White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Marian D. Bitterman, 91 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died of natural causes, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. – Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Independence, with Rev. Brian Moeller officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the White Funeral Home, Independence. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

Marian Dorene Reiter was born July 17, 1935, in Oelwein Iowa, the daughter of William Daniel Reiter and Bessie Bell (Fox) Reiter. She attended school in Hazleton, Iowa, and graduated with the class of 1953. On June 22, 1953, she was united in marriage to Clarence M. Bitterman at the Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein.

Marian was a loving and loyal wife, and a kind and accommodating mother. She knew when to be stern, but was always fair. Marian loved to fish, bake, and cook. When one of the children had a birthday, she made it a tradition to make whatever meal they wanted. Birthdays were important to Marian, and she made it a point to remember all of her family’s birthdays, often being the first one to make a phone call to wish you a “Happy Birthday.” She also loved to play cards. Marian and Clarence had many card parties over the years and enjoyed playing Five Hundred and Euchre.

Marian was a hard worker. While her children were young, she canned countless foods from the garden, worked at the County Home, took in ironing and provided daycare – all while teaching her children the value of hard work, determination, and treating others with fairness. After her children were older, she worked at the Mental Health Institute in Independence, in the dietary department, and retired after more than 20 years. Marian was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence and served on many committees and helped with countless funeral dinners over the years. She also was a very active volunteer in the community, helping at the Buchanan County Health Center Auxiliary gift shop.

Marian is survived by 3 sons, Robert (Marlys) Bitterman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gerald (Rhonda Ramler) Bitterman of Manchester, Iowa, and Steve (Rhonda) Bitterman of Independence; 2 daughters, LuAnn Sand of Independence and Sheri (Keith) Hartkemeyer of Elberon, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 7 step-grandchildren; 18 step-great grandchildren; one sister, Janice (Allan) Seemann of Independence; 1 sister-in-law, Doretta Brandhorst of Waterloo, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Marian is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence; one sister, in infancy, Bonita “Bonnie” Reiter; a son-in-law, John Sand; a brother-in-law, William James Brandhorst; and a sister-in-law, Dolores (Robert) Aery.

Memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.
White Funeral Home, Independence, Iowa, is caring for the family.