Advertise
Contact
Forms
EEdition
Freeman Courier


  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Photos
    • Photos Of The Day
    • Photo Galleries
  • South Dakota News Watch
  • Archives
    • More Archives
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Obituaries
    • Photos
      • Photos Of The Day
      • Photo Galleries
    • South Dakota News Watch
    • Archives
      • More Archives
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
‘Zeke’
Zeke Bittner
obituaries
By News Staff  
November 29, 2020

‘Zeke’ Bittner: 1948-2020

‘Zeke’ Bittner

Sichard “Zeke” Bittner died Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, S.D. Zeke was born Sieghard Bittner in Harxbuttel Germany on May 2, 1948.

Aided by the Lutheran Church, his family immigrated through Ellis Island on January 30, 1952 with his parents, Otto and Erna (Gatzke), older brother Reiny (Reinold) and young brother Gary (Gerhardt); they were sponsored by the Adolf Winter family and first settled in Beaver Creek, Minn. where his youngest brother Willy (Wilfred) joined the family.  From Beaver Creek they moved to Freeman, S.D. where the family continued to grow with the addition of four sisters, now known as Anita (Delvin) Schaeffer, Monica (George) Cokens, Velma Bittner, and Kathy (Georg) Storaker.  Zeke was confirmed and graduated from St Paul Lutheran School before graduating from Freeman High School in May 1966 and then he enlisted in the US Army and served two tours in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in May 1969.

The next chapter of Zeke’s life included marrying Sherri Sample in August 1969, becoming a Naturalized US Citizen in March 1970, and the birth of their daughter, Corina Bittner in December 1970, all while working at Haars Service Station and being the local Policeman in Freeman. He moved with wife and daughter to join the Capitol City Police Department in Pierre, S.D. in 1974 where he served many years and was the first motorcycle patrolman.

Zeke moved to Sioux Falls in 1984 and married Judy Pullman (Ulmer) in June 1986 while pursuing his Electrical Engineering degree from South East Technical Institute and graduating in 1987.  He worked at Raven Industries, Kmart, and Robson’s Hardware before retiring.  He enjoyed bus tours with Judy, tinkering in his garage, and playing with visiting grandchildren.

He is survived by wife Judy; daughter Corina Bittner with granddaughter Jordan Bittner; Judy’s son Scott Ulmer with grandson Vernon Ulmer and granddaughter Amber Ulmer; Judy’s daughter Melissa (Dwayne) Schmitz with sons Stephen (Carissa) Farland and Wade (Amanda) Farland; and great-granddaughter Chloe. Zeke was preceded in death by his parents; brother Willy; and niece Michelle Bittner.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. (CT) Friday, Nov. 27 at Miller Funeral Home – downtown, 507 S. Main Ave. in Sioux Falls, SD with full military honors presented graveside at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at 2:30 p.m. (MT) on Monday, Nov. 30.

Related Posts
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store


Editor’s Picks
Most Read
AREA WIDE CONNECTION TO CEASE OPERATION JULY 1
news
AREA WIDE CONNECTION TO CEASE OPERATION JULY 1
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 11, 2025
The Area Wide Connection, a free-distribution advertising publication of Second Century Publishing, Inc. that serves residents of Hutchinson, Turner a...
this is a test
SAARIE AND HIS STOLEN POLARIS RANGER; THE REPORT
news
SAARIE AND HIS STOLEN POLARIS RANGER; THE REPORT
By Jeremy Waltner 
July 5, 2025
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story will appear in print in the July 9 issue of The Courier. Three individuals have been arrested and are facing state felony ch...
this is a test
FOR GOOD
news
FOR GOOD
By Jeremy Waltner 
June 18, 2025
Freeman 39-year-old recognized nationally for her work as an adoption specialist with the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota — but this is not ab...
this is a test
ALL IN THE FAMILY
news
ALL IN THE FAMILY
By Jeremy Waltner 
July 1, 2025
Forty-two years ago, his Grandpa Ted took over Ferd’s Market and renamed it Ted’s Market. Ten years after that, his dad, Bob, took over Ted’s Market a...
this is a test
PHOTO OF THE DAY: STANDING WATER
photo day
PHOTO OF THE DAY: STANDING WATER
By Jeremy Waltner 
July 8, 2025
Emma Schoenwald and friend Evelyn Lafrentz found enjoyment in a ditch full of water not far north of their Dewald Street homes in Freeman Monday eveni...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Freeman Courier

Stay tuned with us

Accessibility Policy
Privacy
Forms

Copyright © Freeman Courier. All rights reserved.