Caroline Wilhelmina Witkowski

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 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.

Memorial Service

St. Michael's Lutheran Church
6700 Northeast 29th Avenue
Portland , OR US 97211-6654
Monday, July 21, 2008, 1:00 PM

Cemetery

Rose City Cemetery
5625 N.E. Fremont St.
Portland , OR US 97213-1754
Monday, July 21, 2008, 11:00 AM

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