Sarah Welch

August 28, 1920 - March 5, 2012

Sarah Welch, 91, of Rocky Ford, died Monday, March 5, 2012 at Pioneer Health Care Center in Rocky Ford. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford with Reverend Steve Culver officiating. Inurnment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford. Memorial Funds have been established with the Community Presbyterian Church; 303 S. 9th; Rocky Ford, CO 81067 or to the Arkansas Valley Hospice; 118 W. 4th; La Junta, CO 81050. Sarah was born August 28, 1920 in Rocky Ford to Phillip and Christine Grasmick. Sarah attended school and lived her entire life in Rocky Ford. Sarah's parents were Russian-German immigrants of which the family is very proud. Sarah was married to Adam Bitter and the couple farmed on the West Ranch until the death of Adam in 1963. The couple had two children, Karen Hancock and Randy Bitter. Sarah married Thomas Welch in 1967. Sarah was a talented homemaker and used her talents for cooking and baking to serve her and the community well while she served as cook and baker for the school district, the Pioneer Hospital and Freemans Bakery. Sarah's love for cooking and baking was superseded by her love of her Lord and her family. Sarah and Tom loved to follow their grandsons with their sports, especially baseball. The couple rarely missed a baseball game even when their grandsons were not playing. Sarah and Tom were permanent fixtures at Babcock Park for many years. Sarah was very active in her church by singing in the choir for years and with her involvement in the Presbyterian Women's group. Tom and Sarah spent many hours visiting shut-ins and ill friends on Sunday afternoons. Sarah is survived by her children Karen (Bill) Hancock of Rocky Ford and Randy (Debbie) Bitter of Fowler, grandsons Lee W. (Andrea) Hancock and Patrick A. (Megan) Hancock, of Rocky Ford and Jason Bitter and Brent (Tanya) Bitter of Fowler. Great grandchildren are Nathan, Lily, Alyssa and Ashlynn Hancock and Luke and Lexie Bitter. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents and husband Adam Bitter and husband Thomas Welch along with eleven brothers and sisters. Arrangements have been en-trusted to the Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com