Dan P. Bittner

Daniel Paul Bittner, 80, of DePere, Wisconsin, passed away on October 17th following a courageous and inspirational battle with brain cancer. He was extraordinarily loved by family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Dan was born on March 25, 1943 in St. Cloud, Wisconsin. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1961. It was in high school where Dan met the love of his life, Cathy. He attended St. Norbert College and graduated in 1965. He went on to earn his Master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Dan and Cathy were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac on November 28th, 1964. After earning an accounting degree from St. Norbert College, Dan was employed by Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. He began his career as an accountant, subsequently served as division accountant, later appointed treasurer, eventually served as Senior Vice President of Finance, and ended his career as the Chief Financial Officer until he retired in 2001, after 36 years of dedicated service to WPS. Dan was active in the community, tutoring as a part of the Adopt-A-Classroom Program for intercity schools with at-risk children, working with Green Bay Community Foundation, driving for The American Red Cross, and a board member at Curative Rehabilitation Center and United Way of Brown County.

Dan was a devoted Catholic and man of faith drawing strength from the Lord as he faced the challenges of life. His faith strengthened over the past few years as he experienced the challenges that came with the diagnosis of lymphoma cancer three years ago and then brain cancer last year. Dan was humble, generous, kind, full of gratitude, more concerned about others than himself and focused on the positives in life. He loved his family and friends, and adored his wife, Cathy. Together they were blessed with three children and nine grandchildren.

Dan worked hard, played hard, and was always up for a challenge and learning something new. In his younger years he played football and basketball. When most would think they were too old, he strapped on a snowboard and learned to embrace yet another sport. He loved biking, hiking, downhill skiing, snowboarding, woodworking, shooting pool and playing games of cards, dice or dominoes. He delighted in traveling and spending winters in Arizona after he retired. He loved the mountains surrounding Tucson, especially the Catalinas. It was a rare few who could keep up with him on a bike ride or a hike. He loved sharing those experiences with friends and family, whether we could keep up or not. He is famous for saying, “we’re almost there” and “just a little further” even when it wasn’t true. He looked forward to our family’s annual week at Whispering Pine Lodge on Pickerel Lake in St. Germain, Wisconsin where we have gathered for the past seventeen years. Dan was exceptionally fond of our family’s time together sitting around the campfire, eating peanuts, telling stories, laughing, playing games, pulling the kids around the lake and watching the grandkids play king of the raft. He especially enjoyed microbrewed beer and bourbon while laughing with friends and family.

Dan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cathy; his children, Dan (Holly) Bittner, Ellen Bittner, Jane (Kyle) Schuhmacher; 9 grandchildren, Brett Bittner (fiancé Claire Pelot), Maddie (Charlie) Noone, Mollie Bittner, Max Bittner, Anna Maynard, Ben Maynard, Drew Schuhmacher, Matthew Schuhmacher, Paul Schuhmacher; brother, Larry (Denise) Bittner; brothers-in-law, Joe (Susan) Hammang, Fred Borchardt, Mick Davies, Bill Halama; sisters-in-law, Beth Feldner, Sara (Dick) Diener, Paula (Bill) Hilbert; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dan was predeceased by his parents, Agnes & Ben Bittner; mother-in-law & father-in-law, Elizabeth & Paul Hammang; brother, Ron Bittner; sister, Mary Borchardt; brother-in-law, Paul Feldner; sisters-in-law, Louise Davies & Ann Halama; nephew, Ron Bittner, Jr.; and niece, Allison Bittner.

Family and friends may visit at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview, on Saturday, October 28, from 9:00am until 10:45am. Mass will follow at 11:00am.

A special thank you to all of those from Unity Hospice who walked beside our family through the past few months and final days of Dan’s life. Your gracious care and kindness are evidence to us of God’s love and provision.