Obituary: Shorty Woitte

Memorial Service

Funeral services will take place on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

Midland School Gym
Midland, South Dakota

Interment

Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

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In memory of

Shorty Woitte

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 94

Kandus “Shorty” Berton Woitte, son of Benjamin and Katherine Woitte, was born on August 31, 1925, in Milbank, South Dakota, joining one sister, Nina Bork, and two brothers, Arlen and Willard. The Woitte family lived on a farm 5 miles south and 2 miles east of Milbank, South Dakota, where his parents raised purebred Berkshire hogs.

He attended grade school in Milbank, and in 1939, he started high school there. In 1942 the high school burned down, and he went to school at different locations until 1943, when he graduated.

Shorty joined the Navy in June of 1944 and was sworn in at Omaha, Nebraska. He was sent to Seattle, Washington, and then to Farragut, Idaho to Camp Ward for his training. He served in the Navy on the USS Lauderdale until February of 1946 when he returned to Milbank, South Dakota. He did odd jobs around the area until he joined a haying crew. He came to Midland in the winter of 1946 and met his future wife, Annetta “Mickey” Martin. On February 25, 1948, they were united in marriage in Kadoka, South Dakota. They lived for a short time in Milbank and Huron before permanently settling in Midland, where they welcomed eight children into their home.

In 1948, Shorty began working at the Oscar Merkle Service Station as a mechanic. As a side job, he sold television sets and installed television antennas all over the territory. He worked for Oscar until 1965 when he purchased Dave Hemmingson’s Texaco Station in Midland and went into business for himself. He and Mickey owned and operated the station until July of 1978. Shorty then went to work at the Midland School as the custodian and bus driver for Midland Independent School until 1990, when he retired.

Shorty served his community in a variety of ways. He was the Fire Chief in Midland for 14 years, served one three-year term as Badlands Fire District Director, two terms as the Badlands Fire District President, and was also a Charter member. For his service, he was installed in the South Dakota Fire Service Hall of Fame and in the Fire District Hall of Fame. Shorty also served two terms on the Midland Independent School Board and was president when the district reorganized and built the new auditorium. Additionally, he ran the basketball clock for 50 years for the school district.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 143, a member of the Midland Museum Board, President of the Senior Citizens center, and served on the Haakon County Planning Commission. He volunteered as an usher at Open Bible Church. Additionally, he served as President of the Cemetery Board and President of the Museum Board. In his spare time, he loved to hunt, fish, and work in his garden. Shorty was a serious pinochle card player and taught all of his children the game. Family gatherings revolved around seeing who could beat him and his assigned partner.

Grateful for having shared his life are his eight children: Kandace Nelsen of Sioux Falls; Rex Woitte (Linda) of Rapid City; Budd Woitte (Sue) of Ridgecrest, California; Robin Opitz (Josef) of Midland; Joseph Woitte (Bobbi) of Midland; Leslee Meek (Terry) of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Kristin Woitte (Joyce) of Vancouver, Washington; Eric Woitte (Gala) of Tea; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

Shorty was preceded in death by his beloved wife Annetta “Mickey” (Martin) Woitte on May 26, 2017; his parents; and his grandson, Anthony Woitte.

A memorial is established to the Midland Fire Department and EMS. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 127, Midland, SD 57552.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 28, at the Midland School Gym in Midland.

Private family interment with military honors will be held at the Midland Cemetery.

Open the Memorial Folder

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Friday, August 28, 2020 - 11 a.m.
Midland School Gym
Midland, South Dakota

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
WITH MILITARY HONORS
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

May the Lord hold you all close in his hands as you travel the road of grief. Prayers.
~ Mary Schofield Midland (8/27/2020)
l never forget his smile and the way it could brighten my day!
~ Former KNH CNA Kamra Kissinger Nebraska (8/27/2020)
I am sorry to hear that Midland lase another great person. I really enjoyed working for him when I was in High School. My prayers to tha family and friends. ~ Brent L. Saucerman Lawton, Ok (4/29/2020)
Our prayers are with you, Joe & Bobbi! ~ Gene & Alma Crosbie New Underwood, SD (4/14/2020)
Dear Rex and the whole Woitte Family: I'm so sorry to hear of Shorty's passing. I, too, have many great memories of Shorty and also your family during my school years in Midland. May you have many "remember whens" as you visit with family and friends during this difficult time. I pray that God will comfort your hearts, as only He can. Sincerely in Christ, Beryl (Addison) Geer ~ Beryl (Addison) Geer Gillette, WY (4/14/2020)
Joe and Bobbi, So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Hold the memories close. ~ Glenn and Rita OConnell Philip (4/14/2020)
To all of Shorty's family, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Shorty was a special person who I enjoyed working and visiting with so much. His commitment to family and community was outstanding. I have so many fond memories of our visits, playing cards and school activities. I hope your hearts will be warmed every time you think of your very special parents and the life they shared with you. ~ Marcia Jackson Spearfish, SD (4/13/2020)
Shorty was an amazing man who touched so many while working at MHS. He was our awesome bus driver and the memories I have of basketball trips, track meets and tumbling trips will live on whenever groups of us get together and reminisce our Midland School days. He was our scoreboard operator for basketball home games, our bookkeeper for traveling games. He kept our school ship shape. I spent two summers helping him prepare the floors, paint the walls and move numerous desks, tables and chairs. He was a second dad to me, letting me tag along with Kris and Eric. Oh the memories I cherish. RIP Shorty. ~ Lisa Jones Foley Wagner, SD (4/13/2020)
Uncle Kandus (aka Shorty) you were always sunshine and jokes whenever I saw you. RIP with your beloved Mickey. ~ Marilyn Woitte Ramey Fairfax VA (4/11/2020)
Rex and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hang on to the great memories as they become lifelong treasures. Take Care. ~ Bob & Roxie Thielen Pierre, SD (4/11/2020)
Joe, my condolences to you and your family. ~ Lori (Stangle) Kelly Philip (4/11/2020)
So sorry to hear about Shorty. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. ~ Karen Hanson Rapid City SD (4/10/2020)
My prayers and sympathy go out all of the family. Shorty was a great mentor, friend and fishing partner. He as one of the charter members of our little BASS club and my partner from start to finish. I couldn't have asked for a better one. I'm sure right now he is having one of "mama's" cookies and trying to sneak in a fishing trip. RIP my friend. ~ Tom Parquet Midland (4/10/2020)
My sincere condolences to Shorty's family. Many fond memories run through my mind. Shorty always had a smile and a kind word. He will truly be missed. ~ Glenda Nemec Bristol, SD (4/10/2020)
When Dad moved us to Midland, Shorty and my dad worked for Oscar Merkle. He always had a smile, and such a teaser!! The memories from then just kept piling up. Shorty later became friends of my kids, as bus driver, janitor, and all around respected friend. This man touched so many lives in his lifetime. Oh how fun it would be to sit with his family and friends and swap memories.Shorty and Micky might even be visiting with my folks and swapping fish stories.
He may be gone, but his memories will be in our hearts forever. RIP dear friend. ~ Ann Cvach Midland (4/10/2020)
Let me know when are the services I will will be home for them ~ Gordon Hunt Nevada (4/10/2020)
Always a treat to work with or visit with Shorty. So very saddened to read of his passing. But what memories he created for so many! ~ Nancy Green Valley AZ (4/10/2020)
Sorry to hear about your Dad. ~ Larry Swift Philip, SD (4/9/2020)