Karl C. Bittenbender
Karl C. Bittenbender
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Karl Bittenbender Obituary
Karl was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Arlington, VA, where he met Doris Hovgren who later became his wife of 58 years until she died in 2021.
Karl attended the University of Idaho, served in the Navy on the Observer and then attended the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Karl has been a part of the town of Orange for 60 years, first arriving as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church.
After his time at Bethany, Karl worked in rural housing improvement, energy conservation, the chamber of commerce, Shawmut Bank and a small business accounting support company.
Around his jobs, Karl undertook deep involvement in the community, elected to the school committee, participating in North Quabbin Citizen's Advocacy, serving on the Randall Pond Industrial Corporation and the Orange Economic Development Corporation.
He was treasurer and served on the board of Quabbin Harvest Food Coop and was a Stinking Organizer for the Garlic and Arts Festival.
He volunteered and served on many other boards and committees as well.
Karl has a living sister, Joanne ("Josie") Bortree, who lives in Pennsylvania. He was pre-deceased by his younger brother Allan Hoschna Bittenbender.
Karl and Doris raised two children, Sheri Lynn Aggarwal, who is married to Rajesh Aggarwal and lives in Reading, MA, and Kevin Nels Bittenbender, married to Peggy Bittenbender who live in Alstead, NH. Kevin and Peggy's children are Gustave Hovgren Bittenbender, Beatriz Catherine Bittenbender and Georgia Doris Bittenbender.
The family is planning a memorial service at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, on December 6 at 3 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Quabbin Harvest, 12 North Main Street, or North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy, P.O. Box 362, both in Orange, MA 01364, or Lutheran World Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061
Peace to you all.
Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karl C. Bittenbender, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
David Singer
January 19, 2026
I just learned today of Karl's death. The news saddened me very much.
Karl and I had a long relationship of mutual respect and friendship. We worked together on many projects, and as a banker at Shawmut, Karl was the first to lend money to a fledgling land trust organization called Mount Grace Land Trust. His kindness and compassion were endless.
What I will remember about Karl is his warm and broad smile, his strong hug, his firm convictions and his ability to both advocate and empathize as a form of advancing his ideas. Karl brought grace to whatever he did. I will miss him. I know his community will miss him very much. My deepest sympathies to his family.
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Rebecca Caplice
December 4, 2025
For several years in the I worked with Karl at Shawmut Bank in the commercial loan department. He was so devoted to his customers! He always carried his customer files with him so he could be ready to complete loan transactions, even on a weekend or an evening.
Karl had a positive outlook on everything. He had an excellent sense of humor and he was always smiling and upbeat. I never saw him have a bad mood.
He will be missed by many.
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158 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364
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