Ruth Violet Bitter, 87, of Festus died Dec. 5, 2024, at NHC in Desloge. Mrs. Bitter enjoyed playing bingo, baking and spending time with family and friends. Born Sept. 5, 1937, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Duella (Bender) and Ervin Messmer.
She is survived by her husband: Gerald Bitter Sr. of Festus; seven children: Gerald (Joyce) Bitter Jr., Tammy (Robert) Friedmeyer of Pekin, Ind., Penelope Alexander of Festus, Kathleen (James) Ross of Festus, Michelle Schwarzen of Festus, Timothy (Alicia) Bitter of Cape Girardeau and Lawrence (Chantel) Bitter of LaRose, La.; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother: LeRoy Messmer.
A memorial gathering is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W Main, in Festus. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.