Thomas R. Knitt

WESTBY Thomas R. Knitt, age 76 of Westby, died Wednesday October 2, 2019. On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, Thomas Raymond Knitt, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 76. Tom was born on May 17, 1943 in Clintonville, WI to Alfred and Myrtle (Kautz) Knitt. He grew up in Marion, WI where he made many life-long friends. He graduated from Marion High School in 1962, and worked for years with the family businesses Marion Hardware, Knitt Lumber and Knitt Sand and Gravel. In 1964 he married and raised three sons, Craig, Curt and Paul then later divorced. In 1993 he married Laura "Babe" Kitzman. In 1999 he sold his business and moved to Westby, WI were he and Babe worked road construction together and built their home. Tom loved heavy equipment and old tractors but also had a passion for people. He loved sparking conversation with strangers and B.S.-ing with long-time friends. He was rarely seen without a playful twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face and his bibbed overalls. He loved to travel and a shortcut could easily turn into an all day car ride. Anyone that knew him would say he was one of a kind. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Alfred and his mother, Myrtle, as well as his brother, William; brother-in-law, Mike and his beloved family pet, Richie. He is survived by his wife Laura "Babe"; his three sons, Craig, Curt (Jill) and Paul; his granddaughter Grace; his brothers, John and Jim; his sister-in-laws, Shirley, Judy and Marsha; brother-in-law, Randy; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at the Big Falls Cemetery in Big Falls on October 12, 2019 at 11:00 AM with a gathering for friends and family to be held at Bubbas in Marion afterwards. The following week (October 19, 2019 at 1:00 PM) a celebration of his life will be observed with friends and family at his home in Westby.