Larry Joe Bitner

In the quiet town of Elkhart, Kansas, surrounded by the vast plains that he called home, Larry Joe Bitner bid farewell on February 18, 2024. A man whose life was intertwined with the rhythms of the land, Joe was born in rural Morton County, Kansas, on April 14, 1941, to his parents, James S. and Anna Marie (Voigt) Bitner. 

Joe's story unfolded against the backdrop of hard work and dedication to his roots. As a farmer and rancher in Morton County throughout his lifetime, he cultivated not just crops but a legacy of resilience and commitment. His love for the land was surpassed only by his devotion to his family.

 His hardworking nature echoed not only in the fields he tended but also in the loving care he showered upon his wife Betty (Johnson) Bitner of Richfield, Kansas, for 56 years. He and Betty married on December 15, 1967, in Elkhart, Kansas, and to this union were four children. 

Joe’s children – Casey and wife Debbie, Robin and husband Devin, Jessica and husband Matt, and Jodanna - were not just recipients of his wisdom but witnesses to a life lived with purpose. Through his gentle guidance and unwavering support, he instilled in them the essence of hard work and perseverance. 

In Joe's laughter and stories lies a treasure trove of memories cherished by all who knew him. His passion for fishing under the open sky, camping under a blanket of stars, and maneuvering a tractor through endless fields painted a picture of a man attuned to the simplicity and beauty of rural life.

As he bids adieu to this world, Joe joins his parents James and Anna, along with three brothers - James Bitner, Eugene Bitner, and Donald Bitner - and sister Sally Johnson in eternal rest. He leaves behind a sister Edith Bitner along with ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren who survive him. Casey's children are Brett Bitner and his wife, Amberlynn, Taylor Harn and his fiance, Brittany, Bailey Bitner and her fiancé, Angel, and Emmy Walker. Robin's children are Lane Aguilar and his fiancé Danica, Joshua Aguilar, and Aiden Marx. Jessica's daughter, Josie. Jodanna's children are Grace and Chase. 

Surrounded by love till his last breath, Joe Bitner leaves behind a tapestry of memories etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege to know him. In every blooming field and rustling breeze, his spirit shall live on—a testament to a life well-lived on the soil he called home.

A private service will be held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Robson Funeral Home of Elkhart. Memorial contributions can be made to  the Cimarron National Grasslands for their annual fishing derby.