Edward E. Litwitz

Edward E. Litwitz, 81, Town of Linn, died at his home May 27, 2023.

Ed was born April 27, 1942, in Chicago, the son of Alfred and Mary (Wilcoski) Litwitz, and moved with his family in the early 1950s from Chicago to Hayward, Wis., where his parents operated a fishing and hunting resort.

He attended Wisconsin State University-Superior (now UW-Superior) until 1966 when the U.S. government “requested” he join the Army during the Vietnam War. Ed served mainly as a medic during his two years in the Army.

Ed worked in the bar and resort businesses, first in northern Wisconsin, and later in Twin Lakes, Milwaukee and Lake Geneva. He was co-owner of the Twin Lakes Inn for many years, and was a longtime employee of the Grand Geneva Resort, beginning there when it was the Playboy Club. He enjoyed many a conversation with people from all walks of life, and had a deep, rich voice that often prompted people to tell him he “should be in radio,” which he always found amusing.

Ed and Louann Schoenberg were married May 3, 1991, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva. They shared many adventures before and during their marriage, especially after their son, Nick, was born. Ed liked exploring new places and visiting familiar ones with his wife and son. Road trips to Hayward and throughout Wisconsin, a trek across South Dakota, an Arizona dude ranch vacation, and trips to Florida, California, New England, New Orleans and the Twin Cities were special to him. He fondly remembered a long-ago visit to Hawaii, during which he went surfing at Waikiki.

Over the years, Ed enjoyed snow and water skiing, boating on Geneva Lake, riding horses, hunting with his brother, and dining out with family and friends. A Chicago Bears fan, he lost more than a few bets over the years to his friend Bob, a Packers fan. 

Ed appreciated nature – the fierceness of its storms, the quiet of its woods, the sultry days of summer. Some of his favorite times were spent in his backyard, playing with his son, relaxing with family and friends, mowing the lawn, building wood fires, watching the hawks, deer and wild turkey, and listening to his neighbor play the saxophone.

In 2020, Ed was sidelined by a stroke that made the final years of his life a struggle. He was buoyed by visits and calls from friends and relatives, and quiet times with those who loved him most.

Ed is survived by his wife, Louann, and his son, Nick (Meg Hutchinson); mother-in-law Mary Schoenberg; sisters-in-law Estelle Litwitz, Jeanine (Don) Cowan and Lynne (Mike) McCluskey; brothers-in-law Dan (Connie) Schoenberg, Ed (Jill) Schoenberg, Al (Paula) Schoenberg; and Joe (Shannon) Schoenberg; nieces Anita Litwitz (James Cornett), Cindy Litwitz, Jessica (Brad) Soots, Lea (Dale) Kowalewski, Lauren McCluskey, Alyssa Cowan, Brooke Schoenberg and Camille Schoenberg; nephews Al Litwitz, Josh (Samantha) Schoenberg, Austin Schoenberg, Shawn McCluskey, Spencer Schoenberg, Zach Cowan, and Sam Schoenberg; and his godson, Tim Goodman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Alfred Litwitz; his cousin Debbie Goodman (who was like a sister to him); and his father-in-law, Harold Schoenberg.

His family would like to thank the caregivers of St. Croix Hospice in Delavan who made Ed’s final months more comfortable, treating him with dignity and compassion. Thank you also to caregiver Mary Ann.

A private celebration of Ed’s life will be held at a later time.

The family suggests donations to local Toys for Tots organizations.

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Derrick Funeral Home is honored to be assisting Edward's family

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