Paula Jean (Klatt) DeWitt, who with her husband co-owned the (Glenwood City) Tribune Press Reporter and the Colfax Messenger, died Monday, Sept. 14, at her home, following a 22-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 75.
Born Dec. 31, 1944, in Menomonie to Paul and Bernice (Alseth) Klatt, she grew up on the family farm in the Dunn County town of Stanton and graduated from Glenwood City High School in 1963.
Paula and Carlton DeWitt were married July 20, 1963, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie. Together they had three sons — Shawn, Alexander and Joel — six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
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The DeWitts purchased the Glenwood City Tribune and later added the Boyceville Press-Reporter in 1984, which they merged with the Tribune to form the Tribune Press Reporter. In 1995, they added the Colfax Messenger, which they purchased from longtime owner and publisher Lyle Christianson.
Paula DeWitt oversaw the newspapers’ accounting and billing, while Carlton DeWitt serves as publisher for both newspapers and editor of the Tribune Press Reporter. Shawn DeWitt, their son, is editor of the Messenger, in addition to serving as advertising and circulation director for both newspapers.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, at Glenwood City United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the church.
