Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Fredrick F. and Elizabeth (Nickolas) Bittermann , Pleasant Valley

1975  Seventy-six relatives of the Bitterman family who immigrated to the United States from Russia and settled in the midwest in the early 1900s gathered in Lakeside Park in Loveland Sunday, June 29, for their annual picnic reunion. Those attending from Colorado were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Horst, Mrs. Elsie Farlow and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Pepmeyer, Lisa, Erin and Megen of Fort Lupton; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Allen of Campion; Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Bitterman and Linda, Mrs. Barbara Cook, Jeff and James of Fort Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bitterman and grandson, Shaun Bitterman of Loveland. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Perlenfein.  An old Bitterman family Bible printed in German was also examined.   Kendall Weickum and Miss Arriba; Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Judith Todd of Greeley. Bitterman and Dee Dee and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Weickum all of Yuma. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Pepmeyer and grandson Billie Pepmeyer of Broomfield; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Drietli of Frisco; Mr. and Mrs. Edmund A. Bitterman of Otis. Those attending from other states include Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lofink, Mrs. Freda Redding, Mrs. Rudy Bitterman, Bill Dawson and daughter Colleen, Mrs. Lillian M. Dawson, all of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bitterman, Mrs..Sophia Trautman and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Wach all of Sutton, Neb. Mr. and Mrs. August Bitterman, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bitterman all of Lincoln, Neb.; Allen Fay Bitterman, Shane and Kevin of North Platte, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Warriner, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.; Mrs.Loretta Shotts, Jim and Julie, of Oregon, Wis. The picnic is held annually at Lakeside Park in Loveland on the last Sunday in June. Each year a record is kept of all those who attend.   Games, visiting, sharing of family anecdotes, photographs and reminiscences are the main activities. This year Mrs. Dawson brought some early family photographs. August Bitterman brought photostatic copies of naturalization and homestead documents of his father Balthasar Bitlermann. (Frederick's brother - buried in Sutton, Clay County, Nebraska, married Rosina Hoffman.) The homestead document  *some of these names might be included erroneously by OCR scans.

Frederick and Carolina (Spitzer) Bitterman were in Larimer County, where Fred, per one tree, died about 1917, and Caroline married Michael Zimbelman, dying about 1934.  She' s buried in Loveland Burial Park, per 90591608

Fred F. Bitterman married Lizzie "Nickcolaus" December 27, 1904, recorded in Larimer County. 

September 10, 1906 Fredrich Bitterman was naturalized in Larimer County.

In 1910 Magee precinct, Fred is 27, immigrating in 1893, with Lizzie 23, Mollie 3, Theodore 2, and Wilhelmina nine months.

Fredrick proved up a quarter in 23, 4N 47W in 1913.  Witnesses were Henry F. Schmale, Albert Pagel, Antone Trunde and John Nicklous, all of Yuma.

In 1913 Mrs. Fred Bitterman won a gold watch as prize for the best bread made with Purltan (sic) flour.

1915 "Mr. and Mrs. Bitterman, of Fort Collins, are guests at the home of their son, Fred, sixteen miles northeast of Yuma."

In 1920 Washington County Fredrick 38 and Elizibeth 36 have Mollie 13, Thedore 11, Carolina 9, Nellie 7 and Edmond 6.

  Fred Bitterman - Thanks to the Stockdale family

Mollie Bitterman married Theodore "Perlenfier" October 8, 1927, recorded in Washington County.

 In 1930 Washington County, Colorado, Fred is 48, Elizabeth 47, with Theodore 22, Caroline M. 20, Molly 18, and Edmund 16.

In 1940 Yamhill County, Oregon, Fred and Elizabeth have daughter Amelia Perlenfein 33 and her husband Theodore, 35, and their nine-month Bernice.

Frederick 1881-1944  # 48448385  and Elizabeth Bitterman 1882 -  are buried in Yuma.  One tree says Elizabeth Nicholas was born June 7, 1883 in Munchen, Russia, and died Dec 11, 1965 in Newburg Oregon.  It said Fredrick died in Newburg Oregon 1944.

AMELIA

In 1930 Washington County, Colorado, Ted 25 and Molley 23 are farming. 

Amelia 1906-1982 # 58113785 and Theodore Perlenfein 1904-1984 are buried in Sterling.

THEODORE

Theodore 1908-2004  # 48448389 and Velma Ruth (Chandler) Bitterman 1914-2001 are buried in Yuma.

Velma met her husband, Theodore Bitterman, on Main Street in Yuma, Co on June 14, 1934. They were married at the Lutheran parsonage on April 14, 1935, which in later years became her parents' home. Their life together began during the dustbowl years. As farmers, they endured years of want and enjoyed years of plenty. Velma always had a positive attitude no matter what happened. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and working with the animals. Velma worked for 8 ½ years as an aide at the Yuma Life Care Center. She had a genuine care and concern for the residents.

Velma's husband Theodore, son Fred, and grandson Stephen "Blake" Bitterman preceded her in death.

Velma is survived by daughters Elaine (Ronald Haverland) of Otis, CO and Virginia (Jim Downs) of Aurora, CO and sons Steve (Lana) Bitterman of Otis, CO and Tim Bitterman of Byers, CO and their families. We will always cherish her loving, kind and caring heart.
 

Frederick Theodore Bitterman 1941-2000 is buried in Yuma # 48448386

NELLIE

Nellie Bitterman married Lyle F. Chandler April 22, 1934, recorded in Washington County.

Nellie (Bitterman) Chandler 1911-2000 # 74472054 and Lyle Fogo Chandler 1909- 1985 are buried in Yuma.

 

EDMUND

Edmund Bitterman married Lola Winifred Ragan in 1937 in Fort Morgan.  The state records have Winifred L. "Ragon", registered in Washington County.

She's probably the daughter of Pansy Ragan, living on south Albany in Yuma in 1930,   Pansy 40, born in Missouri, married 21 years but no spouse, with Gladys L. 18, Violet 16, Winifred 13, Leon 8, and Mildred 4 - all kids born in Colorado.  The Ragans - Victor C. and Pansy M. - were in Calhan Colorado in 1920.  In 1940 Yuma "Charles V." is a meat cutter, he and Pansy both 50, with Leon C. 17 and Mildred M. 11.

Leon C. Ragan, born Aug 27, 1922 in Colorado, died Feb 14, 1965 in Los Angeles County, mother's maiden Name Pritchard.  He's buried in Fort Logan .3367149

  Wedding photo - thanks to the Stockdale family.

Edmond and Winnifred are farming in Washington County in 1940, 3N 49W and 50W.

Russell Bitterman -1941-1965 is buried in Yuma  # 48448388.

CAROLINE

In 1940 Clackamas County, Oregon, William is a steam engineer, 39, born in Nebraska.  They were in Oregon City, Oregon in 1935.

William H. Witkowski died September 1, 1958 in Multnomah County.

Caroline Wilhelmina Bitterman was born on August 1, 1909 on the family homestead 18 miles northeast of Yuma, Colorado. She was the middle child of five children born to Frederick and Elizabeth Bitterman. As a young child, Caroline moved with the family to a farmstead northwest of Yuma. In those days she learned to care for chickens, milk cows and help with the daily chores around the farm and home. Along with her brothers and sisters she was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at St. John's Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado. While attending Lutheran School in Yuma, Caroline and her siblings lived in a small house in town. There she completed her education through the 8th grade. She worked out for people in Yuma as a house-keeper and a cook. During this time in her life, she met a young man from Nebraska that had come to Yuma to find work—Bill Witkowski. They met at a dance and were married May 3, 1930. Bill worked for the city of Yuma at the light plant. As times progressed and the city bought their electricity from other sources, it was necessary for Bill to seek other employment. Bill and Caroline moved to Oregon where other relatives from the Yuma area had also moved. Bill worked several jobs and eventually they settled in Portland, Oregon. In 1958 Bill died of leukemia and Caroline was left alone. She had to quickly learn a new life style. She applied for a job in the employee's cafeteria at Meier and Frank, a large department store in the Lloyd Center, downtown Portland. She was a very dedicated employee and remained there as a food service employee until retirement.

(Caroline Bitterman and William Witkowski were married May 3, 1930, recorded in Weld County)

Caroline took great pride in her beautiful home that her husband bought for them as well as maintaining an immaculate yard. Every inch was manicured, bushes trimmed and shaped and flowers galore. Caroline was quite an artist with a pair of pruning shears.  Caroline was a dedicated member and devoted worker in her church, St. Michaels Lutheran church in Portland. She was always working in the kitchen, on service projects and many other church activities. Caroline loved the Lord—God was the center of her life. Caroline remained in her home until she could no longer take care of herself properly. She would live the remainder of her life in Christian foster homes in the Portland area. She was well cared for by her pastor, Orlie Trier, and many other kind members of St. Michaels.

Caroline passed away July 5, 2008 at the age of 98 years and 11 months. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; parents Frederick and Elizabeth; siblings Amelia Perlenfein, Ted Bitterman, Edmund Bitterman and Nellie Chandler; nephews Russell Bitterman and Fred Bitterman; great-nephew Blake Bitterman. She is survived by a sister-in-law Velma Bitterman; nieces and nephews Nadine (Chandler) Chrismer, Bernice (Perlenfein) Williams, Elaine(Bitterman) Haverland, Delmar Bitterman, Julie (Bitterman) Glass, Virginia(Bitterman) Downs, Steve Bitterman and Tim Bitterman along with their families.

Rose City Cemetery

5625 N.E. Fremont St.

Portland, OR US 97213-1754

Monday, July 21, 2008, 11:00 AM

REUBEN

In 1910 Loveland, Colorado Rubin is 4, with parents Fred 53 and Cary 50.  Brothers Jake 18, Henry 14 and Rudolph 11.  All but Rubin were born in Russia, immigrating in 1900.  One tree said Frederich  1858-1916 and Caroline 1860-1917 had Frederich 1881-1944, August 1883-, Caroline 1884 -, Jacob 1891 - , Henry 1895-1923, Rudolph 1899- and Rueben 1900-

In 1920 Ruben Bitterman is with his brother Jake in Loveland, Colorado, 13, born in Colorado.  Mother Caroline 60 is with them, widowed.

Ruben is a farm laborer in Washington County in 1930, working for the Samuel and Rose Warren family.

Reuben was a pallbearer at the 1937 funeral of George Gearhart "well-known and popular operator of a Yuma barber shop."

In 1940 Yuma, Reuben Bitterman is a barber, 33, born in Colorado, married eight years to Mildred 29 Iowa.  They have Barbara 2 and Loretta three months.

Reuben 1906-1976  # 52394009 and Mildred 1911-1977 are buried in Roselawn, Fort Collins.

CHRISTINA

July 5, 1961  Mrs. Christina Weickum of Broomfield, Colo., formerly of Loveland died at Weld County hospital, Greeley, Saturday evening following a two week illness.

She was born March 31, 1888, in Worms, Russia, the daughter of Fredrick and Carolina Bitterman. They came to the United States in 1900, first going to Nebraska for a short time before coming to Loveland to make their home.

1906

1906

1908

In 1910 Larimer County, Wilhelm Weickum, farming 34, borni n Russia, married six years, Christina 28, Nebaska.   They have Elvina 4 and Wilhelm 1.

She was married to George Weickum in Loveland Dec. 24, 1908. They farmed in the Loveland area until the death of Mr. Weickum Dec. 17, 1940. Mrs. Weickum moved to Broomfield in 1956.

She was a member of the Hope Reformed church of Loveland.

She is survived by three sons, Ben and Victor of Yuma, and George; seven daughters, Mrs. Nathalia Van Dusen, Mrs. Clara Horst and Mrs. Elsie Farlow all of Johnstown, Mrs. Bertha Pepmeyer of Broomfield, Mrs. Ruth Horst of Platteville, Mrs. Anna Gard of Moran, Wyo., and Mrs. Esther Prior of Denver; one brother, Rudolph Bitterman of Cheyenne, Wyo; seventeen grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Two children preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from the Hunter funeral home with the Rev. M. Schoenhaar officiating. Interment services at Loveland burial park.

Vic Weickum's story in the West Yuma History said that Reuben was his half-brother.

Henry, who was married to Christina Schmidt. He also had a brother named George who was married to a Christina (Amelia W. Christina Bitterman). Their father was Jakob Weikum (Weickum) and mother Elisabetha (according to the Ellis Island register; some family history sheets incorrectly identify her as Anna Maria Och(s)ner, who is probably her daughter-in-law married to Jakob II who also arrived on the same ship). They were born in Worms colony, South Russia (Ukraine) and arrived in the US through Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Grosser Kuerfurst from Bremen, Germany on 16 May 1903. Henry (Heinrich) and Christina were both 19 and married when they arrived with his parents and siblings. They originally settled in Sutton, Nebraska where Jakob's uncle, Peter Weikum (or Weigum), had previously settled. Peter arrived through Baltimore aboard the S.S. Dresden on 28 Apr 1893.

Henry was born 6 Oct 1883 Worms, Russia and died 28 Feb 1962 at Torrington, WYO. Christina was born 2 Nov 1882 and died 1 Aug 1945. I believe they still have children and grandchildren living in the Torrington and northern Colorado/Loveland/Denver area.
 
1971 "Miss Vicki Rae Bose, daughter of Floyd Bose, 425 fifth Ave., and Mrs.-Rose Bose, 810 20th St., was married Friday, June 25, to Steven Bitterman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bitlerman of Otis. The Rev. Fred Jones officiated at the double ring ceremony at the Sweetheart Chapel in Loveland in the presence of 35 guests. A reception was held in the chapel courtyard. The couple honeymooned in Estes  Park, and now. resides on the Wayne Simpson farm northeast of Otis where the bridegroom is employed by the Colorado National Bank of Denver..."

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