Leo Frank Bittner

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, N.D., at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, for Leo Frank Bittner, 89, of Devils Lake, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sept. 12, 2024, at CHI St. Alexius Health in Devils Lake. Visitation will be from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 Rosary and prayer service on Friday, Sept. 20 at the church.

Leo was born Nov. 16, 1934, in Grey Township to John and Mary (Gartner) Bittner. He attended school at Grey Township Consolidated School until 1948. His parents moved to Clyde, N.D., in the fall of 1948, and he graduated from Clyde High School in 1952. He attended Wahpeton College for Diesel/Gas Mechanics and Welding. He was drafted into the Army in April 1957 and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. He was discharged in 1959 and returned to farm with his brother, Ken.

In 1960, he met the love of his life, Lillian Messner, and they were married on Nov. 10, 1960, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, N.D. They farmed until 1995 when they moved to Devils Lake. In the winters, Leo and his brother, Ken, ran the Polaris Shop in Clyde, which provided endless hours of snowmobiling fun for his kids. Leo loved to be involved in the community. He was a hunter safety educator, assistant scout master of Boy Scout Troop 99, and served on the Munich School Board as president for 13 of the 19 years he was elected.

They moved to Devils Lake in 1995, but he continued to help out on the farm and especially enjoyed running a combine in the fall. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for nearly 60 years, serving as both Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Leo was an avid gunsmith and skilled woodworker, and he created many works of art through the years. These hobbies fostered many friendships, as he greatly enjoyed visiting and getting to know his clients.

Leo was a faith-filled man of high integrity and cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He loved playing cards and taught many games to his grandkids. His little smirk and endless sense of humor will be missed by all.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lillian, his children: Larry (Tracy) Bittner of Chesapeake, Virginia, Dean (Heidi) Bittner of Devils Lake, N.D., Michele (Don) Schommer of Munich, N.D., Diann (Tim) Egeland of Grand Forks, N.D., Michael (Jennifer) Bittner of Thompson, N.D.; grandchildren: Brian (Kaylah), Megan (Collin), Jessica (Grant), Nicholas (Rachel), Natalie (Nick), Eric (Kathy), Jared (Kirsten), Trevor (Emily), Kelsey (Kelly), Brittany (Ethan), Mandi (Keenan), Ashley (Owen), Kaden, Declan, and Beckett; and 25 great-grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Alvin (Catherine), Elmer (De-Loris), Helen (Nick Schottenbauer), and Ken (Josie).

Gilbertson Funeral Home of Devils Lake is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Devils Lake Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund (www. nd-kofc-foundation.com).

Words cannot adequately convey our gratitude for the love, prayers and moral support shown to us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the cards, beautiful sentiments, memorials, floral expressions, and food given to us in memory of Leo. God Bless You!