Rosa Lorenestewart Bittenbender

Rosa Lorene Stewart Bittenbender, 89, of Topeka, passed away May 6, 2006 at Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Hospital.
Born Oct. 26, 1916 in Alta Vista to Loren and Abbie Irene McCabe Stewart, Rosa graduated from Dunlap High School in 1934 and attended Kansas University.
A World War II veteran, she joined the Women's Army Corps in 1943, attaining the rank of First Sergeant before her discharge in 1945.
After returning to Junction City in 1956 she worked at Fort Riley as a clerk typist before beginning her career at Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Hospital in 1957 until her retirement in 1985 as a ward secretary.
She married James Bittenbender in 1945 and they had two children, Cheryl Irene and Lee Ann.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Lee Ann, two sisters, Betty Dillon and Juanita Couch, and a brother, Mack Stewart.
She is survived by a daughter, Cheryl McLain, Topeka. Sisters Paula Crumley, Evelyn LeMere, both of Topeka, and Zelma Christian, Council Grove. Brothers Ron Stewart, Junction City and Bill Stewart, Arizona. Grandchildren, Troy Hayes, Illinois., Shannon Knight and Jason Hayes, both of Topeka, and Stephen Schultz, Texas, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Rosa considered her service during WWII, along with her children and grandchildren, her greatest life achievements. As matriarch of the Stewart family, she will be greatly missed.
She will lie in state after 12 noon today at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday, May 10 at 11 a.m., also at Penwell-Gabel. Interment will be at Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery.
To share a special memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lee Ann Schultz Memorial Nursing Scholarship. Address contributions to: Attn: Dean of Students, In reference to the Lee Ann Schultz Memorial Nursing Scholarship, 500 College Dr., Lake Jackson, Tx, 77566.