Mary Bitsianes

HIBBING, Mary S. Bitsianes, 99, Hibbing, Minnesota, died January 31, 2018, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Chisholm, MN.  She was born on July 6, 1918 in Mason City, IA to Steve and Panagiota Bitsianes.  She was the oldest of four children.  She lived in Virginia, MN for 2 years then moved to Hibbing, MN where she graduated from Hibbing High School in 1936 and Hibbing Junior College in 1938.  She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1940.  She taught Home Economics in Floodwood, MN and Cloquet, MN for 6 years.  In 1946 she was appointed the first County Home Demonstration Agent in Carlton County and served 5 years.  In 1951 she moved to Pueblo, CO and served as County Home Agent for 12 years.  During a 9 month sabbatical, she earned her Master of Science Degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY in 1959.  She transferred to Yakima, WA as an Extension Home Agent in 1963.  In 1966 she returned to the University of Minnesota for refresher courses in home economics and student teaching before accepting the position as Head of the Home Economics Department at Simpson College in Indianola, IA in 1967.  In 1971 she returned to Hibbing to care for her aging parents and accepted a position at Hibbing High School as Head of the Home Economics Department.  She retired in 1976 to care for her Mother full time.

Mary was preceded in death by her infant brother in 1916, her Father in 1973, Mother in 1988, brother Gust, Minneapolis,  in 1990, nephew Steven Bitsianes, Minneapolis, in 2002, sister Eugenia (Jennie) Kappes, Havre, MT,  in 2007, and sister Evangeline (Lou) Murdock, Delta, UT, in 2009.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Maxine Bitsianes, Minneapolis, MN; a nephew, Michael Bitsianes, Minneapolis, MN; a nephew, John Kappes, Cleveland, OH; a nephew, David Kappes, Havre, MT; a niece, Debra Jean Murdock, Eugene, OR; a nephew, Douglas (Careen) Murdock, Delta, UT; three grand-nieces, Rita, Carmen, and Shannon (Seth Hoffman); three grand-nephews, Jarrod (Kristina), Wesley (Jacqueline), and Matthew (Abigail); three great-grand nieces, Madeline, Allison, and Joslynne; and two great-grand nephews, Ian and Luke; and a dear friend Carol Cackoski.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, 701 East 40th Street in Hibbing, MN with Reverend Timothy Sas and Reverend Radomir Plavsic officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.