Vivian L. Bitton, 93
Vivian L. Bitton passed away on June 22, 2007, at the Peach Tree Assisted Living in Roy, Utah, at the age of 93.
She was born June 4, 1914, in Ogden, Utah to Hendrika Johanna Aleida Van Braak and William Charles Smirl.
She was raised in Uintah Basin, Utah, and attended the local schools in that area.
She married Cecil R. Odekirk on May 20, 1935, and had four children, Cecil Ray Odekirk, Buddy G. Odekirk, Laurie (Red) Odekirk, and Laurel Odekirk. They later divorced.
She married Clarence Eldon Bitton on Sept. 19, 1946, and had two sons, Richard C. Bitton and E. LaMont Bitton.
They moved to Freeman Lake area in northern Idaho in 1951 where they bought a farm of 80 acres for $1,400. Then they bought the adjoining 80 acres $1,100.
She sold Avon for more than 20 years in the surrounding area. She was very active in the LDS church for more than 60 years, and after the death of her husband in 1980, she served a LDS mission in Arizona. After serving her mission, she moved back to Ogden to be around her mother and sisters.
She served in the Ogden Temple for 10 years, as well as many callings at the branch, ward, stake level in both Priest River, Idaho and Ogden, Utah.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother; five sisters; husbands; and her daughter, Laurel. She is survived by her sons, Cecil Ray (Debby) Odekirk, Buddy G. Odekirk, Laurie Red Odekirk, Richard (Vickey) Bitton, and E. LaMont (Lydia) Bitton; her stepchildren, LaRee (Ken) Sprague, and Gary (Gladys) Bitton; 27 grandchildren and 12 step-grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Growing up she worked on the family farm hauling water using horse and wagon in milk cans, working the fields, and milking cows. She learned housekeeping skills when she went to work for a local family as a maid. During her lifetime, she worked in several different areas including owning and running a mom-and-pop grocery store in Ogden. She was a great cook and baker and loved to have family gatherings. After moving to Idaho, she worked on the farm milking cows. Her greatest thrill was when she got running water.
She was an avid quilter and won many awards for her talents. She loved to knit and crochet afghans, and read. One of the most difficult times for her was when she became legally blind in her late 80s and could no **longer do her handcrafts. Her family was her pride and joy. She looked forward to her birthday every year, which was like a family reunion.
At the age of 80, she went parasailing over Lake Pend Orielle. At age 81, she went up in a hot air balloon. She took up golf in her 70s. She loved sports and was competitive.
Funeral services and internment were held in Ogden, Utah, on June 22, 2007.