Bitikofer, Fred (1889-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 30 Jan 1969 p. 8; 13

Birth date: 1889

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

Fred Bitikofer, 79, of Hesston died Monday morning at Mercy Hospital in Moundridge. He farmed in the Canton community most of his life, retiring to Canton in 1955. In 1965 he and his wife entered Schowalter Villa at Hesston. She survives with sons Melvin of Salem, Ore., Paul of Kansas City, Kan., Allen and Leroy of Canton, Henry, Ralph, and Clifford of Hesston; two daughters, Mrs. Will Nunemaker of La Junta, Colo. and Mrs. Charles Sommerfeld of Cheraw, Colo.; 33 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters. He was a member of the Spring Valley Mennonite Church near Canton where the funeral was conducted Wednesday afternoon by Rev. James Hershberger.

13 Mar 1969 p. 11 FRED BITIKOFER

Fred Bitikofer was born in Holmes County, Ohio on Aug. 10, 1889 and passed to his eternal reward at the Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, Kan., on Jan. 27, 1969, reaching the age of 79 years, five months, and 17 days.

Fred was the son of Christ. and Sophia Leibold Bitikofer. The family moved from Ohio to near Stockton, Mo. when Fred was quite young. In February of 1900, desiring to raise their family in a Christian community, the family moved by covered wagon to the Canton, Kan. community. The grandparents, George and Magdalena Leibold, came with them in their three-wagon caravan. The family faced many obstacles, which took much courage, as they traveled across the Flint Hills of Kansas. A sister living in the Spring Valley community welcomed their arrival in this locality. An outstanding incident in Fred's memory was the blinding snow storm that came to this community only two days after their arrival.

Life in this family was not without struggle and hardship. Within four months after their arrival, death claimed both their father and their mother. His father's death at the age of 45 was due to blood poisoning and his mother's death at the age of 41 was attributed to consumption. This tragedy left four orphaned children to be cared for by the grandparents and a guardian, Christ. Miller.

In his youth, Fred committed his heart and life to the Lord and was received as a member in the Spring Valley Mennonite Church near Canton and remained a faithful member here until his going home to be with the Lord and Saviour. He expressed much concern in the spiritual welfare of his family and loved to see the work of the church prosper. As a member of the board of trustees and janitor, he spent much time in the upkeep and care of the church, always regarding it as being a door-keeper in the house of the Lord.

On Nov. 6, 1910 he married Martha Loucks, and they shared life together for more than 58 years. This union was blessed with eight sons and two daughters. For 43 years they lived on their farm just north of the Spring Valley Church, southeast of Canton. In 1955 they moved from the farm to their new home in Canton, living here until 1965 when physical disabilities favored their move to the Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

He is survived by his widow, Martha of Schowalter Villa, and the following children: Melvin and wife Cora, Salem, Ore., Mabel and husband Will Nunemaker, La Junta, Colo., Paul and wife Margaret, Kansas City, Kan., Stella and husband Charley Sommerfeld, La Junta, Colo., Allen and wife Roberta, Canton, Henry and wife Luella, Ralph and wife Kathryn, both of Hesston, Leroy and wife Doris of Canton, Clifford and wife Elizabeth, also of Hesston; 33 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Clara, wife of Joseph Loucks of Schowalter Villa, and Mrs. Francis Stoltzfus of Newton.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Franklin, his parents and two brothers, Lewis and Ammon.

Funeral services were held on Jan. 29 at the Spring Valley Mennonite Church, with James Hershberger and Charles Diener officiating. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church.