Clarian Ardyce Lovitt

Clarian was born March 5, 1924 to Clarence W. and Lottie Starkey Bittinger in their home in Spencer.  She died July 23, 2018 at Northshire Nursing Home.  Clarian was educated in Spencer schools, graduating from Spencer High in 1942.   That fall she entered Chillicothe (MO) Business College, concentrating on secretarial and bookkeeping courses.  She began her business career with York Products in Des Moines and soon met her husband-to-be, Julian J. (Bud) Lovitt, then in the U.S. Navy, at a roller-skating rink there.

     Clarian and Bud were married in her parent’s home in Spencer on August 25, 1946.  They lived in Scottsbluff, Gering and Omaha, NE, as well as Grenora, ND, and Primghar, Spencer and Des Moines, IA, their first ten years of marriage.  By then they had three little boys and settled in Spencer for the remainder of their lives.  In Spencer Clarian worked as a secretary and/or bookkeeper for the Methodist Church and several businesses, including The Daily Reporter; sheriff’s office; Norman Pixler, CPA; Saunders and Norton, CPA and Nelson Drugstore. 

     The Lovitt family always had a big garden, with enough to eat fresh, give away to neighbors and to can or freeze for the winter.  Clarian also found time to do volunteer work at various times for her church, Spencer schools, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Parker Historical Museum, and American Legion Auxiliary.  She was an enthusiastic square-dancer and enjoyed playing cards with her friends but especially liked word games such as Scrabble.  She kept in close contact with friends and family via letter, phone and e-mail and helped organize several family and class reunions.  Traveling and camping were also high on her list of fun things to do.

     Clarian and Bud were greatly involved with the Asian refugees who came to Spencer following the Viet Nam War.  Through their church, Hope Reformed, they helped sponsor two families.  They also had two young Vietnamese boys with them as foster sons for several years and have continued to count them and their families as part of their own.  Clarian taught ESL to many of the refugees.

     Mrs. Lovitt was pre-deceased by her parents; husband, Bud, on July 17. 2011; and brother, Winton Bittinger.  Surviving are her sons and their wives; David Alan/Mary of Spring Branch, TX; Wayne Douglas/Barbara of Madison, SD; and Gene Randall/Denise of Spencer.  Grandchildren are Aaron David/Erin; Amanda Louise; Adam Timothy/Alisa Lovitt and Emilye/Tim Cunningham.  Seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild also survive, as does a sister, Marian Heike; a sister-in-law Darleen Bittinger and foster sons, Hung/Carol and Eric/Ann Ong and their children as well as several nieces and nephews.

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