DOWNEY – Florence Viola Aaby Bitticks, 96, died in Santa Rosa, Calif., on March 21. She was born in Rock Dell, Minn., on Dec. 29, 1917 to Martin and Mattie Aaby. Florence grew up on a rural farm and moved to California at age 26.

She worked for Hammand and Avery Insurance Company prior to marrying her husband, David L. Bitticks. Their marriage lasted 63 years.

She graduated from Cerritos College and Cal State Dominguez Hills. She worked for Cerritos College as an academic advisor, peer counselor and adjunct teacher.

A lifelong Lutheran, she was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Downey, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for more than 25 years. She also served as a Camp Fire leader and participated in many other volunteer activities.

She is survived by heirs, daughter Ann Philipp (John) of Sebastopol, Calif.; daughter, Alyce Bitticks (Ronal Alston) of Greensboro, N.C.; granddaughters, Carina Bitticks-Alson of Durham, N.C., Aldea Bitticks-Alston of Greensboro, NC, and Jena Bitticks-Alston of Greensboro, N.C.; sisters, Ordelia Coley of Hinckley, Ohio and Verna Herrick of Rochester, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, David L. Bitticks; parents; brothers, Glenn and Clifford Aaby; and sisters, Elvira Wilson and Lorraine Grovdahl.

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Published: April 3, 2014 - Volume 12 - Issue 51