September 10 1929 November 3 2022
Obituary Please share a memory of Marion to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. View Tribute Book Marion Landauer Bittner – a woman whose intelligence, grace, class, beauty and style stopped many in their tracks – died on Thursday, November 3. She was 93. Her adventure-filled life, one that often elicited the response, “She should have written a book,” started on September 10, 1929, in Rülzheim, Germany where Marion was born. She lived there with her parents Erna Katz Heilberg and Salomon Landauer until they were forced to flee to the United States to escape the Holocaust. They arrived in New York City in July of 1935, and settled in Natchez, MS, where Marion attended elementary and high school. The story of her early years in Natchez might sound familiar to many who immigrated to the United States during that time. Marion and her parents lived in the same house with her aunt, Flora Katz Heilberg and her uncle Sali Heilberg, who also immigrated from Germany, and their two sons Ernest and David Heilberg. Also living close by were her aunt Hede Katz Levy, her uncle Ernst Levy and her cousins Gert and Doris Levy. Marion, Doris, David, Ernest and Gert may have been cousins, but they were thick as thieves and could have been mistaken for brothers and sisters as they helped each other navigate a new, foreign land. As the valedictorian of her high school class, Marion always described herself as a bookish teenager. While her peers received awards like “best legs” or “best eyes,” Marion proudly recalled more than once that the student newspaper stated “the ideal girl would have a brain like Marion Landauer.” She attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she graduated in 1952 and met the love of her life, Michael Bittner. The young couple initially settled in Michael’s hometown of East Chicago, IN, where Michael developed a successful architecture practice and Marion ran the household with four energetic children. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, Marion also taught English Literature to high school juniors at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, IN, from approximately 1968 to 1973, where she was able to have a positive influence on the lives of many young students. Eventually Marion and Michael relocated to Munster, IN. In spite of her many accomplishments, it is noteworthy that Marion was able to go through life without ever having a driver’s license. Of course, all necessities in East Chicago and Munster (school, church, synagogue, post office, grocery store, city parks, and Mike’s office) were all within walking distance. This provided great opportunities for the young family to get in their daily steps. Marion’s story wouldn’t be complete without the tale of her marriage to Michael. Marion came from devout Jewish parents, while Michael came from a devout Catholic family. Family members on both sides were initially opposed to their interfaith marriage. However, after time, their mothers adjusted to the idea and ultimately became the best of friends. Through their dedication and devotion to one another, Michael and Marion eventually won over all doubters with a loving marriage that lasted 46 years until Michael’s death in 2001. Through that union her children observed and learned the joys that could result from relationships filled with love, acceptance, respect and a mix of vibrant traditions. In addition to being a tremendous role model, Marion was an avid reader, a fashionista, and a stellar baker who brought much joy to her husband and children in the kitchen where she lovingly baked her family’s favorites – apple pie, strudel beyond what any bakery in the area could muster and her scrumptious chocolate chip chiffon cake. The Bittner children, their descendants and friends have searched as far as Egypt, Cambodia, Morocco and Australia for silver dollar pancakes like hers, but report with great sadness that their efforts continue to be fruitless. In these ways, and many more, her shoes will always be difficult ones to fill. She will be missed greatly, loved forever and admired always. Marion leaves four children, Bruce Bittner, Mark (Gabriella) Bittner, Michele (Stuart Pettigrew) Bittner, and Lauren (Frank Severino) Bittner, three grandchildren, Ahndrea (Ryan) Van Den Elzen, Katie Bittner, Kristi Bittner, three great grandchildren, Andrew Van Den Elzen, Charlie Van Den Elzen, and Edward Van Den Elzen, and two nephews, Rick (Laura) Heilberg and Maurice Heilberg, in addition to many cousins spread throughout the United States. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marion’s name to Hospice of the Calumet Area, 511 Otis Bowen Dr, Munster, IN 46321. To send flowers to the family of Marion, please visit our floral store. Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marion Landauer Bittner September 10 1929 November 3 2022.
Burns-Kish Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Hammond, state: Indiana