Joan “Jo” Bittinger, age 88 of Benedict, NE, passed away Friday, September 4, 2026. She was born on September 28, 1937 to Reinhart “Roy” and Elma (Nierman) Heiden in rural Benedict, NE. On September 29, 1963, she was united in marriage to Charles “Bud” Bittinger at the former St. Paul Lutheran Church north of York.
Joan was a faithful member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. She was always active and, on the go, she also enjoyed growing flowers and baking cookies for those she loved. Above all else, she treasured spending time with her grandchildren and loved attending their many activities. Joan truly never met a stranger.
She is survived by her children Calvin (Teresa) Bittinger of Stillwater, OK; Clay (Jackie) Bittinger of Henderson, NE; Cheryl (Mike) Wiemer of Lincoln, NE; Carolyn Sue (Joe) Simmons of Orange, TX; and Steve (Lynn) Bittinger of Houston, TX. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Lowell, four sisters-in-law, and grandson Travis.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York. Burial will follow in the York’s Greenwood Cemetery. It was Joan’s wishes to be cremated, so there will be no viewing. However, a signing of her book will be held from 1-8:00 pm Friday, September 18 with her family greeting friends from 6-7:30 pm that same evening, all at the mortuary in York. Memorials may be directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Relay for Life.