Pauline Bietsch

Pauline L. Bietsch, nee Schmidt, affectionately known as “The Bean” to her family, joined her husband and daughter in Heaven on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on October 1, 1928, in Belleville, IL.

Pauline was the devoted wife of Alvin Bietsch. Together they shared 66 years of marriage. Their life together was the foundation for the loving, close-knit family they raised, which included four children.

Pauline worked for a brief time after her marriage at Imbs Milling Company before becoming a homemaker. She was a longtime member of St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and belonged to the Mothers Club and Perpetual Help Society at the church. She was also a former Girl Scout Leader and Local 268 Sheet Metal Workers Retiree Club member. Pauline was a former bowler, an avid card player, and in her younger years, a dancer at the USO. She was especially proud of winning a Jitterbug contest. She loved gambling, especially the slots, playing Euchre tournaments, playing quilt bingo, and cooking for friends and family. She always ensured everyone had their favorite dish. Pauline was famous for her chicken and dumplings, once having made 532 dumplings for a single meal.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Alvin F. Bietsch, whom she married on April 11, 1953, and who died on April 15, 2019; a daughter, Donna Bietsch; her parents, John and Ida, nee Kling, Schmidt; and her four brothers and five sisters, Paul (Minta) Schmidt, Ray (Madelyn) Schmidt, James (Faye) Schmidt, John Schmidt, Rita (Gordon) Bien, Mary (Milton) Clement, Dorothy Schmidt, Catherine (Jerry) Mazzarino, and Martha (Don) Campbell; and a brother-in-law, Russell Bietsch.

Surviving are a daughter, Janet (Norman) Joellenbeck, two sons, Michael (Debbie) Bietsch, and Ronald (Julie) Bietsch; five grandchildren, Matthew (Kati) Bietsch, Andrew (Julia) Bietsch, Lori Bietsch (Kyle) Giles, Kristin (Breana) Bietsch, and Tyler Bietsch; nine great-grandchildren, Abrielle, Henry, and Luke Bietsch, Morgan and Hannah Bietsch, Dash and Brooks Giles, and Alexandria and Alvin Bietsch; two sisters-in-law, Mary Schmidt and Darleen Bietsch; and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Joseph Oganda officiating.

Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

Obit Provided By:
Renner Funeral Home