John "Jack" Bittrich

John “Jack” H. Bittrich, 91, of Marshfield, WI passed away on February 25, 2023 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, WI. He was born in Baraboo, WI, the son of the late Henry R. Bittrich and the late Zella M. (Kasdorf) Bittrich. After graduating from Baraboo High School in 1949, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served in the Korean War as a Fire Control Technician Second Class on the USS Jenkins from 1950 to 1955.

     Following discharge, he studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating in 1960 with Bachelors degrees in English education and speech education. He went on to teach English, speech, theater, argumentation and debate, and TV broadcasting. His first and only teaching job was at Marshfield High School where he taught for more than fifty years, directing more than 100 plays and musicals. In addition to his work at the high school, John participated in dozens of theater productions at the then UW Wood County Center directing, acting, and designing and painting sets.

     Jack had varied interests. He was passionate about Native American history and culture, which directed his reading and travels. He enjoyed photography as well as drawing, and loved deer hunting (although it was suspected by many that he shot more pictures than deer in the woods). He filmed Marshfield Tiger varsity football games home and away throughout his teaching career, and also performed as a clown in dozens of Homecoming parades. Jack was a Boy Scout leader for Marshfield Troop 381 as well as Hewitt Troop 390. He also served as Ojibwe District Commissioner for BSA.

      Jack is survived by his partner in all his endeavors, his beloved wife of 52 years, Karen S. (Hilker) Bittrich. He was the profoundly proud father of three children; David (Amy) of Madison, WI, Elise (Nathaniel) Taft of Mount Horeb, WI, and Tyson (Ece) of Portland, OR. He was the loving grandfather to five grandchildren: Gabrielle Zella Taft, Carissa Sarah Bittrich, Louisa Simone Taft, Andrew John Bittrich, and Simon Ulysses Taft.

     Mr. B also loved “the kids” - the many he remembered fondly - whether they were in his classes, on the stage, in the stage crews, in the orchestras, on the football teams, artists whose talent he admired, or those “characters” he came upon in study halls, the lunchroom and the library. Mr. B also enjoyed the calls, notes and surprise visits on class reunion weekends from former students. Our family has been moved by the beautiful sentiments expressed in the texts, emails and cards from friends and former students.

     Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the hardworking and loving staff at Colonial Health and Rehabilitation and to the 8th floor staff of the Marshfield Medical Center Hospital who took such good care of not just John, but of our entire family.

     A Celebration of Life and Remembrance will be held on Saturday, May 6th at the Holiday Inn in Marshfield. The service will start at 1:00 pm and a reception will follow immediately after. Visitation will take place one hour prior to service at the Holiday Inn.

 Memorials can be directed to The John “Jack” Bittrich Memorial Scholarship for the Arts (theater, music, visual art, dance and creative writing) at the Marshfield Area Community Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John "Jack" Bittrich, please visit our floral store.