The Circle Banner - Anyone can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the pairie

The morning of February 29, 2024, Laura Wittenberg passed away after a short illness. Laura was born on September 14, 1939, the youngest of eight children of Gottlieb and Erna Schock. She attended school at a country school, Circle and Wolf Point.

After graduation she married Robert Wittenberg and settled on a farm north of Circle. Together they had five children, Jeanne Rae, Robert, Shawn, Paula and Tracy. They farmed and raised their family until they divorced. Laura sold the farm and moved to Circle. She worked at Eissinger Equipment, worked for a short time as a dispatcher until she was elected County Assessor for McCone County and then later for the State of Montana.

After her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grand-children and great grand children.

She was well known for her love of dolls and teddy bears and had an extensive collection of both. She was always giving tips on the deals on QVC. She was the plant guru and everyone called her for advice on how not to kill their plants. She was known for her fudge and chocolate chip cookies. If you drove by her house you could see her puttering in her yard with her plants and flowers. She loved her bird feeders and watching the birds come and bathe outside her kitchen window. She always got mad when the robins would dirty the water and chase the smaller birds away.

She loved Jesus and was involved in the church until her later years. She knew she was going home to be with her Savior. She was greatly loved by all of her family. Each of her family has special memories of her. She was so loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by her children, Jeanne Rae (Tom) Kirkegard, Bob (Tammie) Wittenberg, Shawn (Clint) Kirchner, Paula Pederson, and Tracy (Mary) Wittenberg. Her Grandchildren, Zach Kirkegard, Jere(Dharlyne)Kirkegard, Uriah (RaChelle) Kirkegard, Natasha (Rick) Hogan, Savannah (Drew) Hanson, Shannell Weeding, Tyler(Aspen) Wittenberg, Haley (Cole) McGinnis, Amanda(Ryan) Moe, Travis(Kelcy)Dunham, Jason Dunham, Kramer (Ellie) Dunham, Roland (Fallon) Pederson, Justen Wittenberg, and Lane Wittenberg. And her Great grandchildren, Katelyn(Allen) Pirotek, Rylan Hogan, Caden Hogan, Kinzie Kirkegard, Kolbie Kirkegard, Matilda Weeding, Mallory Weeding, Saylor Hanson, Landynn White, Breckyn White, Brenten Kirkegard, Layklen Kirkegard, Beah Kirkegard, Carl Kirkegard, Sierra Kirkegard and Grady Dunham, Mataya Moe, Elliyana Moe, Kaliya Moe and Myla Moe. She is survived by a special niece and friend, Sandy Quick and many other nieces and nephews.

A memorial service honoring Laura's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024 at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle. Refreshments will be served following the service. Private family committal follows. Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. http://www.bullismortuary.com.