Hildegard (Krumeich) Witgert. He grew up in Germany and attended Wartburg College in Iowa for his undergraduate degree. He returned to Germany and attended medical school at the University of Giessen Justus Liebig. From 1972-1974 he was a resident at Saarbrucken Community Hospital and from 1974-77, he completed his residency at Medical Center of Central Georgia at Tulane University. He began his career as an OBGYN at the interstate Medical Center in Red Wing in 1977 until 2002. He then went on to practice at Allina Clinics in Northfield, Cambridge and Mora, retiring in 2007. Doc loved his career and bringing new life into the world and though he retired, he was called to continue his passion at Red Cedar Medical Center/Mayo Clinic in Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he spent 10 more years, until July of 2019.
He was blessed with 20 wonderful years of marriage to his wife, Denice "Denny" Anderson, who he married on April 2, 2000, in Kaanapali, Hawaii. Together they moved throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin for his career, enjoyed time at their home in Arizona and spent many days and sunsets together at his tree farm in Belvidere Mills. His farm was one of his favorite places to be, where he could enjoy his forest, deer hunt and garden. He also loved fishing on the river, reading and his family. Doc was a smart, caring, kind and gentle man who cared for many patients throughout his career, mentored many young physicians and will be remembered and missed by his family and many friends. John was a member of Svea Lutheran Church, Red Wing BPOE #845, NRA, Tree Farm Association and Pheasants Forever.
He is survived by his wife, Denny of Red Wing and two bonus children, Tessa (Sam) Blue of Bay City, WI and Cole Anderson of Red Wing; his 3 daughters, Kathy (Brian Galle) Witgert of Cambridge, MA, Nette (Mark) Pletcher of San Diego, CA and Mariana (Major) Bradshaw of Houston, TX; 3 grandchildren, Alex Oasis Pletcher, Isabella River Blue and George Haaken Blue; 2 sisters in Germany; 1 brother in Switzerland and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private family memorial service will be held and burial at Svea Lutheran Church Cemetery will be at a later date. Memorials are preferred to ALS Foundation. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Online condolence may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com