Diane Ruhl Bitzenhofer, 77, passed away on May 22, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was born on May 29, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was born and raised.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Donna Shroeder of Delray Beach, Florida.

She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband of 56 years, Jerry Bitzenhofer; her three sons, David (Moira) Bitzenhofer of Raleigh, North Carolina, Mark (Becky) Bitzenhofer of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Chris (Brooke) Bitzenhofer of Mount Olive, North Carolina. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Mason, Vada, Brice, and Valli. Diane is also survived by her sisters, Ida Tergerson and Sandy O’Donnell.

Diane was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. As a homemaker, she dedicated her life to caring for her family and created a home filled with laughter and love. Cooking her son’s favorite meals when they returned home was one of her favorite things to look forward to. She enjoyed true crime documentaries and old sitcoms like Seinfeld. She loved comedy and had a great sense of humor. You could find her watching the squirrels run in the backyard, as she would feed them peanuts, and they would return daily. She shared this activity with the grandkids. Her favorite flowers were daisies which her husband had blooming in their garden.

Though our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in the many cherished memories she leaves behind and the lasting impact she had on her family.

A private celebration of her life among close family will take place this summer.