Mark Bittner
January 3, 1951 ~ May 12, 2023
Born in:
Langdon, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Mark Howard Bittner of Fargo, North Dakota passed away on Friday May 12th 2023, from Parkinson’s disease.
Mark is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn Bittner and his children and their spouses and grandchildren Mike and Katie Bittner (Grady, Bodie, and Charlee), Amy Holm and Drew Gostovich (Sam), Gina Holm (Elle and Jersy), and Neva Holm (Kaden and Peyton).
Mark was born on January 3rd, 1951, in Langdon, ND to Howard and Helen Bittner. Mark is survived by his 5 siblings: Gay Webster, Kevin Bittner, Barb Schuler, Brad Bittner and Maureen Langer.
The following was inspired and partially written by Mark’s Grandkids:
Mark enjoyed family vacations, biking and watching his kids and grandkids play sports and activities. Over the years, he took his family all over the states in his green van and Palomino pop up camper. Mark and his family traveled all over from the Grand Canyon to the World’s Fair, the World Series, Disney, climbed the statue of liberty, toured the White House, and countless other vacations. Medora was a tradition for the family that continued with the grandkids and Mark went every year, even this past summer. A favorite family memory is every 4th of July when Mark would light up the sky with fireworks. He also had a really cool view from his hospital room. He especially liked watching the Minnesota Twins. Over the past few years, he couldn’t attend the games, but he still loved watching it on tv. He was hard working in everything he did and did so with purpose. Through his 25 years with Parkinson’s, he never gave up hope and fought every day of his life. He made the most of everything- he always tried to make things better despite his health challenges. Mark spent his life as a servant of God, a very kind man, and a great Grandpa. Oh, and I guess he also helped saved this city from a few floods.
Mark went to be with his heavenly father peacefully early Friday morning. God added his special touch, with the MN Twins on his television in the background. Surely, God met him at his gates with a glove and a ball, ready to play.
VISITATION: 5-7 PM Wednesday, May 17,2023, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Thursday
PRAYER SERVICE: 7 PM Wednesday at Boulger Funeral Home
FUNERAL MASS: 11 AM Thursday, May 18, 2023, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fargo
BURIAL: Holy Cross North Cemetery in Fargo
The family encourages you to attend in your favorite Twins apparel to the Wednesday visitation and service.
Mark always had hope that a cure for Parkinson’s would be found. He invested countless hours on research and was always trying the latest technology to improve his health. Even in his last month, he had hope that a cure would be found in his lifetime. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Michael J Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org and click donate on the upper right corner.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
With care, Tony and Dawn
Dear Marilyn and family… Mark and I go way back prior to him becoming the city engineer.. Mark was a very close friend to my predecessor and to me ..there were many projects that we worked on together for the Park District over the last 25 + years… Mark and I also played on the city league basketball team together… Mark had many talents… He was truly a gift from God and it was a real honor for me to work with him and call him a friend… your mission on earth is complete Mark…. we will miss you !!! you are now happy and healthy and in God’s arms… Sincerely, Roger G Gress
Mark was the hardest working, smartest and most loyal civil servant the City of Fargo ever had. He was a genius at figuring out the best ways to prevent flooding overcoming this city, whether from waters coming from the Red River, overland flooding or internally.
He also was a respected leader of the people who worked with him or for him.
He also had a great sense of humor.
It was only fitting that he passed on Yogi Berta’s birthday.
Marilyn and Family,
We are so sorry for the loss of your husband and loved one. I remember the day you and Mark married and you and the little “girls” were so happy as you begin your life together. I know all of you will miss, Mark.
We are thinking about you as you grieve the passing of your kind husband and loved one.
Hugs,
Chuck and Ramona Klein
My sincere condolences to Mark’s family. He was the kindest soul and a terrific engineer. I was proud to call him my friend and colleague. While I worked for Cass County, we crossed paths regularly while he was at the City. His flood knowledge was legendary. RIP, Mark.
Sincerely,
Ryan Erickson (Fire Dept)
Celebrate a wonderful life. I saw the strength of this man during the flood fight of 97 as a city commissioner. He was the strength of decision making in help saving Fargo. He never liked getting the credit, he just did his job. Prayers and thoughts to the family of this wonderful man. Rest In Peace.
Marilyn and family,
May comfort and peace be with you all. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him.
My deepest sympathies to all. Mark fought like a true warrior all while making memories with all of you that will last forever. I can only hope for God to give you strength during this most difficult time. Much love. Michele, Ryley, Malorie and Macy
Deepest sympathies Marilyn and family. Not only have you lost a wonderful husband/dad/grandfather, but Fargo has lost a faithful city engineer that delivered us from several Fargo floods. His dedication to his family and city is admirable. He fought the good fight and his reward will be great. Much love and hugs to the Bittner family.❤️❤️
My deepest condolences and sympathies to family and friends. Mark was wonderful to work with, someone we could trust. His guidance and leadership still greatly influences us today as we work towards flood protection of the City and people he worked for.
Mark was one of the finest, most selfless public servants I ever knew. Although he was central to Fargo’s flood fighting efforts, he always took time to give any aggrieved homeowner his full attention. Mark was also completely informed but very understated. When he spoke, everyone listened–very carefully. It was a pleasure to know him and to have had the chance to work together as friends.
Sincerest condolences to Mark’s family. Mark’s character and leadership extended well beyond the boundaries of Fargo. He likely never intended, and maybe never realized, what a role model and mentor he was to so many people; myself included. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. To his family, thanks for sharing him with us. Rest in peace, Mark.
Mark was always a pleasure to work with. He was a skilled engineer and leader but was not above considering other people’s ideas. He could get things done. In addition to that, and even more important, he was a genuinely good man to the core.
We will miss Mark and his positive attitude. I am saddened by his passing and extend my sympathies to his family.
Our prayers go out to the Mark Bittner family. Mark was a brilliant man. Watching Mark work on Fargo flood projects was reassuring. He was calm, asked the right questions and always came up with the right solution. Mark was steadfast. He used his abilities and knowledge to always put the long term flood protection of Fargo first, while understanding and showing empathy for those citizens that would be affected. Enjoyed our time with Mark watching our sons play high school baseball. His love for family was deep in his heart, and it showed ! Rest in peace Mark..
Being the same age as Mark, we crossed paths right when we got out of college. He was an inspector for the city and he was quite thorough. It was a learning experience for both of us as it was one of my first city projects and one of his early inspections. Even though I changed my direction to building construction, we remained good friends. We often would run into each other at city hall and would catch up on our lives. Mark would never dwell on his Parkinson’s. I admired his strength and belief that there would be advancements in this disease. I was blessed to have known Mark. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
to you, Marilyn and your family.
God bless you.
My sincere condolences to you Marilyn and your family. I worked with Mark during some of our worst floods as Cass County Emergency Manager and found Mark to be an extremely dedicated and effective engineer for the City of Fargo. His knowledge of flood preparations was without limits and carefully planned. It was a pleasure working with him and will always remember those troubling times as he worked tirelessly and remained calm to the end.
My sincere condolences to you and your family on Mark’s passing. I had the honor of being a classmate of Mark’s at Border Central school in Calvin, ND. Mark was always at the top of the class whether it be in academics or athletics. He was a friend to all who knew him. I was able to reconnect with Mark at meetings over the past few years. He never seem to change and his friendly smile was always there. He was a true professional and will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Sincere sympathy and prayers for peace for the entire Bittner family. Thoughts are with you at this time.
David (cousin) and Marie Johnstad