Patricia (Wahl) Bitzan, St. Cloud, 87

January 21, 1927 - September 6, 2014

Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:30 PM Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, St. Cloud for Patricia (Wahl) Bitzan, 87, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 6, at the St. Cloud Hospital, with her family at her side. Rev. Timothy Baltes, and Rev. Thomas Wahl, OSB will officiate, entombment will be in Assumption Mausoleum, St. Cloud. Friends and relatives may call from 5:00-8:00PM on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud and after 11AM until the time of Mass Wednesday at the church in St. Cloud.

Patricia was born on January 21, 1927, to Art and Ramona Wahl in St. Cloud, MN. She was a graduate of Cathedral High School and attended the College of St. Benedict. Pat married Don Bitzan, the love of her life, on October 27, 1947. They enjoyed 67 years together — raising a family of seven children, and celebrating 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In 1965, they started a new business together, DJ Bitzan Jewelers. In 1966, Pat experienced a miracle of healing through the intercession of Blessed Columba Marmion. Her family will be forever grateful for this gift. Pat devoted her life to her family and friends. She was a humble volunteer, especially dedicated to the Meals on Wheels program and volunteering at the St. Cloud Hospital. She was proud to have served as a member of the Hospital Ethics Board. She loved travel, dinner with friends, and beating those she loved at the card game, Spite and Malice. Pat was a passionate, faith-filled woman who lived life to the fullest. A sports enthusiast, she was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins, but an even bigger fan of her children and grandchildren, serving as coach, mentor, teacher, cheerleader and friend. One of the greatest lessons she taught her children was to be of service to the world.

Pat is survived by her husband, Don, and her children Mike Bitzan (Sheri) of Avon MN; Mary Kerber (Tim) of Sherwood, Oregon; Eileen Bitzan of St. Cloud, MN; Dick Bitzan (Mimi) of St. Cloud, MN; Joan Mullaney (John) of Eagan, MN; Deb Bitzan of St. Cloud, MN; John Bitzan (Jeanine) of Moorhead, MN; her brothers, John Wahl (Irene) of St. Cloud, MN; and Tom Wahl, OSB, of Japan; and her sister-in law, Donna Kockler of St. Cloud, MN, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Betty Wahl Powers.

The family expresses profound gratitude to those who cared for Pat during her last days, especially Dr. John Mahowald, Patty Stang, Fr. Mark Stang and the staff at St. Cloud Hospital and St. Benedict's Center Short Term Stay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Cause of Abbot Marmion or Cathedral High School.