Dale L. Bittner, 69, of Hadar, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Dale was born on May 11, 1955 in Albion to Donald and Donna (Cavey) Bittner. He attended grade school at Sunnyside District, rural Albion and then graduated from Albion High School in 1973. He married the love of his life Jayne Klanderud on July 3, 1982 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Norfolk. After marriage the couple lived in Norfolk.

He later attended Sam Riggs Aerial School in 1984. Dale then established Dale’s Flying Service in 1984 and began his crop care by air services out of the Norfolk Regional Airport.

Jayne gave birth to daughter Lea in May of 1987 and later came Tiffany in April of 1990. The couple then moved to Hadar in 1992 and built their forever home in 1996.

In 2005, Dale owned and operated Big Daddy’s Chassis’ which he was still involved with both of his businesses until his passing. He loved working with daughter Lea at the flying service and preparing her to take over one day. He was proud and passionate to have passed his businesses onto the next generation. Dale loved speed, whether he was throwing people back in their seats flooring it down the highway in his favorite Nova, watching the Christmas tree turn from red to yellow to green at the drag strip, throwing dirt at the circle track, and most of all going 160+ MPH through the cornfields in his big yellow bird. As Dale got older, his racing passion was passed on to his daughter Tiffany and he loved being her crew chief. At one point, Dale and Tiffany raced five nights a week chasing a national title. A father-daughter racing team like none other, they had the best time together. Dale always told his “Tweety Bird” before heading out to race to “Be Smooth, Be Careful.”

Dale loved his family very much and couldn’t be prouder. He loved telling his girls “TMJ” when they needed something, because “that’s my job” as a father. He also enjoyed raising his herd of English Bulldogs, especially his boy “Tater” who passed away only a couple weeks before Dale.

Speaking of friends, Dale as not short on those. He had friends just about anywhere he went. He was a great story teller, had a contagious belly laugh, and loved talking with his hands. Many will miss the pep talks and fountain of knowledge Dale provided them. Even though Dale’s life was cut short, he packed a lifetime into the time he did have on this earth by loving hard, working hard, and playing hard.

Survivors include his wife Jayne Bittner of Hadar, daughters Lea (Brandon) Boldt of Norfolk, Tiffany (Ben) Blum of York and their daughter Bella, brothers Dennis Bittner of Primrose, Duane (Janet) Bittner of Alda, Danny (Deb) Bittner of Albion, and sister Diane Bittner of Inglis, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Donna Bittner, and his brother Donald Bittner Jr.

Casket bearers were Brandon Boldt, Ben Blum, Christopher Prater, Kyle Prauner, Dusty Poessnecker, and Jeff Brown. Honorary casket bearers were Gary Schuett, Delmar Pelster, Mike Preister, Lanny Arends, Kenny Arends, Mike Grudzinksi, Darrin Zanardi, Steve Gross, Rick Schindler, and Dave Haddon.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Norfolk with Pastor Lee Weander officiating. Following the funeral luncheon, burial was held at the Evergreen Cemetery, rural St. Edward.

Stonacek Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel. com.

Paid obituary announcement