Irving Wittmayer

Irving Eugene Wittmayer, 76, died Dec. 11, 2020, at his home in Westby.

Born on July 19, 1944, in Crosby, N.D., he grew up in the Westby community, attending Daneville Country School and Westby Schools. He often reminisced of days on the farm with his big brother, Lovell, life in a oneroom country schoolhouse and playing football, basketball and track in high school. His fondest memory was the purchase of his first Harley Davidson motorcycle as a teenager, which was just the beginning of his often eccentric and rebellious endeavors. After graduating in 1962, and a brief time working on the oil rigs, he attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, earning a degree in secondary education. Upon graduation from college, he held teaching and basketball coaching positions in Rapelje and Bainville before returning to Westby to farm in the 1970s.

He was a renowned fur trapper with an extensive trap line throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. He perfected the skill of skinning and tanning his own hides and eventually made jewelry. His coyote coat was one of his prized possessions.

In 1978, he married Michelle Melgaard. Together, they raised three children. He was a very dedicated father and brought a lot of quirkiness and laughter to their home.

He enjoyed playing softball and bowling in Grenora for many years. His quick wit and unique and silly ways of experiencing the world will forever carry on in his children and their friends, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Never one to sit idle, he kept meticulous bookkeeping in his office and learned the art of refinishing antique furniture. He helped build new addition to his family home and it was filled quickly with his refinished treasures discovered over the years. The couple also shared a rural mail route. Many residents of Westby cherished the kindness and special deliveries to their doorsteps for well over 30 years.

He is survived by his children, Krisena Curry of Laurel, Heidi Wittmayer of Westby and Levi Wittmayer of Williston, N.D.; five grandchildren; brother, Lovell Wittmayer; and sisters, Julie Pierce and Ruth Brown.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Michelle Wittmayer.

Cremation has taken place and graveside services are tentatively planned to be held on July 3 at the Daneville Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Wittmayer place in Westby.