Benjamin Bittner, Hill City

Benjamin Reuben Bittner, 63, Hill City, formerly of Alpena, died Thursday, March 12, 2009, at Hospice House, Rapid City.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hill City High School Theatre, Hill City. Burial will be in Hill City Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home, Rapid City.

He was born on Aug. 11, 1945, in Huron to Rubin and Waneta Bittner.

He grew up on the family farm near Alpena and attended a nearby country school.

He graduated from Alpena High School in 1963.

He graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, in 1968 with majors in biology and business administration.

He earned a master’s degree in natural science from the University of South Dakota in 1973.

On July 16, 1967, he married Lois Heuer in Alpena.

In 1974, they moved to Hill City.

He taught in high schools in Artesian, Alpena and Rapid City.

He also was employed by Stan’s Feed Service, Alpena; managed Guarantee Abstract Company, Rapid City; and Hines Lumber Company, Hill City. He also did construction work in the Hill City area.

For the past 20 years, he built log camping cabins in campgrounds throughout the United States.

He is survived by his wife, two sons: Trent and wife Robin, Windsor, Colo.; and Troy, Raymond, N.H.; two daughters: Melanie Wiedmann, Box Elder; and Darlene Running Bear, Rapid City; four grandchildren, his father, Huron; three sisters: Betty Olson and husband Allen; and Barbara Noel, both of Huron; and Bonnie Kempf and husband Dave, Washington, Iowa; a brother and sister-in-law, Charley and Norma Najacht, Custer; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Tara Jean; and his mother.

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