Walter C. Kitzerow Jr, age 84, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Falls.
He was born May 31, 1941 in Manitowoc, son of the late Walter C. Kitzerow Sr. and Genevieve (Robbinson) Kitzerow. Wally attended Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1959. Following high school, he joined the US Merchant Marines, sailing on the great lakes. On July 7, 1962 he married Jean Bonin at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Manitowoc. Wally and his family owned and operated one of the areas first fishing charters, Trophy Charters. They provided charters on their boat Northern Venture for 18 years. He was also employed with Manitowoc Engineering doing field service and repair. In his younger years, Wally enjoyed stock car racing and snowmobiling. He was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, hunting and was a member of the Manitowoc Gun Club.
Wally is survived by his wife of 63 years: Jean Kitzerow; two sons: Thomas W. Kitzerow and William C. Kitzerow, all of Manitowoc; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Mary (Glenn) Hoffman, Green Bay, Vickie (Robert) Peaslee, Two Rivers, and Robert Bonin, Manitowoc; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Walter C. Kitzerow Sr. and Genevieve Kitzerow; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Janet and Edwin Bonin; and his sister-in-law: Janet Bonin.
Cremation has occurred at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory, Manitowoc, and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 628 N. Water Street, Manitowoc. The family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Following the memorial service, a reception will be held from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, located on the southside property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, Manitowoc, is assisting the Kitzerow family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, Sheboygan Falls, for the care and compassion they have shown Wally and his family.
