Funeral services for Marlin Bitz, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota are at 10:30am, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, SD, with Pastor Nicole Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Marlin went to heaven on July 21, 2024 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, after battling cancer.

Visitation is 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday, July 26, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home.

Marlin was born on November 24, 1950, to Edwin and Anna (Heiser) Bitz at Eureka South Dakota. At the age of five he moved with his family to Aberdeen South Dakota. He attended area schools.

On May 8, 1971, Marlin married Phyllis Olek at Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. They had two children together and lived in Aberdeen before moving to Sioux Falls in 2012. He was employed as a machinist at a local manufacturing plant for 39 years before he was forced to leave the trade due to health reasons. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 862 for nearly 53 years where he served as the Financial Officer for 13 years and as Conductor, Trustee and Newsletter Editor for several years. He also served as a delegate to the Aberdeen Central Labor Union, South Dakota State Federation of Labor, the I.A.M. District Lodge 5, and the Joint Dakota States Council of Machinists where he also served as the Financial Officer for several years. He was a proud father, grandfather and union member.

One of Marlin‘s passions was automobiles. He especially liked street rods, classic, muscle, and sports cars and owned several of them. He enjoyed attending many car shows and Rod Runs with Phyllis throughout the years. He was a member of the Northland Strollers car club of Aberdeen, the North Dakota Street Rod Association, a former member of the South Dakota Street Rod Association and the National Street Rod Association.

Marlin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Phyllis, and his children: Mike (Shelley) Bitz and Brandon (Stephanie) Bitz, both of Sioux Falls; grandchildren, whom he loved: Tyler Bitz, Orlando, Florida; Carter Bitz, Mira Bitz and Andy Bitz all of Sioux Falls.

Preceding Marlin in death are his parents, Edwin and Anna Bitz; and sister, Shirley Mehlhoff.