Barbara E. Witte
Barbara Eve Witte (Anschutz), 88, of East Lansing, Michigan, passed away on November 22, 2021. Barb was born on August 27, 1933 to Carl and Clare Anschutz, in Garfield Township, Michigan. She grew up in Crump, Michigan and graduated from Pinconning High School. It was through her classmate, Bernice Witte, that she met Robert, her husband of 65 years.
After a three-week honeymoon in the Upper Peninsula, Bob and Barb made East Lansing their home. Barb was a secretary at Michigan State University, until they started their family. Later when the children were in school, Barb was the secretary at Ascension Lutheran Church, East Lansing, Michigan and then Christ Lutheran Church, Lansing, Michigan. As a “retirement” project, Bob and Barb owned and operated Witte Orchards in Dimondale, Michigan for 20 years. Barb was active at the churches she attended and found great joy as a member of the women’s guilds, altar guilds and organizing church funeral dinners. Barb was an avid gardener and was member of the Meridian Garden Club for many years.
Barb is survived by her children, James (Gera) Witte of Kewadin, Michigan, and Karen (Bob) Roberts of Venice, Florida; grandchildren, Andrew Witte of Palo Alto, California, Nicholas (Caitlin) Witte, of Hanover, New Hampshire, Danielle Roberts of Hope Mills, North Carolina, and Jacqueline (Eric) Whitcraft of Shelby Township, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Bennett and Scarlett Witte; brother, William (Sandy) Anschutz; and many beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Barb was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Robert; her sisters, Regina Welker and Caroline Krol; and her brother, Paul Anschutz.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 7910 E. St. Joe Hwy, Lansing, Michigan 48917, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Private interment at Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason, Michigan.
To view the livestream of Barbara’s service, please click on the link.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church and School General Fund. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
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Pastor Bob and JoAnne Reinhardt
November 25, 2021 at 4:13 pmBarb was such a wonderful secretary, my first ever. She and Bob became close personal friends and though separated over the years, we could always pick up where we left off. We still have mementos of their generosity. Not only was she friend, but so loyal to our family. In years when JoAnne and I moved and my mother Edna remained, she, Bob, and the Pangmans looked after her and helped her with her affairs. We are forever grateful for their kindness and love for her and us.