STERLING – Marita K. Stadele Bittorf, 51, of Sterling, formerly of Richland Center, Wis., passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.

She was the daughter of Mary and Bernard Stadele. Marita graduated from Richland Center High School in 1979. She attended Southwest Tech in Fennimore, Wis., studying fashion merchandising at Brown’s Smart Fashions in Richland Center before moving to Madison, Wis. While in Madison, she worked at several automobile dealerships, winning awards for her sales. She moved to Sterling in 1995, where she sold cars and did sewing from her home. Marita was a Mary Kay distributor, and enjoyed sewing and animals.

Marita is survived by her daughter, Cloe Bittorf of Sterling; her mother, Mary Stadele, and one brother, Joe (Kathy) Stadele, both of Richland Center; two sisters, Jean Biba of Sterling and Rose (Nubb) McCann of Muscoda, Wis.; nieces, Christie Stadele of Madison and Sarah (Scott) Holthe of Holmen, Wis.; nephews, Mike (Stephanie) Biba of Pecatonica, Tim (Lydia) Biba of Richland Center, Joey Biba of Madison, and Paul (Kelly) Stadele of Richland Center; eight great-nieces and great-nephews; and many friends and relatives.