Wittkopf, Allen Thomas “Tom” celebrated his 83rd birthday on April 4, 2023, with Rochelle (Roach) Wittkopf, his wife of 56 years. In the early morning hours of April 30th he died peacefully in his sleep with Rochelle by his side in Naples, FL, their winter home for the past 18 years. Both Tom and Rochelle grew up in Florence, WI, which is where they raised their children. They were partners in business as well, working together for over 50 years as the owners of the State Bank of Florence (now known as Great North Bank), an independent community bank. He was a fierce advocate for small business and community banking. A long-time member of the Independent Community Bankers Association of Wisconsin, Tom served as its president from 1994 to 1996 and was selected as its “Community Banker of the Year” in 1997. He also served as a Director on the Board of the Independent Community Bankers of America from 1994 – 1998.

Tom was the consummate community organizer and sponsor, involved in many local events in Florence for decades. From building floats for parades, sponsoring sports teams, cooking for local festivals and fundraisers, to grooming snowmobile trails, Tom was the definition of involved.

He was a member of the Florence Business League, the Volunteer Fire Department and served an influential role in establishing the Florence Scholarship Foundation. For years he was active with the Shriners. After several years as “Big Al,” the clown, Tom’s children, Polly and Karl, occasionally joined him in costume at Shriner events. The loud squeaking of balloon animal practice sessions at the kitchen table could often be heard from the next county over.

At the family home on Keyes Lake, Tom loved spending summers with family and friends boating, waterskiing and gathering around campfires. He was always ready with extra hamburgers on the grill when unexpected--but very welcome--guests would arrive to join the fun. He especially loved evening boat rides with his grandchildren. On cool nights he’d leave the dock packed up with blankets, a cooler full of freezie pops, and a rambunctious crew, only to return with sleep-heavy heads on his shoulder as he carried them up to another day at Grampa camp.

Tom loved woodworking and home remodeling projects. Sawdust was a constant around the house he and Rochelle called home for more than 50 years. He was especially proud of his wood-paneled sunroom overlooking beautiful Keyes Lake.

After decades in the cold north, Tom and Rochelle traveled south and eventually became part of a new circle of friends within the Forest Glen golf community in Naples, FL. His nickname followed him to Florida, where the couple was known as Big Al & Ro—even emblazoning it on their golf cart. He leaves behind a wide circle of friends at Forest Glen. A follower of the Lord, he was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Florence, Wisconsin, and Marco Lutheran Church in Marco Island, Florida.

Born in Iron Mountain, MI in 1940 to parents Allen and Elsa (Miller) Wittkopf, Tom is survived by his wife, Rochelle and their five children, Amy (Ruben) Uribe, Will (Jen) Wittkopf, Tom Wittkopf, Polly (Chris) Noll, and Karl Wittkopf. He is survived by his 13 grandchildren, Victoria Uribe; Mackenzie and Zoe Wittkopf; Noah, Tucker, and Grace Wittkopf; Ally, Mikkey, Jack, Josephine, and Parker Noll; and Kaden and Luke Wittkopf. He is preceded in death by sisters Carla Laliberte and Gail Wittkopf and is survived by sister Lyse (Cary) Anderson.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral home, Florence, Wisc. The memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral home.

Donations can be made in memory of Allen Wittkopf - “Big Al” at Shriners Hospitals for Children or www://shrinerschildren.org.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Tom’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Florence, Wisc., to honor Tom’s legacy of life.