Malcolm Lawrence Whittle, 87, of Elkader, died Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Central Community Hospital in Elkader. He was born September 1, 1929, on the family farm in rural Communia to Clement and Elsie (Kopp) Whittle. Malcolm graduated from Elkader High School.
He was united in marriage with JoAnn Rita Shea on November 8, 1952, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader. The couple was blessed with five children. Malcolm was a logger – he worked at Grau Logs and Lumber in Elkader for over 30 years and drove a log truck for many years.
He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, mushroom hunting, and hunting and was a little league coach when his children were young.
Survivors include his wife JoAnn of Elkader, children, Richard (Julie) Whittle of Elgin, Steve Whittle of Elkader, Kathy (Mike) Leistikow of Decorah, Doug (Janet) Whittle of Watertown, WI and Dave Whittle of Elkader; ten grandchildren, Shawn (Alicia) Whittle, Amanda (Adam) Schmitt, Jeremy (Megan) Whittle, Cody Whittle, Colton (Kari) Whittle, Nathan (Tracy) Leistikow, Erin (Dustin) Vercande, Jason Whittle, Andrew Whittle and Jacob Whittle; eight great-grandchildren and one brother, Norbert (Dorothy) Whittle of Milwaukee.
Malcolm was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Edith (Dale) Peck and two brothers, Burnell (Bernice) Whittle and Earl (Ruth) Whittle.
Visitation: 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. on Monday, May 29, 2017, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Elkader and after 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday at the church.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elkader with Rev. Paul Peters officiating.
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elkader.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com