Bernice Mary Bittner

1923-2014

On July 14th, 2014, Bernice passed away peacefully at the age of 91 years old with her children at her side. She was being cared for at the Village of Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst Illinois by familiar staff and Vitas Hospice.

Bernice was born on May 9th, 1923. She was the youngest child of Herman and Elizabeth (Finncutter) Kristan. Her three siblings; Joseph Kristan, Anges Mahler, and Rita Madruh have all preceded her in death. As a youngster she lived on Victoria Street in North Chicago. She attended Holy Family Grade School and Waukegan High School.

Bernice was married to her high school sweetheart Clarence “Pat” Bittner on January 8th, 1944. Together they raised two children in North Chicago. In 1965, they moved to the northside of Waukegan. Bernice and Clarence enjoyed square dancing and ballroom dancing at the Swedish Glee Club. They would often practice their dance moves in the basement of their home on Walnut Street. Bernice and Clarence liked traveling to visit their son Bob and his family to whatever location the Air Force had stationed him at the time. Hawaii and Iran were among the destinations.

Bernice was a stay-at-home mom, but later worked in the Waukegan High School cafeteria. After the death of her husband Clarence in August of 1988, Bernice became a volunteer at the formerly Victory Memorial Hospital in Waukegan. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and playing pinochle with her friends. She could chat for hours on the phone with her daughter Joan and longtime girlfriend Dorothy Liedberg. She liked reading Danielle Steele novels and getting her hair done at the beauty shop. Bernice had been a member of St. Anastasia and St. Dismas Churches and attended mass regularly with Joan.

Bernice is survived by her children, Robert “Bob” Bittner (Christine) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Joan Steffens of Waukegan, Illinois. She has four grandchildren; Robert “Rob” Bittner, Jennifer (Roger) Ham, Timothy “Tim” (Heidi) Steffens, and Andrew “Andy” Steffens. Bernice also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Laney, Tallon, and Marley Ham, and Kendall and Chad Steffens.

Visitation for Bernice will be held at St. Dismas Church in Waukegan, IL on Friday, July 18th, 2014 at 9:00am followed by Mass. Bernice will rest next to her husband Clarence at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness on Bernice’s behalf.