Lorene Joan Bitz
November 28, 1918 - November 24, 2002
Lorene J. Bitz, age 83 of Grey Eagle, died Sunday, November 24th at her home from complications due to multiple myeloma. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 27th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. Rev. Arlie Sowada will officiate with interment at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Ward Springs.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle. Christian Mothers will pray at 7:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m.
Lorene Bitz was born November 28, 1918 in Grey Eagle Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Nicholas and Mae (Pluth) Berscheid. She moved to Minneapolis where she met and married Milton Bitz on May 30, 1942 in Grey Eagle. She returned to Grey Eagle while Milton was in Germany during WWII, and then lived in Minneapolis and Hopkins until 1955. She once more returned to Grey Eagle where she and Milton owned and operated the Little Birch Resort and Bitz Hardware in Grey Eagle. Beginning in1974 they spent their winters in San Juan, TX. She enjoyed her family, especially the grand and great grandchildren. She would play cards at the drop of a hat and usually beat you. Lorene was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle, Christian Mothers, Grey Eagle Senior Citizens and an RSVP Volunteer.
Survivors include her children, Carole Austing of Grey Eagle, Darlene Moritz and her husband, Albin of Sartell, David Bitz and his wife, Lorraine of Grey Eagle, Stephen Bitz and his wife, LaVonne of Grey Eagle, Kevin Bitz and his wife, Nancy of Grey Eagle, Mary Rohde of Clara City, Jeanne Wilber and her husband, John of Melrose; 26 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren; sister and brothers, Dorothy Jacobs of Grey Eagle, Clarence Berscheid and his wife, Viola of Melrose, Edward Berscheid and his wife, Rosie of Sauk Centre.
Lorene was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Mae Berscheid; husband, Milton Bitz on February 12, 1994; two grandsons, Spencer Austing and Lawrence Bitz; brothers, Julian, Arnold and Donald Berscheid; son-in-law, Ervin Austing.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
Serving as casket bearers will be Christine Moritz, Joe Bitz, Stuart Austing, Micheal Bitz, Jeff Baird and Shalon Wilber. Serving as cross bearer will be Ryan Bitz.
Arrangements are with Patton-Schad Funeral Service of Grey Eagle.