Bette J. (Schroeder) Bitter, 81, of LaCrosse, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Locust Grove Village in LaCrosse.

Bette was born December 22, 1933 in Cornell, Wisconsin, the daughter of Roy and Lillian J. (Rufledt) Schroeder.  She grew up in Cornell and graduated from Cornell High School.  She was united in marriage to Samuel Bitter on May 20, 1977 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They made their home in Phoenix, Arizona for a few years before moving to Russell in 1979.   Sam preceded her in death on September 23, 2002.  She was a Foster Grandparent for many years.  She also operated the Sale Barn Café in Russell for over ten years.  She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church of Russell and the Ft. Hays Foster Grandparent Program.  She enjoyed quilting, sewing and cooking.

Surviving family include three sons, Michael Schuessler, Verne Schuessler and Scott Schuessler all of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter, Tammie Boreson of Phoenix, Arizona; step children, Roger Bitter of San Jose, California and Jana Anderson of Alta Loma, California; two brothers, Neal Schroeder and Charlie Schroeder both of Cornell, Wisconsin; sister, Dot Wilson of EauClair, Wisconsin; 11 grandchildren and two step grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Sam, son Jeff Schuessler and daughter Vickie Cano.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  A private family burial service will take place after visitation.  Memorials have been established with Locust Grove Village and the Ft. Hays Foster Grandparent Program.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.