Hilary Bitz

December 1935 - August 2026

Hilary Bitz peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus, August 2026, at home in Spokane, WA surrounded by family. Hilary was born at home in Logan County (Napoleon) North Dakota, in December 1935 to Mathias and Rose Bitz with his grandmother serving as the midwife. The very next day the men of the family loaded him up in a sleigh in the middle of a blizzard to have him baptized at the church 3-4 miles away! Hilary was to be the oldest of 16 children with 20 years between him and the youngest sibling. At the young age of 15 his parents drove him to Assumption Abbey 150 miles away, to begin his training to become a Catholic priest. He excelled in his education throughout seminary. His passion for the homeless landed him in a North Dakota jail as he posed as a homeless man demonstrating the prejudice against those who were in need. Hilary made another controversial move to leave the priesthood to become an ordained Lutheran minister. In 1973 he married Carol, embracing and adopting her children Terry, Lana and Dean. He adored Carol, saying “think of the most beautiful person you ever saw. Think of the exact moment you looked into his or her eyes and for a fleeting second you were paralyzed; you couldn’t take your eyes off that vision. You stared, frozen in time, caught up in that beauty.” His love for Carol continued for 53 years of marriage. In his 60+ years of ministry Hilary served in various churches in North Dakota, and the throughout Pacific Northwest from Anacortes WA to Portland OR. When Hilary wasn’t filling a pulpit, he served as a pastor at The Hearthstone senior living community and at Seattle hospitals. Ministry was a way of life for him and Carol. He single-handedly spearheaded a ministry to seniors living in a downtown Seattle apartment complex! He LOVED people!

In retirement, he loved to discuss theology and how well his tomatoes were growing.  He enjoyed music and dancing with his little dog.

He loved his whole family, right down to those precious great grandchildren and his whole face lit up holding them when they visited. While his family here on earth misses him and his joyful spirit, we are thankful he no longer feels the pain of this world, and he is dancing joyfully in heaven. And he is hearing our Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Hilary would encourage each of us to seek that same reward and say, “Peace be with you.”

Hilary is survived by his loving Wife Carol, children: Terry (Kathy) Bitz; Lana Bitz; Dean (Debbie) Bitz; Grandchildren: Jenna (Corey) Miller ; Lane (Kelsey) Bitz; Matthew (Shanna) Bitz; Peter Bitz; and 3 Great Grandchildren whom he adored; Siblings: Margaret Bitz, Fargo ND; Cecilia (Tom) Brown, Belleville, KS; Vincent (Marjorie) Bitz, Bismarck ND; Sebastian Bitz (Debbie - deceased), Napoleon, ND; Alex Bitz (Joan - deceased) Valley City ND; Richard (Zelda) Bitz, Washington, KS; Bernadette (Calvin - deceased) Johnson, Napoleon, ND; Monica (Gary) Geisinger, New Rockford, ND; Marian (David) Gates, Rapids City, SD; Preceded in death by siblings: Ferdinand (Mathilda), Blaine, MN; Leonard (Marcy), Napoleon, ND; Longinus Bitz, Bismark, ND; William (Donna), Napoleon, ND; Mathias, Jr (Janice), Valley City, ND; Sharon (George) Lawrence, Lakewood, CO.

An intimate graveside service was held September 16, 2026 – Spokane, WA

Scriptures that Hilary lived out:

“Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”

Matthew 25:40

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow”

1 Corinthians 3:6-9