Steven Albert Witzke Obituary

Steven Albert Witzke attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, IA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Steven Albert Witzke.

Graduation Year	Class of 1973
Date of Passing	Jun 27, 2001
About	Fight Over Cans Linked To Death Bluffs Man Recalled as Artistic Nomad by Patrick Strawbridge, Council Bluffs Bureau Al Witzke remembers his older brother Steven as a free spirit, an artist with plenty of places to stay but no permanent address to call home. "He didn't let things tie him down," Witzke said. Steven Witzke died Wednesday near railroad tracks in the center of Council Bluffs, hours after a fight with another man. An autopsy revealed bleeding beneath his skull, and police are seeking to interview the other man involved in the fight. "We'd just like to find this person so we can talk to him," said Sgt. Ray Mabbitt of the Council Bluffs Police Department. Mabbitt said police and the County Attorney's Office have not yet determined what, if any, charges might be filed in the case. He said the fight, which was witnessed by two people, involved possession of some recyclable cans. It was a minor scrape, he said, that left Witzke with some bruises and a black eye, but nothing that appeared to be serious. Witzke's body was found about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday near 12th Street and Avenue E. Al Witzke said he was frustrated by the possibility that his brother's assailant may not face charges. "I don't understand that seeing as how he was in a fight and died a few hours later, " Witzke said. Steven Witzke, 46, grew up in the Bluffs and Denver. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School and worked as a free-lance carpet layer, his brother said. Although Steven Witzke did not have a permanent address, his brother said he had plenty of places in Council Bluffs to stay at for a night or two at a time. He also occasionally stayed with friends in Underwood, Iowa. Witzke also leave behind two sisters, Rebecca Johnson of Council Bluffs and Rhonda Schwager of Manilla, Iowa. He also had a 15-year-old daughter who lives in Story City and a 25-year-old son who lives in Sioux City. Belford-O'Neill Funeral Home in Council Bluffs is handling the funeral arrangements. Services have not been set. Article/Obituary published 6/29/2001, pg 14, Omaha World-Herald.