Obituary - Lucille M. Bitz

Lucille M. Bitz, 101, died Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, at the Big Sandy Long Term Care.

Cremation has taken place and her memorial services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre with Pastor Sharon Robertson officiating.

Memorial contributions in Lucille's honor may be made to Big Sandy Medical Center, Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre or the Big Sandy United Methodist Church.

Lucille M. Oakland Bitz was born Jan. 1, 1914, in Great Falls, Montana, to Emil and Deedie (Huckberry) Oakland. She lived on the family homestead north of Simms, Montana, until school age, when the family moved to Great Falls. She received her education in Great Falls Public Schools.

Lucille worked for Strain Brothers, Sears and for Wheeler & Barnes Jewelry. She met Reinholt E. Bitz at a USO dance on Gore Hill, before Reinholt was deployed for overseas duties for 26 months. Lucille and Reinholt were married on March 28, 1946, at the Methodist Church in Great Falls. She and Reinholt had 100 percent approval from her family. After she was married, Lucille became a loving wife, caring mother and a farming partner with her husband.

Lucille and her husband farmed in the Conrad area for about four years, and in 1951 they bought a farm west of Box Elder. The couple lived on the farm and in Havre, Montana, until they retired in 2001. Lucille was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and a lifetime member of Van Orsdel Methodist Church in Havre.

Lucille is preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Deedie Oakland; and a brother, Fred, and his wife, Loretta, Oakland.

Lucille is survived by her husband of 69 years, Reinholt; a son, Richard (Vicki) Bitz of Missoula, Montana; and a daughter, Deedie (Garland) Nimmick of Box Elder, Montana; four grandsons; one granddaughter; 15 great-grandchildren; a niece, Joann Schnittgen of Havre; and a nephew, Gary Oakland of Billings, Montana.