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Berniel L. Tritt, 93, passed away at Aspire Senior Living in Oshkosh on Friday, November 1, 2024, following a battle with dementia. He was born to Gerald and Hilda (Schmude) Tritt on September 24, 1931. On December 1, 1951, he married Lorraine M. Brennand at St. Mary Catholic Church in Winneconne. They celebrated 68 years together until her passing in 2019.

Berniel left school at an early age to help Grandpa Schmude on his farm and then helped his father on the farm when he became ill. From there he began working for a local farmer and hauling milk, he often said the milk cans weighed more than he did. In the early ‘50s he served his country in the United States Army. After his service he began his career as a heavy equipment operator at Courtney & Plummer which became 4X Corporation and eventually Michel’s Corporation. Berniel quickly acquired his career long nickname of “Termite”. He was still helping out at Michel’s in his 80’s when they would ask him to cover someone’s vacation time and load tucks in the local quarry. Over the years he lived in different places, but most were the 50 plus years in the Town of Vinland where he served on the volunteer fire department for 18 years. Berniel farmed there with the help of the boys until they left home. He was an avid deer hunter and bowler, enjoying both well into his 80’s. After retirement Berniel helped Lee with his rental business as maintenance man. Later he became part of the pit crew with Lee Tritt Motor Sports.

Berniel is survived by his two sons, Scott Tritt and Lee Tritt; grandson, Evan Tritt; step- granddaughter, Amanda Sytek; and two step-great-grandchildren, Bradley Tritt and Zach Sytek. He is further survived by two sisters, Beverly Rehfeldt and June Smith; one brother, Delroy “Del” Tritt; sister-in-law, Gwen Bartels; and brother-in-law, Lester Brennand.

Berniel was preceded in death by: his wife, Lorraine; parents, Gerald and Hilda Tritt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lester and Catherine Brennand; sisters, Elaine Collins, Carol Hinz, Janet Ticks, and Arleta Tritt; brothers, Gerald Tritt and Sherden Tritt; sisters-in-law, Carol Brennand, Catherine DeWitt, Irene Brennand; brothers-in-law, Lloyd Collins, John Hinz, Edward Rehfeldt, Harry Smith, David Brennand, Vern DeWitt and James Bartels.

Berniel’s family would like to thank the staffs of AseraCare Hospice and Aspire of Oshkosh for their care over the last years.

A visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church 900 Geiger St. Neenah. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 12:00 noon at the church with Fr. Bob Kollath officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Oshkosh.

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family. If you wish, please submit online condolences/memories to muellerfh.net.