BITTNER, Richard L.

BITTNER, EICHLER, NIXON, STYKEL

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 1/11/2009 at 20:27:18

Richard L. Bittner

Richard L. Bittner, 61, of Cherokee, Iowa died Monday January 5, 2009 in the Careage Hills Nuring Home, Cherokee, Iowa following a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday January 8, 2009 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cherokee, Iowa. Rev. Armand Bertrand will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cherokee, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Greenwood Funeral Home, Cherokee, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Rick was born on March 24, 1947 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Jim and Evelyn Bittner. He attended grade school at St. Columbkill in Varina, Iowa. After the school closed he attended Pocahontas Catholic School and graduated in 1965. In high school he participated in choir, basketball, baseball, and track. After his schooling he joined the Army Reserves. Following boot camp, he was stationed under the command of his father in Sac City, Iowa. Rick retired after 22 years with the Army Reserves. In September of 1967 he began his career with Wilson Foods in Cherokee, Iowa. He retired in 2001 due to his health. Rick married Pat Eichler on March 29, 1969 in Pocahontas, Iowa. They made their home in Cherokee for 34 years, and then moved to Meriden, Iowa in 2003. They have three daughters, Jeanna, Jodi, and Lindi.

Rick enjoyed many things including cooking for his family and friends. He also loved to watch all sporting events. He was a die hard Chicago Cubs fan. In his younger years he participated in recreational fast-pitch softball, bowling, basketball, and hunting wild game. More recently he loved watching his grandchildren in athletic events, especially the Aurelia Bulldogs.

He is survived by his wife, Pat, of 39 years; daughters, Jeanna Bittner of Omaha, NE; Jodi Nixon of Aurelia, IA; Lindi Bittner and her fiancé, Todd Stykel, of Cherokee, IA; grandchildren, Zachary, Derek, Madison, and Emily; his mother, Evelyn Bittner of Pocahontas, IA; a brother, Barry Bittner and his wife, Marlene, of Storm Lake, IA; his cherished cats, Bonnie and Clyde; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.