John W. Bitz

John W. Bitz, 76, Bismarck, was called home on May 4, 2019, at St. Vincent Care Center, Bismarck. He fought a long, hard battle with Parkinson’s disease and kidney failure which resulted in seven long years in dialysis.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Thursday, May 9, at Church of the Ascension, 1825 South 3^rd St., Bismarck.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Wednesday, May 8, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck.

John was born on June 2, 1942, in Burnstead, ND, the son of Joseph and Margaret Bitz. He was the third youngest out of ten children and grew up south of Napoleon on a farm. John married Sally Wanner on June 5, 1965, in Burnstead and the couple were blessed with two children, Mitch and Julie.

John worked for Burlington Northern Railroad for 20 years and retired from the railroad and started working part-time at Capital Place Rentals as a maintenance man, where he worked for 20 years.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with his family in the early years. He loved to work with his hands and fix anything around the house. He enjoyed frequent trips to the casino later in life.

John was active with Ascension Catholic Church where he ushered. He was a devoted Catholic.

John is survived by one son, Mitch (Patty) Bitz, Bismarck, and their children, Levi and Hunter Bitz; one daughter, Julie (Jim) Tormaschy, Bismarck, and their children, Cody, Kayla and Gracie Tormaschy; one brother, Alfred Bitz; one sister, Alvina Kluth; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leland and Suzanne Wanner; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty and Larry Halverson; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; his parents, Joseph and Margaret; brothers, Joe, Adam, and Leo; and sisters, Victoria, Rose, Isabelle, and Margie.