Elsie Bittel, age 85, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital, Long Term Care, WaKeeney.  She was born February 21, 1933, in Park, Kansas, to Edmond Cecil and Helen Margaret (Gallagher) Goetz.

Elsie was united in marriage to Wilbur Bittel on January 7, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Park.  They enjoyed 37 years of marriage, until Wilbur's passing on February 10, 1993.  Elsie was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney.  She cared deeply for her family, and was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Elsie was very giving of her time and was always willing to help those in need.  To say she was intelligent would be an understatement.  Elsie was very good with numbers; she was the bookkeeper for the family farm, and did oil field production reports for the company Wilbur worked for.  Anyone who knew Elsie could speak of her incredible work ethic.  Her kindness and nurturing spirit will remain in the hearts of many.

Those left to mourn her passing include her children, Kevin Bittel and wife Sandy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Toni and husband Mark Hotzel of Bloomington, Illinois; grandchildren, Kyle Bittel and wife Brittany of Windsor, Colorado, Katie and husband Tyson Wallace of Highlands Ranch, Hannah and Sarah Hotzel, both of Bloomington; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Korbin, and Porter; brothers, Bill Goetz and wife Laura of Oakley, Kansas, and Gary Goetz and wife Donna of WaKeeney; and sisters, Delores Deines of WaKeeney, and Patsy Radcliffe of Ohio.  She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Lance; and siblings, Virgil "Jim" Goetz, George "Bud" Goetz, Charles Goetz, Marlene Fahay, and Helen "Sean" Leiker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS.  Private family burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, St. Peter, KS.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening, from 5 to 7, with a parish vigil following at 7 p.m.  All will take place at the funeral home in WaKeeney.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions are suggested to the Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation (to benefit the long term care unit).  Donations may be left at the visitation, service, or sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12 ^th , WaKeeney, KS  67672.

CONDOLENCES MAY BE LEFT FOR THE FAMILY.  ENTREES ARE SCREENED FOR SPAM BEFORE APPEARING, SO WILL NOT APPEAR INSTANTLY.  PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY ONCE.