Ralph Owen Bitikofer
Obituary
HESSTON - Ralph Owen Bitikofer, 90, of Schowalter Villa
passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013.
He was born at home near Canton on May 11, 1923, to the late
Fred and Martha (Loucks) Bitikofer. Ralph married Kathryn Verna Neufeld of
Inman on Dec. 16, 1947, and they began farming near Canton. They had two sons,
Lyle and Lauren.
They later moved to Hesston, where Ralph worked for Excel
Industries until he retired. During his retirement, he operated Kofer's
Sharpening Service. Ralph and Kathryn also volunteered at Rio Grande Bible
Institute for 10 years. Ralph was a member of the Hesston MB Church.
Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn of 64 years;
five brothers, Franklin, Chester Melvin, Paul, Henry and Clifford; and one
sister, Mabel.
He is survived by one sister, Stella; two brothers, Allen
and Leroy; sons, Lyle (Jan) and Lauren (Kathy); grandchildren, Jeffrey,
Elizabeth (Leif) Wickland, Robert and Steven; and great-granddaughter, Eliana
Wickland.
The family will greet friends and family at the Schowalter
Villa chapel from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, followed by the
funeral service at 2 p.m., with Pastor Brad Burkholder officiating. The burial
will follow at the Spring Valley Mennonite Church near Canton.
Memorials may be sent to Schowalter Villa or Rio Grande
Bible Institute, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.
