Margaret Bittenger

Margaret Bittenger, 81, of Winterset, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 17, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset. Burial for both Donald and Margaret Bittenger will follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Oak Grove Church or Madison Square and online condolences may be left at ochiltree.com. Margaret Joann Bittenger, daughter of Homer and Grace (Morse) Osborn, was born January 3, 1936 in Madison County. She attended schools in Madison County. Margaret was united in marriage with Donald Bittenger on Dec 16, 1962 at the Webster Church in Madison County. The couple moved to Japan and then California, where Don was stationed in the Navy. They later moved to Maryland where Margaret ran a world renowned cake decorating business, and was featured in a Who’s Who Magazine for cake decorating. The couple retired in Winterset. Margaret was a member of the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries and the Oak Grove Community Church. She enjoyed crafts, embroidering and volunteering in her free time. Margaret was a member and past president of the Maryland I.C.E.S. (International Cake Exploration Society). Her cake shop was her life and she had a true passion and pride for her cakes, candies and teaching future generations the trade. Above all else, Margaret was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who cherished the time spent with her family and friends. Margaret is survived by two daughters, Cherita (Ed) Snyder of Winterset and Trish Bittenger of Winterset; sisters, Darlene Eckstein of Winterset and Dorothy (Larry) Beebe of Dallas Center; brother, Dennis (Linda) Osborn of Texas; five grandchildren, Chad Snyder, Monica Smith, Karri Athea Ammann, Bryan Snyder, and Megan Crone; seven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Grace Osborn; husband, Donald Bittenger; daughter, Sandie Welcher; grandson, Justin Crawford; sister, Diane Kerr; brother, Walter Osborn; and brother-in-law, James Eckstein.