Together Again
Colleen Wittwer Reber, age 86, died on Saturday August 1, 2015. She was born on July 10, 1929 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Elizabeth Leavitt and Merl Harmon Wittwer. She spent her early years in the Virgin Valley and two days after graduating from Virgin Valley High School, married her sweetheart, Larry Reber on May 23, 1947 in the St. George Temple.
Colleen and Larry were the parents to 6 children: Larry Dean, Velma Lynn, Dennis Wittwer, Gregory L., Teresa Faye and Lori Ann. They raised their family in a great neighborhood in North Las Vegas. In 1969, they had an opportunity to purchase a home in Bunkerville and they moved back home, just across the street from where she was raised.
Mom was a hard worker. When dad hurt his back and couldn’t work, she took on the job as custodian at the Lola & White Chapel. She had bountiful gardens and beautiful manicured lawns and flower gardens. Mom was a great cook. Her family swarmed her house when she made her banana cream pies, divinity, roast, potatoes and gravy. Anything she made was delicious.
While dad served as Stake Clerk in the Bloomington, Utah Stake, when the Stake presidency had meetings all day long, mom would fix them a lunch – usually roast, potatoes and gravy, vegetables, home made rolls, and always included a fancy dessert. The Stake Presidency was always anxious to get there and slow to leave. But left with full, content bellies, able to finish out the day of church meetings. Colleen was active in the LDS church, serving in many organizations including R.S. president and ward organist.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, Merl and Elizabeth Wittwer; brother, Gerald; her eternal sweetheart, Larry; three children, Larry Dean, Gregory L., Lori Ann; and one great grandson, Treyson Chidester.
She is survived by her children, Dennis of Springville, UT, Velma Leavitt (Johnny) and Teresa Woods (Gary), both of Bunkerville; one sister, Faye Thompson (Albert); one brother, Harold; 26 grandchildren; 57 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren with one more on the way.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 1 p.m. in the Bunkerville Chapel, with a viewing from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. prior to the service at the chapel. Interment will follow in the Bunkerville Cemetery. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their “Guest Book” at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.
