Dwayne E. Wittstruck was born Nov. 4, 1925 to Elmer and Wilhelmina (Fischer) Wittstruck on the Wittstruck Homestead at Centerville, but soon moved to another family farm on W. Bennet Rd. There he grew up, walking to West Union Dist. 29 grade school and graduating from Sprague-Martell High School in 1943. His family raised purebred Guernseys whose “Golden Guernsey” milk went first to Skyline Dairy, then to Roberts. They were charter members of the Lancaster County Grade A Association. In 1949 Dwayne married a city girl from Scranton, Pennsylvania named Joan Conway. It took a little doing but Dwayne turned her into a real farmer’s wife – milking cows and scrubbing the barn. They had three children, Craig, Marc, and Laurie and with all those pretty Guernsey calves around, they were soon involved in 4-H.
Dwayne started in 4-H in 1934 – the Henny Penny Club – an all boys poultry club. He was the leader of the Rokeby Dairy Club for well over ten years, stressing participation in speech, song, and demonstration projects. He always maintained that it was more important to be a purple ribbon kid than to have a purple ribbon calf. After 4-H, he and Joan served as Lancaster County Fair superintendents. They sponsored trophies for showmanship and in 1986 established the Wilhelmina Wittstruck All-Around Horse Exhibitor Award. Dwayne was at the fair every year to give the winners congratulations and a hug. He was a big hugger! In 2015 he and Joan were inducted into the Lancaster County Agricultural Society Hall of Fame. Besides kids and cattle, Dwayne’s great love was basketball. He played on the Sprague-Martell town team and later played and managed his own team in the Lincoln City League.
During the dry years of 1955 to 1960, Dwayne worked nights at Goodyear and farmed during the day. Ironically, his eldest granddaughter, Courtney, is currently the plant manager at what used to be Goodyear and is now Continental. He gave her a lot of tips! (We’re not sure she uses them). It was picking Courtney up from 8th grade basketball practice that started his second – or third career as a volunteer basketball coach with his son Marc at Crete Middle School. His mantra was “defense and free throws win games!” 25 years later, at age 90, he was inducted into the Crete High School Hall of Fame. At 92, he was still planning on coaching 8th grade girls and 7th grade boys this year.
Dwayne was president of the UNL Ag Advisory Board, president of the Lancaster County Extension Board, District 29 School Board President, Nebraska State Dairyman’s Association president, and recipient of the first Citizenship Award from the Lincoln Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the Martell United Methodist Church, the Centerville Cemetery Board, and a proud member of the Crete FFA Alumni Association.
Dwayne left to work on Heaven’s pastures on June 1st. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Chad, and daughter-in-law Holly. His survivors include wife of 69 years, Joan, sons Craig (Colleen) and Marc, both of Martell, daughter Laurie (Bill) Askew of Malin, OR; grandchildren: Courtney, Lincoln; Lindsay (Patrick) Eisenmenger, Papillion; Casey (Whitney) Wittstruck, Lincoln; Stephanie (Kyle) Hemje, Crete; Cole (Bonnie) Wittstruck, Lincoln; Mallory Wittstruck (and fiancé Clint Shoemaker), Beloit, KS; and Alexa (Andrew) Holsing, Lincoln. Beloved great grandchildren: Easton and Barrett Eisenmenger; Liam and Grace Wittstruck, Titus, Marcus, and Bailey Hemje, and Augusta Holsing. Dwayne would want you to know that he died doing what he loved-with his boots on, working in his pasture. He often said “I’ve had a wonderful life. I wouldn’t change a thing!”
Visitation is Friday June 8th from 6-8 p.m. at Martell Methodist Church and one hour before services Saturday. Services will be Saturday June 9th at 10:30 a.m. at the 4-H Ag Building in Tuxedo Park, Crete. Interment will be in Centerville Cemetery. Please wear Crete Cardinal garb or casual clothing. Memorials are suggested to the “Dwayne Wittstruck Memorial Fund” at Security First Bank to be used for Crete Middle School basketball camp scholarships. Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln are handling the arrangements. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com.
He was such a nice man, and I will miss his stories.
Sorry for your loss, Joan. He will certainly be missed.
I will miss his great hugs and that always ready smile. He has touched so many lives. Thoughts and prayers to you and the family Joan.
I was so sorry to hear of Dwayne passing. I have such fond memories of times in 4-H and dairy farming. Dwayne was a true gentleman and an incredible example to the young people he joyfully mentored. My deepest sympathies to Joanie, Craig, Mark, Laurie and the rest of the Wittstruck family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
We are so sorry to hear of Dwayne’s passing. We always loved to visit with him at the softball fields when he came to watch Courtney and our Lisa play. The photo you posted just makes me smile as that’s the way we’ll always remember him, with that big ole smile on his face. He was a joy to visit with and always had a story or two to tell. Much love and sympathy to the entire family. We know the many, many good memories you have enjoyed and the comfort of family and friends will surround you all.
Dwayne’s smiles, hugs and laughter is something we will always remember when we think of him.
He will be greatly missed, not only by his family but the entire community.
Joan: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Hugs from the end of the world—as Dwayne described our cabin in Eastern Oregon. A great loss!
Sorry for your loss, Joan and family. Cousin Dwayne will be missed by everyone whose life he touched. His laugh and voice were signature to everyone he knew.
He was a grandpa to more than just his immediate family. Hundreds of kids adored him. One of the nicest guys I’ll ever meet.
Denise and I will be in Colorado but know that our prayers are with all of you…..Dwayne lived a life that many of us can aspire to copy…May god bless all of the wittstrucks
Thank you for the sweet story of his life. He definitely was ‘Coach Grandpa’ to so many ‘kids’ and we thank you, his family, did sharing him with us.
Such an outstanding person. Thoughts and prayers for all the family and friends.
A wonderful guy. The Youngs are grateful to have known him.
Dwayne was an all around wonderful person. He had a heart of gold and I know that he had a positive impact on many lives throughout his years. I had the pleasure of visiting with him a few months back and am glad I did. Your family will be in our prayers.
Dwayne was one in a million. We will remember his huge heart and big smile. We will all miss his great presence in our lives. ❤
Wittstruck Family: We are saddened and so sorry for your loss. Dwayne was such a positive influence in so many lives, in so many ways. We will miss him for his humor and his warmth, for who he was and for all of his life’s great works.
He will be missed. If you were at the same event, he would look you up and say “hi”.
We are so sad to hear this news. It was always a highlight at the 4-H Awards nights to hear him speak. I had the honor of sitting at his table once and he was such a delight to talk to. What a wonderful man and family, who really knew how to Pay It Forward. He will be greatly missed.
The Johnson brothers and family send our most heartfelt sympathy to all. Uncle Marc and girls, we love you!
So sorry to hear of Grandpa Wittstruck’s passing. Hoping his life of service dedicated to encouraging others gives his family comfort at this time. He definitely lived an aspiring life and was such an encourager, example, and leader to so many young minds. I am forever grateful for his constant words of encouragement as a young and awkward athlete, and I always admired how he saw hope and the best in everyone, with or without athletic ability.
“Grandpa” always made junior high basketball practice a blast! Will never forget his hugs and constant smile! He lived a long, happy, successful life and will be missed by so many! Wittstruck’s will always hold a place in my heart!
Sorry about Duane’s passing. He was always a great story teller. Loved to hear about his days with Uncle Don and Dean Strufing. Now they can all reminisce again. Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.
We feel so honored to have known such a kind and extraordinary man for the short time we have. Our deepest sympathies to the wonderful Wittstruck family.
We knew Dwayne from the car races and always enjoyed visiting with each other and hearing about our families. Our sympathy and prayers go out to your family. Gary and Nancy
So sorry to hear of Dwayne’s passing. Loved his hugs and smiles and he was always so “up beat” and happy that you walked away with a smile too!!
Our whole family has great memories of him.
Marie Konecky family
Our thoughts and prayers with Dwayne’s family. Shared many Swinger softball games and trips and he was always so supportive of the girls.