Marlin Wittwer Obituary

Former Durango resident Marlin Ray Wittwer died of metastasized bladder cancer Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, at his home in Cortez. He was 65.

Mr. Wittwer was born to Chester Ely and Flora Adeline (Roberts) Wittwer on Aug. 21, 1948, in Boulder. He grew up in Rangely until his family moved to Durango when he was a junior in high school. He graduated from Durango High School in 1966.

Mr. Wittwer served in the Army from 1968 to 1970. A crew chief on a helicopter in the Vietnam War, he was exposed to Agent Orange.

In October 1970, he married Denise Lammon in Durango.

Mr. Wittwer spent more than 40 years in banking. He began his career at Beneficial Finance in Durango and was later transferred to Cortez, continuing to work for the company for another five years. He then went to work for Citizens State Bank of Cortez for almost 30 years, where he served as a senior loan officer.

After about a year of retirement and missing working, Mr. Wittwer went to work for Steve Keetch Motors to try something new. He later returned to banking, working at Dolores State Bank for seven more years.

An active volunteer in Cortez, he served as treasurer for several organizations, including 20 years for Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde, six or seven years for the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 1789, and Crime Stoppers and the Cortez Men's Bowling Association. Mr. Wittwer coached his sons' Little League team and loved to take his children hunting and fishing.

He also loved playing golf and was a member of the Cortez Men's Golf Association. Mr. Wittwer was a member of the National Rifle Association.

"He didn't have one mean bone in his body," his wife said. "Everyone always said he was the nicest man they ever knew."

Mr. Wittwer is survived by his wife of almost 43 years, Denise Wittwer, of Cortez; father, Chester Wittwer, of Durango; sons Gary Wittwer of Grand Junction and Ken Wittwer of Thornton; siblings Ron Wittwer of Durango and Barbara Hopper of Virginia; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service was Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at the Cortez Elks Lodge in Cortez. Military honors were provided by the Montezuma County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5231.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Kiwanis of Mesa Verde Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 753, Cortez, CO 81321; or Cortez Elks Scholarship Fund, 2100 N. Dolores Road, Cortez, CO 81321.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ertelfuneralhome.com.