Jacquelyne "Jackie" Mary Witter, EdD

“I have lived my entire adult life trying to show God's love to others. That is my vocation and it is very good work.”

After a life dedicated to ministry, Jacquelyne Mary Witter, formerly of Wausau, died Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Edina, Minnesota. She was born February 21, 1955, in Wausau, daughter of the late La Vern and Rose May (Curler) Witter.

She was formerly Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Director of Catechesis and Faith Formation of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Jackie had a deep vocational call to minister to ministers that was both obvious and successful throughout her lifetime. In 1999, she was named Director of Ministerial Formation for the School of Theology-Seminary of her alma mater, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, where she also served as Associate Director of the school’s groundbreaking Theological Exploration of Vocation project.

In 2003, the Benedictine sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery, St. Paul, Minnesota, upon receiving a grant from the Lily Foundation, presented a unique opportunity to Dr. Witter: develop and implement a program to support and develop lay leaders in church ministry. As the founding director of iLUMINARE, she advanced the leadership skills of an entire generation of already experienced lay church leaders. She counted this ministry among her greatest achievements.

A popular and sought after speaker, many will remember the strong, proud woman but few knew of the daily battle she fought against autoimmune diseases that ravaged her body. Jackie will be remembered for her generosity and grateful heart; her wide-ranging interest in life and people; her listening presence; her compassion for those who were vulnerable or suffering; her pleasure in good writing and many genres of music; her enjoyment of family pets, and her keen sense of humor.

Survivors include many close friends; her brothers, Mike, Mark (Cathy), Glen; her nieces and nephews, Natalie, Alexander, Samantha, Vanessa and Alanna.

A Memorial Service will be at 5:00PM, Monday, November 13, at St. Cecilia Catholic Parish, 2357 Bayless Place, St Paul, MN. The Rev. John Hofstede will preside.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00PM, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at Church of the Resurrection, 621 N 2nd Street, Wausau, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 1:00PM until the time of Mass. The Rev. John Parr will preside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred by Jackie’s family.