Joann D. Bittner

JoAnn Gilbert Bittner, 94, formerly of Lake Geneva, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Born on July 11, 1930, in South Bend, Indiana, JoAnn grew up in Gary, Indiana, where she graduated from Lew Wallace High School. She later attended Carthage College, where she met her college sweetheart, Rudy Bittner. They married on July 9, 1949, and together raised five children in Lake Geneva.

JoAnn and Rudy worked side-by-side to grow Bittner’s Bakery on Main Street in Lake Geneva, a beloved family business. In later years, JoAnn and Rudy were partners in a Wausau Homes franchise for Southern Wisconsin and managed commercial properties in Lake Geneva and Iowa.

A gifted artist, JoAnn was known for her incredible artistic talent, creating beautiful window paintings for the Lake Geneva Public Library and First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Her portrait of Kaquados, the grandson of Chief Big Foot, is proudly displayed at the Lake Geneva City Hall. Her artistic contributions were recognized by many blue ribbons and accolades from the community.

Even in retirement, JoAnn's energy never waned. She lent her keen eye for fashion to Fit for a Queen, a women’s clothing store in Lake Geneva, where her sense of style and color made her a trusted advisor and helped attract many loyal customers.

Above all, JoAnn was a devoted mother, always putting her family first. Despite losing her own mother at an early age, JoAnn’s strength, compassion, and resilience shone brightly as she helped raise her younger sibling and provided a warm and loving home for her children. Her compassion extended beyond her family—she had a special gift for seeing beauty in things that others might overlook, like choosing the Christmas tree no one else wanted because it was too scrawny or deformed.

JoAnn’s memory will be forever cherished by her five children: Richard "Rick" Bittner (Millie), Charlotte Castleberry (Guy), Sandra Ehmer (Ron), Elisa Larson (Dave), and Jennifer Snead (Jason). She is also survived by two sisters, Bonnie Adams and Nancy Mast, and eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A private family memorial service was held during the last week of October 2024 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lake Geneva, WI, where JoAnn was laid to rest with her beloved husband, Rudy.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the caregivers at The Lutheran Home for the love and care they provided to both JoAnn and Rudy over the past five years.

JoAnn’s life was a testament to love, family, and the enduring power of creativity. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

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Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva, WI is proudly serving the Bittner family.