Kathryn P. Bitgood

Kathryn P. Bitgood

July 23, 1941 - December 20, 2021

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Obituary

MIDDLETON - Kathryn P. “Kathy” Bitgood, age 80, of Middleton, passed away on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, at BrightStar Senior Living. She was born on July 23, 1941, in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of John and Phyllis (Nordyke) Puvogel.


Kathy graduated from The College of St. Catherine in 1963. She married James Bitgood on Aug. 22, 1964, in Crailsheim, Germany. She worked as a teacher’s aide for the Middleton School District for five years. Kathy enjoyed the outdoors and was a naturalist. She and her good friend, Miriam Miller, developed the Wonders in Nature program for the Middleton Parks Department. They brought kindergarten-aged children for half days to explore the nature that can be found nearby in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy during the fall, winter, and spring.


Kathy is survived by her husband, James, of 57 years; two sons, Mark (Michael Gallagher) Bitgood and Jeff (Catherine) Bitgood; two sisters, Janette Klett and Jill DeMars; brother, Jack Puvogel; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Gregory Matthew Bitgood; two sisters, Marcia Reed and Nancy Puvogel; and brother-in-law, Nick Klett.


Services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday.


The family wishes to thank the staff of BrightStar and Agrace HospiceCare for their care and support given to Kathy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Kathy's name (https://pheasantbranch.org/memorial/). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Events

07
Visitation
Sat May 7, 2022 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
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07
Funeral Service
Sat May 7, 2022 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Get Directions

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PL
Peg Lyons
Other •
Kathy was a volunteer in my Kindergarten classroom for a number of years before I retired in 2006. She came once a week to help with our science program, supervising a small group of children doing all sorts of interesting experiments. She was great with the kids and her love of the the outdoors and hands-on experiences was evident. She helped the children pound nails, make homemade paper, do weaving, and much more always encouraging their curiosity and experimentation. We couldn't have run the program without her. A dear lady! Peg Lyons
MM
Miriam Miller
Other •
It is hard to combine a few sentences just what Kathy meant to me. We were first coworkers at Kromrey Middle school but through our shared experiences we soon became friends. I have fond memories of walking in pheasant branch, early morning summer swims at the Middleton pool , and numerous “life” chats over coffee. Kathy “Mrs B” really came alive when we worked together in the Wonders in Nature (WIN) program. “Mrs. B” took the lead and she was a wonderful teacher. Her knowledge and passion for nature impacted me and so many children and youth. I am grateful for all she has taught me. Mrs. M “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees”. Henry David Thoreau

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