Aaron Bregman
Cheyenne, Wyo., native and US Army Air Force veteran Aaron Bregman passed away on January 23, 2023, at the age of 98. A service was held on January 27 at Mt. Sinai Jewish Cemetery in Cheyenne, officiated by Rabbi Moshe Halfon. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mr. Bregman’s death occurred five months after the passing of his wife, Ellen, in September, 2022. The couple married in Toronto, Canada, in August, 1953.
Mr. Bregman was born on April 12, 1924, the youngest son to Mendel and Dora Bregman, who emigrated to the US from Minsk, Belarus. Mr. Bregman attended the University of Wyoming and served in the military during WW II, where he was stationed in India.
Following his military service, Mr. Bregman resumed his collegiate studies at DU, where he played basketball for the Pioneers.
Mr. Bregman then returned to Cheyenne to establish his real estate business that included brokerage, investments and development.
Mr. and Mrs. Bregman later moved to Denver, where Mr. Bregman ran a commercial real estate business and was instrumental in the establishment of Shalom Park.
“He felt the responsibility of participating in the Jewish community, whether it be with the family, his involvement with building the synagogue (Mt. Sinai) in Cheyenne or his times on the boards of organizations in Denver,” his family said.
“The thing about Aaron is that whatever he did, he participated fully.”
Survivors include children Judith (Hank) Bregman and David Bregman; and grandchildren Nicholas Bernard and Dylan Bregman.
Donations may be made to the Anti-Defamation League or The Denver Hospice.
Dr. Stephen Gorden
Denver native Dr. Stephen Gorden passed away on March 11, 2023, at the age of 96. A service was held on March 13 at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Joe Black. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Dr. Gorden was born on March 14, 1926, and grew up on Denver’s West Side. He attended Cheltenham Elementary School, Lake Junior High and West High School. He attended CU Boulder, graduating with a degree in journalism.
After college, Dr. Gorden moved to Chicago to attend optometry school; following those studies he returned to Denver, originally working for Swigert Optometry and then opening his own practice with George Nielsen.
Dr. Gorden married Celeste Pollock in August, 1949. They remained a couple until his passing.
“Steve was dedicated to his family, first and foremost,” his family said. “He was also a dedicated optometrist and took great delight and pride in helping his patients gain better vision.”
Survivors are Dr. Gorden’s wife Celeste; children Linda (Eli) Osatinski and Pamela (Dana) Wakefield; grandchildren Jeff (Sachi) Osatinski, Amy (Rob Herrick) Osatinski, Michael Wakefield and Daniel Wakefield; and great-grandchild Cooper Osatinski.
Marion Sondermann
Holocaust refugee and community leader Marion Sondermann died on April 8, 2023. She was 95. A service was held on April 13 at Temple Beit Torah in Colorado Springs, followed by interment at the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs, officiated by Rabbi Iah Pillsbury.
Mrs. Sondermann (née Obermeyer) was born on October 30, 1927, in Nuremberg, Germany. The family moved to Berlin, where Mrs. Sondermann’s father, Fritz Obermeyer, was imprisoned for refusing to turn over his paper products factory to the Nazis.
The family then fled to the US in 1939, landing in New York City and later settling in Indianapolis.
In 1950, Marion married Fred Sondermann. Three years later they moved to Colorado Springs, after Mr. Sondermann was hired to teach political science at Colorado College. Mr. Sondermann died in 1978.
Mrs. Sondermann received her undergraduate degree at Colorado College, majoring in psychology. In 1980 she received her master’s degree in public administration from CU-Colorado Springs.
After working many years at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Mrs. Sondermann embarked on a teaching career; she taught political science at UCCS and at Pikes Peak Community College.
Mrs. Sondermann was a member on the District 11 Board of Education, and was a volunteer arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau. She also volunteered for the League of Women Voters and the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue.
“For someone who dodged the Holocaust at a young age, she built a remarkable, long life of kindness, service and engagement for herself,” her son Eric said. “She was an independent thinker, deeply involved in the issues of the day and in her community.
“She was not a bystander in life, but an active participant.”
Survivors are children Eric (Tracy Dunning) Sondermann, Gary (Julie Foster) Sondermann and Judy Sondermann; and grandchildren Katrina (Bryan) Sondermann, Dylan (Cassie) Sondermann, Graham (Sophie) Sondermann and Clarke (Mark) Sondermann.
Contributions may be made to the Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeneration, Parents Challenge, or Temple Beit Torah.
Jan Batlin
Denver native Jan Batlin passed away on March 15, 2023. She was 87. A service was held on March 19 at Home of Peace Cemetery in Colma, Calif., officiated by Rabbi Batshir Torchio. Home of Peace handled the arrangements.
Mrs. Batlin (née Rothstein) grew up on Denver’s West Side. She attended North High School and the University of Texas at Austin, before returning to Denver to receive her master’s in early childhood education at DU.
Following graduation, Mrs. Batlin moved to the San Francisco area, where she met Frank Batlin. They married at HEA in June, 1965, and were a couple until Mr. Batlin’s passing in 1979.
Mrs. Batlin built a significant career in teaching in special education, elementary and preschools, and was preschool director at the JCC of San Francisco for 36 years.
“She was a cherished mentor, teacher and friend who guided generations of JCCSF children and families as Director of the Brotherhood Way Preschool,” the school said. “Jan’s indelible imprint on the hearts, minds and souls of countless children is a blessing.”
Mrs. Batlin’s family said: “It was said about her passing that the entire Jewish community of San Francisco is mourning right now.”
Survivors are children Gabrielle (Jay) Davis and Andra (Alexander) Lakowsky; and grandchildren Francesca Davis, Spencer Davis, Rachel Lakowsky and Dana Lakowsky.
Contributions may be made to the JCC of San Francisco and the Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeration Research.
Copyright © 2023 by the Intermountain Jewish News
