David Witteman
June 28, 1935 – March 10, 2009

MOHALL – David P. Witteman, 73, of Mohall; died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at a Minot hospital.

He was born June 28, 1935 on the family farm in Hurley Township of Renville County to Orville P. and S. Lucile (Bohm) Witteman.  He graduated from Mohall High School in 1953 and attended the University of Minnesota.  He served two tours of duty with the U.S. Army, including a recall from stand-by reserves for the Berlin Crisis.

David was united in marriage to Beverly Steinhaus in Westhope on July 19, 1964.

David was an active third generation farmer in north central North Dakota for over 50 years.  He bought his first durum seed in 1957 from an elevator in Webster, ND.  His son, Paul, joined him as a fourth generation farmer in 1988.  Their farm is located in Brandon Township of Renville County near Mohall.

David was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall, a past Master and 50 year member of the Mohall Masonic Lodge, and a member of the George T. Taylor American Legion Post #52, Mohall.  David was active for over 50 years in the Democratic-NPL party, serving seven years as District Chairman.  In his youth, he participated during legislative sessions as a member of the “Third House” support staff.  He was an active lobbyist for production agriculture in both Bismarck and Washington, DC during his entire adult life.

He was currently a director and one of the original organizers of the Mohall Business and Industrial Development Corporation.  He helped establish the local Industrial Park and supported value added Ag and local manufacturing ventures.  He was enthused about the Minot Intermodal enterprise possibilities for production Ag in North Dakota.

David served 16 years on the Renville Soil Conservation Board of Supervisors, 23 years as a Farm Credit Director for northwestern North Dakota, four years on the State Crop Improvement Association Board, five years on the State Mill and Elevator Farmers Advisory Board, and two years on the ND Farmer’s Steering Committee.

While a Farm Credit Director, he was active in realignment of the Production Credit Association and Farm Land Bank during the credit crunch of the 1980s.

David was a current member of the ManDak Zero Till organization, Corner Marketing Club, the Farmer’s Union and the U.S. Durum Growers.

He was recognized with many awards including Jaycee Outstanding Farmer, the Amber Award from the Durum Growers Association, the Pioneer Award from the Renville-Bottineau Ag Improvement Association and the Master Seeder Award from Strawtrack Manufacturing-Regina.

Family:  wife of 44 years, Beverly; son, Paul (Michelle) Witteman, Mohall; daughter, Wendy (Tim) Owen, Mohall; grandchildren, Jordan and Meghan Witteman; Jason, Nathan and Elizabeth Owen; sisters, Molla Romine and Phyllis (Bob) Loomis, all of Minot; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

David was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral:  Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall

Burial:  Mohall Community Cemetery, in the spring

Family Service:  Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the church

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