Christine L. Wittenberg

Christine L. Wittenberg (Nee Laabs) of Cedarburg went to her heavenly home on February 13, 2016. She died peacefully at the age of 95 years. Christine was the beloved wife and friend of the late John H. Wittenberg and loving mother of Sandra (Edward) Downey and Mark (Marjorie) Wittenberg. Loving Grandma to Patrick (Leah), Douglas (Debbie) & Kyle Downey and Nicholas (Jennifer), John J. (Jennifer) Wittenberg & Robyn (Mike) Baken. Loving Great grandma to Samantha, Jessica, Avery, Jax, Allie, Zach, Brandan, Halie, Braden, Ella & Bentley. Loving sister of Carol Ross and the late Arlin Edmark. Further survived by other relatives and many friends. Christine was born in Grafton on May 20, 1920 to Irma (nee Ahlers) and Edward Laabs. Her father, a photographer, owned Laabs Studio in Grafton until his untimely death in 1925. Christine attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School for grade school, followed by Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Soon afterward, she met John H. Wittenberg of Cedarburg and they were married on Valentine’s Day, 1939. As a couple, they started and maintained several businesses on Washington Avenue in Cedarburg. They opened the first laundromat in the area, located on the west side of the Wittenberg Woolen Mill. After various ownerships, that laundromat still exists on the south side of Cedarburg. Beginning as a floor sanding business, Wittenberg Floor Covering, Inc. was first located in a small area on the south side of the Mill. In 1957, that business moved to the south end of Cedarburg, currently owned by their son, Mark. Christine retired in 1985. Representing her generation, Christine is thought to be one of the last of those early Cedarburg entrepreneurs who owned the early businesses up and down Washington Avenue. Often she would share stories of those early beginnings of Cedarburg. However, growing up in Grafton and being a descendant of the Groth family, she continuously related those memories also. Christine was loved by all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. She thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren – and, most of all, they enjoyed being with her. She was a very caring person and always gave of herself as she was involved in family and community, as well as spending time in northern Wisconsin and southern Florida, enjoying being with close friends in those areas. She will be missed but not forgotten. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 – 12 Noon at Faith Lutheran Church, N35W6621 Wilson Ave. Cedarburg. Interment Zur Ruhe Cemetery. Visitation at the church on Sat. 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Faith Lutheran Church Hope Fund would be appreciated. Special thanks to the staff at Ellen’s Home and the Horizon Hospice Program.