Leon Bitker

Leon Bitker, age 73, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Friday, September 8th, at Essentia First Care Living Center in Fosston. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23rd, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com.Leon Charles Bitker was born on November 27, 1943 in Ada, Minnesota to parents Leo and Edith Hitner Bitker. He graduated from high school at the Crookston AC.Leon was united in marriage to Patricia Miller on November 2, 1963. To this union, three children were born, Cheryl, Garret and Prudence. He farmed in Ada before attending Northland Technical College in Bemidji. After his graduation, he moved to Moorhead where he worked at Alloway and Versatile. He returned to Fosston and started Leon's Machine Works which is now known as K & L, Inc. Leon's passion has been making metal roses for the last few years and many refer to him as "The Rose Man".He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and Leon and Pat hosted eight exchange students at their home through the years.He is survived by his wife 54 years, Pat, of Fosston; three children, Cheryl (Kerry) Winkelmann of Fosston, Garret (Gayle) Bitker of Rochester, MN, and Prudence Shereck of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Tim Winkelmann, Katelyn (Bryan) Mesich, Gwen (David) Isaacson, Grace (Andrew) Luberda, Andrew Shereck, and Sami (Jesse) Lee.Also surviving are one brother, David Bitker; and two sisters, Debby (Bob) Peterson and Jill (Steve) Mickelson.He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Lois Miller; son-in-law, Les Shereck; brothers, Kelly and Donald Bitker and an infant brother.