January 16, 1927 - October 4, 2016

Lee Orin Bitner, 89, of Shell Lake died Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at his home. He was born January 16, 1927 in Elmo Township, MN to Charles and Ellen (Cooper) Bitner. Lee lived on the farm until he was 16 and attended and graduated from Mora High School in 1945. After high school, he worked as a carpenter and enlisted in the US Coast Guard during WW!!. After the war, he attended the University of MN and received his B.A. in Forestry. He then became a forest ranger with the US Forestry Service and serviced in Ely, Mora, and Virginia MN, Fredericktown, MO and Baldwin, MI. Lee retired from the forestry services after 20 years. After he retired, Lee moved to the Spooner/Shell Lake area until his death.

Lee is survived by many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 7 sisters and his wife.

Graveside memorial services will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Spooner with Pastor John Sahlstrom officiating. Military Honors were accorded by Wisconsin Military Honors Team and the Shell Lake Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Washburn Humane Society would be appreciated.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:55 pm CST