Elaine Bitter Niedrich

Elaine Bitter Niedrich was born in Afton, Wyoming, on March 14, 1937, to Reed Bitter and Phyllis Kirkman Bitter. She passed away in her own bed at home from urothelial cancer on April 7, 2025, while her loved ones tended to her needs and sang her favorite songs. Elaine married the love of her life, Richard A. Niedrich, on April 12, 1958. They have six children: Will (Yelena), Hailey, Idaho; Doug (Lisa), Bellevue, Idaho; Dave (Teri) Bellevue, Idaho; Kindra Bingham (Ted-deceased) Idaho Falls, Idaho; Diane Johnson (Dan), Mount Pleasant, Utah; and Karen Dick (Forrest), Bellevue, Idaho. Richard and Elaine have 28 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

Elaine spent most of her childhood and youth in Twin Falls, Idaho. She grew up with two brothers: Kirk (Valeen-deceased) Bitter of Bountiful, Utah; and Kent (Marianne) Bitter of Port Ludlow, Washington.

She and Richard and their children moved several times before permanently settling in the Wood River Valley in 1978, a beautiful place and home that they have loved.

Elaine had a beautiful alto voice and loved singing. She participated in school and church choirs and enjoyed singing in multiple women’s trios, quartets, and sextets over the years. She said of her voice in recent years, “I can’t sing anymore. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.” She was incorrect in her characterization of her recent voice. She could still sing beautifully, albeit a little differently than she had in her younger years. Richard and Elaine cultivated a home for their family that was alive with music. We always had music playing in our home. The family all love singing together. It was a daily occurrence for the family to sing while washing dishes and doing housework or just to have fun singing together.

Elaine started a property management business, VIP Services, in 1981. She loved her clients as family, and they loved her. Elaine was active in her community serving as an usher at various community events, as a volunteer for the Red Cross blood drive, and as a volunteer treasurer for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Elaine was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings over the years, but her favorite calling was that of leading the music, both in the children’s Primary organization and for the main worship services.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a stillborn older brother; son-in-law Ted Bingham; grandson Jordan Niedrich; grandson Aaron LaMonica, grandson Jeremy Arters, and great-granddaughter Sadie Rager.

We would like to thank Dusty Votroubek of "A Bridge Home" for his loving hospice care for Elaine and for his love and friendship for all of the family. We love you, Dusty. 

Only ONE public viewing will be held Friday, April 11, 2025, from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the Wood River Chapel located at 403 N. Main Street, Hailey, Idaho. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 4:00 P.M. at the Hailey LDS Chapel located at 821 Broadford Road, Hailey, Idaho. The interment will be in Hailey Cemetery, Hailey, Idaho.  

Zoom link for remote viewing:

https://zoom.us/j/94409933083