Carmen Lee Witt

She was born on November 22, 1939, in Modesto, CA, to Mark Winfield and Flora (Green) Winfield Kepcha. She graduated from Grant High school in 1956 and spent the majority of her life in the Sacramento area. Carmen married the love of her life, Leonard W. Witt, Jr. on August 15, 1970.

Carmen was preceded in death by both of her parents, her step father Dean C. Kepcha and her Brother Floyd “Windy” M. Winfield.

Carmen is survived by her Husband of over 51 years, Leonard W. Witt, Jr. and her Sister; Flora Jane Norton. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; Niece, Shellena Peck, husband Derek, and their children Whitney, Kayla and Colter. Nephew, Melvin Winfield, wife May, and their daughter Laci Winfield. Niece, Charlotte Garber, companion Candis Potts; Nephew, Rock Norton, his companion Sherri Fuson and his four children Timothy, Brandon, Cheyenne and Rachael; Niece, Kari Winfield Carlson, husband Carl. And so many more family members and longtime friends.

Carmen and her husband Leonard, belonged to the Living Hope Community Church in Fair Oaks, CA. Carmen was well known for her amazing baking skills, where she so often baked treats for Sunday gatherings. She received so much joy seeing the adults and children light up when eating her goodies. It made her heart feel good.

As a young girl, Carmen participated in the Powder Puff Derbies in California. She loved going fast and competing, this is where her competitive nature came to light. She just so happened to have a very famous Uncle “Gene Winfield”. This love for cars runs in the family. A little later in life, she took up bowling and became an amazing bowler in both women’s leagues and mixed couples with her husband Leonard. She was able to achieve a high average of 175 and won many trophies over the years.

Carmen’s heart was most content by being a home maker, chef and baker for her husband. Her home became her domain. Over the 40+ years living in their home, she was able to watch so many hummingbird generations be born. She never stopped feeding them, all year long. This was by far her most favorite bird. She also watched many dove families being born in her back yard as well as squirrels on the fence and phone lines who crossed through her yard. Her cactus garden is a wonderful site, of course with Leonard working on it and moving it over the years for her to enjoy. The pool was the highlight at times during visits, when they would throw amazing pool parties in their back yard. She was an amazing host. She always provided so much home cooked food, baked goods and drinks. We learned how to host from the best!

During Leonard’s time working she selflessly followed him to his electrician job sites, which took them all over California. She made their temporary home in the travel trailer amazing. Of course traveling with their dog “Trixie”, her most beloved Schnauzer. This love of traveling and glamorous camping led them to join an RV club, where they would meet many friends over the years.

Carmen loved to fish, sometimes more than life itself. Salmon spawning was one of her favorite times of the year, you could set your watch during this time knowing they were both out on the American and Sacramento rivers catching huge salmon. Of course they used their secret fishing lures they made at home to catch the salmon, often out fishing other boats and no one knowing about their secret lures. Her competitive spirit allowed her to out fish her husband on most trips, or at least that’s how she told the stories to all of us.

She also made her mark at Odell Lake in Oregon. Catching fresh water Mackinaw from the depths of the lake utilizing her cousins homemade down riggers attached to their fishing boat. Family and friends would often gather yearly at the Odell Lake cabins to enjoy this time with Carmen and Leonard.

A lot of her family spent time fishing with both of them over the years in so many different locations. A lot of her nieces and nephews, brother and sister, Mom and step Dad and Leonard’s family and so many friends. There are so many memories of all the good times camping and fishing. She would always be so proud remembering all the good times spent with her people.

Another passion was loving to play pinochle. She and Leonard taught their nieces and nephews and many others over the years, how to play. Carmen also loved board games, card games, Yahtzee and her infamous aggravation marble game, which was homemade by a family member. Most family members played on that board over the years with Carmen. Many a late night was spent playing cards or marble games, just enjoying being around family and friends. She loved competing and hated for anyone to lose. If you were lucky, you may have experienced her infectious laugh. It was often described as sounding like a high pitched cackling chicken, or something like that. If you were present you couldn’t help but join in the laughter, often to the point of tears. It was definitely her joyful trademark, never to be forgotten!

Carmen had many hobbies, some of which were crocheting, knitting, embroidery work and sewing. A lot of family and friends reaped the benefits of home knitted pot holders, kitchen towels and blankets over the years. She also loved collecting very beautiful tea cups and saucers, Thomas Kinkade plates, all frog related Knick knacks and most of all, anything Elvis Presley.

Carmen was also the 49’rs #1 fan! She loved watching their games and the Kings, Oakland A’s and the S.F. Giants. Another fun fact was watching her, watching boxing matches in her living room on the television. She would throw punches right alongside the guys competing during the fights. She loved all her sports.

The most important thing to know about Carmen – is her unfailing love of Jesus Christ. She read her bible daily, talked to God daily and spoke of Him to anyone who would listen. She prayed for the eternal salvation of everyone she knew and loved. Christmas was her most favorite time of the year. She loved celebrating Jesus’ birth and decorating her home with so many amazing Christmas decorations, you always knew it was Christmas at her home. Many may not know this, but she actually worked in a local department store for a few years, as a professional gift wrapper. During the Christmas present wrapping season, people would often request her by name just for her mad wrapping skills.

There is no true way to wrap up someone’s life in a short story. You can really only glean snippets that encompass the highlights of such an amazing human being. Just always remember she had so much joy in this world. But where she is now, is where she always longed to be, with Jesus Christ and all the friends and family that preceded her. We found this in her bible – “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves us memories, no one can steal.” This was in her yearbook – “May your name in gold, be written in the autograph of God” – Author Unknown

Enjoy the view Ginger, we will see you again one day. You are home…

At the family’s request, there will be no gathering or funeral service, but please share your memories and pictures at the Reicherts Funeral Home website: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries