Jennifer Louise Bitner

Jennifer Bitner has passed away after a short struggle with bladder cancer. She was born on June 1st 1970 in Marshfield, Wisc., daughter of Thomas E. and Jean (Ronchi) Bitner.

Jennifer graduated from the hearing-impaired program at Wausau West High School in 1988. Although Jenny suffered from numerous health issues, she was a bright light to all who knew her, and she will be missed by those close friends and family members whom she enjoyed spending time with.

Jenny was a world traveler, during her lifetime she journeyed to all fifty states, many of them several times. She also traveled to five continents, taking several trips to Europe to visit with families in both Italy and Finland where she made lifelong friendships with long forgotten relatives. One of her favorite trips was to Australia and New Zealand where she was able to hold a koala bear and enjoyed the other exotic animals of that region. Several of the trips resulted in unique experiences such as rafting down the upper Colorado River, meeting the real Maria Von Trapp, shaking hands with Jimmy Carter in Plains, Georgia and being in the same restaurant as her music idol, Jon Bon Jovi.

Jennifer's love of popular music was unmatched by any of her friends. Despite her hearing loss she had a fanatical and diverse love of music. Her taste changed with the passing decades. During the 70's, it was the Sound of Music plus Happy Jack by The Who music group. She was soon an avid fan of Cheap Trick and The Police. She also enjoyed Def Leppard, Guns and Roses and Sting. She attended numerous concerts during her short lifespan. She was an ardent fan of Bon Jovi, who she would listen to during her later years.

Jennifer was also an active member of the Marshfield Lions Club for several years.

Jennifer is survived by a loving brother, Thomas; her father; her partner, Richard Savage; and her step-mother, Carole Radeztsky along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Her mother predeceased her as did her maternal and paternal grandparents.

No service is being planned; however, a Celebration of Life will be held on October 25th in the Everett Roehl STEM Building at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Campus in Marshfield (2000 West 5th Street, Marshfield, Wisc.) between the hours of 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.

We wish to thank St. Croix Hospice staff; Inclusa staff members, Lizzie and Kristen; and a special thank you to Kara Adams for the excellent care given to Jennifer during the last years of her life, but most significantly, I wish to thank her brother who always provided care, encouragement, and support throughout her life.

The family is being served by Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Messages of comfort can be shared at www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.