Mary Louise Bitsche

Mary Louise (Draper) Bitsche was born April 3rd, 1927, the daughter of William and Exa Draper, in Sulphur, Oklahoma and died Friday, October 20th, 2017, in Norman, Oklahoma surrounded by her family at the age of 90.

Mary graduated from Durham High School in 1945. She completed nurse training at Southwestern State University in Weatherford, OK. She worked at Chickasha Hospital as an x-ray tech and later worked for Dr. Foertsch for over 15 years.

Mary married William L. "Bill" Bitsche on September 4th, 1950, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The happily married couple had 3 children, William (Billy), Phil, and Diane and they were the pride and joy of their lives. The couple was known to most everybody as Nina and Pa.

Nina enjoyed music, dancing, flying, family and friends. It was the simple things in Nina's life that she never took for granted, commenting daily how fortunate and thankful she was for her life. Above all, Nina was absolutely devoted to her family, both immediate and extended. She was a mother to everyone, and Nina's greatest achievements have been in the lives of her family and friends. She had a unique gift to recognize and appreciate the talents in others and to make them feel loved and lifted by her presence. Her generous heart filled her home with love and fun times, shared with everyone, including an attitude that there was always room for one more.

Mrs. Bitsche was preceded in death by her parents, William and Exa; husband, Bill; 3 sisters: Juanita King, Wanda Johnson, and Mildred Davis; and 2 brothers: W.H. Draper and A.W. Draper.

Survivors include: 2 sons: William L. Bitsche and wife, Deborah, of Crestview, FL and Philip E. Bitsche and wife, Kay, of Norman, OK; 1 daughter: Diane Link and husband, Andy, of Colorado Springs, CO; 1 brother: Edwin Draper of Oklahoma City, OK; 1 sister: Laverne Sheets of Oklahoma City, OK; 11 grandchildren: Michelle Peterson and husband, Vern, of Chickasha, OK; Nikki Bitsche of Newton, NC; Destin Bitsche of Cement, OK; Jennifer Ramirez and husband, Jordan, of Colorado Springs, CO; Kim Rodriguez and husband, Mike, of Colorado Springs, CO; Shawn Bitsche of Cement, OK; Trey Bitsche of Chickasha, OK; Drew Link and wife, Angie, of Colorado Springs, CO; Aaron Link of Colorado Springs, CO; Bubba Bitsche of Austin, TX; and Amanda Seibold and husband, Brody, of Cement, OK; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and in-laws.