Obituary - Reinholt E. Bitz

Reinholt E. Bitz, 93, passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at the Big Sandy Medical Center's Long Term Care Unit.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre with Pastor Sharon Robertson officiating.

Reinholt's family has requested that memorials be made in his name to the Big Sandy Medical Center, Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, or the Big Sandy United Methodist Church.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Reinholt's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Reinholt was born Oct. 3, 1922, to Heinrich and Markareita (Quenzer) Bitz on their farm west of Box Elder. He grew up on the family farm and received his education in Box Elder where he played basketball, after which Reinholt served in the Civilian Conservation Corps for six months. He then worked different jobs until he moved to Bremerton, Washington, where he worked in the shipyards.

In November 1942, Reinholt enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving his nation for three years. He was stationed at Gore Hill in Great Falls, Montana, for a short time where he met Lucille Oakland at a USO dance, and said "that's the gal for me."

Reinholt was deployed for overseas duties for 26 months during World War II with the Air Corps.

When he returned from the service, Lucille met Reinholt at the train in Great Falls, and he and Lucille were married on March 28, 1946, at the First Methodist Church in Great Falls.

Reinholt and Lucille 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.

Reinholt was a 69-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a lifetime member of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre. He loved to fish and hunt. His favorite pastimes included cooking meals for others, making a great oyster stew, canning pickles, traveling with Lucille, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Reinholt is preceded in death by his parents, Heinrich and Markareita Bitz; his stepmother, Matilda Bitz; his wife, Lucille M Bitz, in September 2015; his siblings Hank Bitz, Alvina Conguergood, Albert Bitz, Mollie Bitz, Daniel Bitz, Jacob Bitz, Emanuel Bitz, Herbert Bitz, Martha Couch, Ruth Schwindt, Ora Reichelt, Virginia "Ginny" Wanner, Walter Klundt, Elmer Klundt and Ida Phillips.

He is survived by his son Richard (Vicki) Bitz of Missoula; his daughter, Deedie (Garland) Nimmick of Box Elder; his four grandsons; his granddaughter; 15 great-grandchildren; his siblings Esther Kane, Fred Bitz, Leo Bitz, Irene Holden, Russell Bitz and Sanda Kinsella; and numerous nieces and nephews.