Donna Marie Bittel, age 86, of Ellis, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026, in Ellis. She was born July 25, 1940, in Long Island, Kansas, to Asa and Marvel (Housden) Rogers.
Donna grew up in Long Island, where she worked alongside her sisters at the Rogers Cafe. She was active in school, participating in cheerleading and serving as a teacher’s aide. During her senior year, she served as class president and graduated as valedictorian of her class. On January 3, 1959, she married Harold Bittel in Densmore, Kansas. They shared more than 50 years of marriage before Harold preceded her in death on January 7, 2010.
Donna and Harold made their home in Hays, Kansas, where they raised their four children. They lived in Kansas City, Kansas for 7 years, near their son Doug, followed by Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they lived for 12 years near their daughter Debbie. Donna eventually returned to Kansas to be closer to Dennis and Deanna and her growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Donna worked for many years as an administrative assistant with Farmland Auction & Realty in Hays. She enjoyed gardening and ceramics and was a talented seamstress. She and Harold also enjoyed attending antique car and tractor shows throughout the years, often sharing these outings with their children and grandchildren.
Her faith and church communities were an important part of Donna’s life. While living in Hays, she was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. During her years in Albuquerque, she was a member of Saint Bernadette's Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was active in the Altar Rosary Society.
More than anything, Donna loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was the center of her life, and she treasured the time she spent with them, whether during everyday visits, family gatherings, or simply being together. Watching her family grow brought her great joy, and being close to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren remained deeply important to her throughout her life. She also dearly loved her dogs, Valentino and Maddie, who held a special place in her heart.
Donna is survived by her two sons, Doug (Lisa) Bittel of Basehor, Kansas, and Dennis (Sharon) Bittel of Ellis; her two daughters, Deborah (Douglas) Doerfler of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Deanna Leiker of Ashland, Missouri; her two sisters, Doris Nelson and Geraldine Loughry, both of Norton, Kansas; her sister-in-law, Mary Lies of Denver, Colorado; her brother in-law Charles Alexander of Norton, Kansas; her grandchildren, Aubrey (Ukiah) Bittel-Johnson, Cole (Anja) Bittel, Lacie (Danny) Haas, Logan (Courtney) Bittel, Adrian Doerfler, Alexandria Doerfler (partner Michael Courtland), Clinton Evans, Andrew (Mallory) Leiker, Sarah Leiker; her great grandchildren, Eleanor Bittel-Johnson, Addalyn Haas, Ainsley Haas, Karsyn Bittel, Layton Bittel, Briggs Bittel, Michael Hawkins, Olivia Leiker, Ethan Leiker, Ian Leiker, and Amelia Leiker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Asa and Marvel Rogers; her husband, Harold; her sister, Daloris Alexander; and her brothers-in-law, Phillip Loughry, Bill Nelson, and Ron Lies.
The family requests that memorials to be sent to the Hays Humane Society: https://hshponline.org/ or to Saint Mary’s Church in Ellis, Kansas: https://stmarysofellis.org/
Memories may be shared on Donna's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Homes-Ellis Chapel, 400 E. 17th, Ellis, KS 67637.