Norma "Junie" June Bittiker

Norma "Junie" Bittiker, age 93, of Watertown, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the local hospital.  Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery.  Active urnbearers will be all of Junie’s grandchildren.  Pastor Scott Dempster will officiate.

Visitation will be held at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Junie was born on June 27, 1931, in Elwood, KS, to Walter and Leila (Porter) King.  She grew up in Elwood and graduated from Elwood High School with the class of 1949.  She went on to further her education by attended college in St. Joseph, MO, for business.  She went on to work her professional career as a secretary for several different businesses. 

While in high school, Junie met Wesley “Wes” Bittiker who would go on to be the love of her life.  The two were married on April 14, 1951, at Elwood, KS.  Wes served in the United States Air National Guard during the Korean War and was sent to Europe for his deployment.  During that time, Junie stayed in St. Joseph, MO. 

In 1955, the couple moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where they raised their family of three children; Melanie, Kelly, and Tara.  In 1980, Junie and Wes moved to Watertown, SD, where they built a home on Lake Kampeska.  The couple would take several trips Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Junie even went to Alaska in 2003 on a mission trip.  Wes passed away on October 3, 1996.  Junie continued to live on Lake Kampeska until 2017 when she moved into Jenkins Townview Apartments.  In 2023, she was admitted to Jenkins Living Center where she resided until her death. 

She was a very talented seamstress and made clothes for her girls and even made their wedding gowns.  In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and knitting.  While her daughters were growing up, Junie served as a Girl Scout Leader as her daughters were growing up in Sioux Falls, SD, and served as President of the PTA.

Junie is survived by her children, Melanie (Richard) Schmidt, of Watertown, SD, Kelly (Donna) Bittiker, of Arlington, SD, and Tara (Ray) Buzza, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and one brother, Ace (Norma) King, of St. Joseph, MO.

Junie was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley; parents; grandparents; and one brother Buford King.

Junie’s family would like to thank Prairie Lakes Hospice and the staff at Jenkins Living Center for their compassionate and loving care.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston, Oldham

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Norma "Junie" June Bittiker, please visit our floral store.