Benny Bittner, 82, of Fort Dodge, Iowa passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022, at Friendship Haven, after a courageous battle against breast cancer.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 23 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Luke Fillmore officiating. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery.

Gladys Faye Hayes was born on October 10, 1939, in Flandreau, South Dakota to Walter Hayes and Berneice (Watling) Knutson. She was raised by her aunt and uncle Sada and Clarence Benson. Her nickname "Benny" originated from her adopted last name Benson. Benny graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1958. There she met her beloved best friends Sondra Thorson and Janet Portz. On September 21, 1963, Benny was united in marriage to John "Jack" Bittner. Together, Jack and Benny forged innumerable friendships. Benny's potluck club included friends from school and the community and provided her years of memories and joy.

Jack and Benny had four children, Jodi, Kerry, Jami and John. Benny's greatest joy in life was being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a full-time caretaker to her husband, children and grandchildren. Benny was the wife, mother and grandmother others wished they had. She lived her life each and every day according to God's will. Her generosity to family, friends and the community was truly unmatched.

Benny worked for Brooks Laundry and Wicker Jewelry, until retiring in 2008. She volunteered at both Riverside Methodist Church and Friendship Haven. Benny was an excellent cook and baker, avid bowler, expert garage saler, talented seamstress and cunning card player. Benny was a Lioness and an active member of First United Methodist Church.

Benny was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents, brother Don Benson, stepdaughter Julie Hrdlicka, in-laws John & Agnes Bittner, and Frank & Linda Bittner.

She was survived by daughters Jodi Koppold of Denver, CO, Kerry (Blake) Lowrey of Fort Dodge, IA, Jami (Rob) Shipley of Dayton, IA, son John (Julie) Bittner of Johnston, IA and stepdaughter Kris (Tim) Burns of Fort Dodge, IA. Additional survivors include grandchildren Jacob (Miranda Fite), Sarah (Grey Clarkson), Katie, Bailey, Brooke, Samantha (Tim Young), Zoey (Yoel Kifle), Carson, Ryann, Jack, Anna and great-grandchildren Elliot, William, Olivia and Matthias, niece Shan Ray and nephew Shawn Bittner and numerous other relatives and friends.