Ardys Elaine (Plunkett) Bitting

Ardys E. Bitting, 81 of Beatrice died Thursday, June 20, 2019 in Lincoln, NE.  She was born August 14, 1937 southeast of Summerfield, KS to Donald and Josephine Plunkett. She moved into town about 1946 and she attended the Summerfield Public School until the 10th grade. Ardys played basketball in the 8th and 9th grade lettering in the 9th grade, “what fun”.  The family moved to Beatrice in 1951 and she graduated from Beatrice High School in 1955. Ardys married Guy Bitting on October 6, 1956 and they were married 42 years. Her brother-in-law said it wouldn’t last 6 months, “Ha Ha”. She worked in several cafe’s around Beatrice, the Paddock, Green Top Café, the Country Club and the Shamrock.  She worked at FormFit MFG for 22 years and 16 of those as supervisor.  Ardys attended real estate school receiving her license in 1997 and worked for Woods Brothers Realty for 17 years. She was on the Nebraska Real Estate Convention Committee and was treasurer for the Tri-County Board (Saline, Gage and Jefferson Counties) for many years.  Ardys considered her biggest accomplishments were marrying Guy and adopting her sister Donna, after their parents passed away. She was crazy about Nebraska Football “Go Big Red”.

Survivors include her daughter, Donna Leikam and husband Jeff of Wymore, NE; sister, Judy Basilio of Beatrice; granddaughter, Michelle Parde, her children, Macee and Jadyn Griffith of Beatrice, grandson, Bill Parde & special friend Tracey Harms and his children Bo and Blake of Beatrice, grandson, Tommy Osienger and Maknalli of Fairbury, NE, granddaughter, Dani Spellmeier and husband Scott, her children, Josie and baby Thor of Marysville, KS, granddaughter, Candace Jorgensen and husband Cody and baby Jorgensen of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law, June Weichel and husband Vern and their family of Plymouth, NE, many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Josephine (Mitchell) Plunkett; husband, Guy (7/25/98); granddaughter-in-law, Jeni Parde; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church of Beatrice with Pastor Ernesto Medina and Pastor Leah Lawson officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday in the chapel of the church.  Interment will be in Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. The body will lie in state at Harman-Wright Mortuary of Beatrice on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 8 :00 p.m. with the family greeting friends and relatives from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., then Thursday one hour prior to services at the church.  A memorial is established to the Bryan Heart Institute with the mortuary in charge. www.harmanwrightmortuary.com  Harman-Wright Mortuary of Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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