Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 2, 1953 Adams County, Ritzville, WA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ ==================================================================== This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sgardner@ritzcom.net ==================================================================== Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 2, 1953 Othello Pioneer Funeral Is Held YAKIMA - Funeral services were held here Tuesday for a longtime Othello area pioneer, Mrs. Ada Mae Lee, 87, who died late last week in St. Elizabeth's hospital. Burial was in Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Mrs. Lee and her husband, Addison O. Lee, who survives her, moved to Yakima 10 years ago after living in the Othello area from 1901 to 1943. Lee farmed near Othello for many years and Mrs. Lee taught school in the area for 25 years. Besides her husband, she was survived by two daughters, a son and four grandchildren. Funeral Is Held For Mrs. Haase Funeral services for Frederika Haase, longtime Ritzville resident, who died Saturday in Portland, were held at the Philadelphia Congregational church here Monday with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating. Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Haase, who moved to Portland about a year ago, was survived by five daughters, Mrs. Ed Haase of Olympia; Mrs. James Doyle of Spokane, and Mrs. Perry Herford, Mrs. Truman Finnemore and Mrs. Garrett, all of Portland. Also surviving are three sons, Leo of Manson, Reinhold of Portland, and John of Ralston, 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of local arrangements. Rites Conducted for Mrs. Rehn Funeral services for Mary Elizabeth Thiel Rehn were scheduled to be held Thursday afternoon at the Philadelphia Congregational church with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating and burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Rehn, who had lived in Ritzville the past 14 years, died at her home Sunday. Born July 26, 1876, she was baptized by Pastor Detreich in Kolb, Russia, confirmed at the age of 15, and married on Oct. 2, 1898. She came to the United States in 1902 and settled in Adams county. Survivors include her husband, John Rehn, sr.; seven sons, John of Yakima, Victor of Ritzville, Clarence of Lind, Henry of Carbondale, Ill., Jake of Lind, and Alex and Harold, both of Los Angeles; and three daughters, Mrs. John Lawson, Mrs. George Sheastley and Helen Rehn, all of Tacoma. Two sisters also survive - Mrs. Mollie Lies of St. Anthony, Idaho, and Mrs. Eva Miller of Los Angeles. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangments. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 9, 1953 G. Cozine Dead in Lind Mishap George Cozine, long-time Lind resident, was accidently killed in a coal bin mishap Wednesday morning in Lind. Cozine departed for work about 7:30 a.m., saying that he had to "loosen up some coal." He failed to return home for noon lunch and the family became worried. A search terminated in discovery of his body at the bottom of a NP coal chute. Sheriff Frank Lucas and Deputy Coroner Dick Whitmore investigated and assisted in removing the body which was found wedged under a considerable amount of coal at the bottom of the chute. His body was examined about 5 p.m. and the investigating physician said that death had occurred earlier in the morning. He had been employed by the Northern Pacific railroad approximately 30 years. Authorities described the death as accidental. The body is at Danekas and Duncan funeral home. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 15, 1953 Funeral Rites Are Conducted Here Tuesday Funeral services for Pearl DeHart, who died July 10 in a Spokane hospital, were conducted Tuesday at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Survivors of the local woman, who had lived here 25 years, included a foster daughter, Mrs. H. A. McPhail of Portland; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Cogley of Spokane; and a foster son, Robert McPhail, in the navy. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 23, 1953 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, July 30, 1953 Funeral Services Are Held for 92-Year-Old Woman Funeral services were held in Ritzville Wednesday afternoon for one of Adams county's oldest residents, 92-year-old Sophia Schutz, who died Sunday morning at the Adams County Memorial hospital. Mrs. Schutz was survived by the astonishing number of 52 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. A hard working farmer's wife, she devoted her entire adult existence to her husband, until he died in 1936, and her family. Even as she passed 90, she remained an active woman. On the family ranch 14 miles southwest of Ritzville Mrs. Schutz maintanied her own flower garden, watering and cultivating it, and spent much of her life sewing and crocheting. But her greatest delight was to be with members of her own family, particularly the smaller children. Mrs. Schutz had spent an active day Saturday and was planning to come to Ritzville to shop for groceries Saturday evening until she decided she was not feeling as good as she might. Sometime Saturday night the 92-year-old lady suffered a stroke. She was taken to the hospital in Ritzville Sunday morning but lived only 15 minutes more, passing away about 10:45 a.m. All except five of her 52 grandchildren were among the family members who attended the funeral services Wednesday afternoon at the Philadelphia Congregational church. The Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiated. Burial was in the Saloma Church cemetery. Mrs. Schutz had been born in Russia in 1860, a year before the Civil War broke out in the United States. In Russia she was married to Gottlieb Schutz. When they came to America in 1898, all except one of their 12 children had been born. The last, Gotthilf, was born here a year or two after their arrival. They had six sons and six daughters. The family settled on the ranch where Mrs. Schutz was to live for the rest of her life. The home place is now operated by the youngest son, Gotthilf. Five other children survived - Mrs. Rebecca Beak of Zillah, Mrs. Emanuel Grams and Mrs. Rudolph Plager of Ritzville, Gottlieb Schutz of Kennewick, and John Schutz of Toppenish. Most of the 52 grandchildren are scattered through the northwest. Many live at Tacoma, Spokane and Wenatchee. The farthest away is Herb Rauter, a resident of Santa Anna, Calif. Mrs. Schutz traveled only infrequently. The longest trip she made was to the Dakotas many years ago. She was an active member of the Philadelphia Congregational church, attending as frequently as possible. Mrs. Schutz would have been 93 years old next Friday, Aug. 7. Funeral Services for Percy Hunt Set on Thursday Funeral services for Percy Bertrum Hunt, retired Ritzville businessman who died Monday at the age of 72, were to be held Thursday afternoon in the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating. Burial was scheduled for Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Hunt suffered a stroke July 24 and was taken to Adams County Memorial hospital where he died 10 days later. He was survived by two nieces, Mrs. W. A. Darby of Rossland, B.C., and Mrs. Ross Fitzjohn of Vancouver, B.C., and a nephew, Gilbert Hunt of Spokane. Born in London, England, on Dec. 29, 1880, Hunt operated a news stand and gift shop in Canada for many years before coming to Ritzville in 1923 to take over operation of the Brunswick pool hall. He operated the Brunswick until 1944 when he sold the place to Charley Womach and retired from business. He owned farming property in the area. Hunt had been married to the former Lydia Achziger in August, 1912, at Rossland, Canada. Mrs. Hunt died Sept. 11, 1946. Oct. 2, 1935, was one of the proudest days in the Ritzville businessman's life. That day he received his final United States citizenship papers. He was a member of the local Lions club and Rebekah and IOOF lodges. During recent years he served the Lions as chairman of the committee which serviced gumball machines in Ritzville in exchange for a share of the profits which went into civic improvement. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 6, 1953 Funeral Is Held For Rebecca Fox CONNELL - Funeral services for Rebecca M. Fox, longtime Cunningham resident, were held here Friday afternoon. The Rev. T. O. Weatherby and the Rev. Harold Paul officiated. Burial was in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Fox died last Wedneday in a Spokane hospital. She was a member of the United Brethren church. Mrs. Fox was born at Mount Top, Penn., on March 8, 1877, as one of 11 children. Her family migrated westward to Deer Creek, Wash., in 1904. There Mrs. Fox resumed the teaching career she had carried on for 10 years in Pennsylvania. She had been graduated from the state normal school at Shippensberg, Penn. She was married in October, 1909, to Medford R. Fox and moved to a farm 12 miles northwest of Connell. Survivors include her husband, Medford; three daughters, Mrs. Roger Gerwig of San Diego, Mrs. Joseph Wilson of Bremerton, and Mrs. George Harvey of Opportunity, and a son, Paul A. Fox, of Cunningham. Also surviving are four sisters, Mrs. C. A. Gasswint of Pennsylvania, Mrs. E. T. Farrow of San Francisco, Miss Ruth Anthony of Los Angeles, and Miss Minerva Anthony, also of Los Angeles; and four brothers, Alvin Anthony of Los Angeles, Mark Anthony of Philadelphia, Michael Anthony of New York City and Paul L. Anthony of Spokane. Five grandchildren also survive. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 13, 1953 Man Who Settled Families Here Dies in California Recently at 90 FRESNO, Calif. - A man who devoted his life to colonization - and who helped a number of pioneer families settle in Adams county between 1901-1910 died here recently. He was Julius Siemens, who passed away July 27 at the age of 90. According to a daughter, Mrs. Esther Esau of Dairs, Calif., Siemens also published a weekly newspaper in the German language for several years in Ritzville and served as Sunday school superintendent in the First Congregational church when a Dr. Proctor was pastor. Siemens was born on Feb. 4, 1863, in Alt-Schoenurese in Ukrania, Russia. When he was 16 his family moved to America in 1879, settling in Mountain Lake, Minn. After working in a store operated by his father, Siemens entered the banking business first in Newton, Kans., and later in the Mennonite colonies at Manitoba, Canada. There he and his brother operated one of the first banks in that area. After about two years in Canada, Siemens returned to the United States to enter colonization work. He was first employed in the Ulen settlement in Minnesota and the Rosthern colony in Canada. During his travels westward Siemens visited the Menno settlement in Adams County, Washington, and according to Mrs. Esau decided the region offered exceptional opportunities to families interested in homesteading on land suitable for grain farming. Siemens moved to Ritzville with his family in 1901 and opened his own office. Here he spent much of his time inducing new families to settle in Adams county. He assisted some in taking out homesteads, and helped provide financing for others who were purchasing land. "Many Russian Germans as well as Mennonites came to his office to purchase steamship tickets for their relatives back home," Mrs. Esau reports. "And some of the people who used these tickets are still residents of Adams county." Siemens was a member of the Mennonite church but because of the journey involved in reaching the Menno church in Adams county, before the days of automobiles, he attended the First Congregational church in Ritzville. In addition to publishing a German language newspaper, he was interested in civic affairs and once was a candidate for city councilman. In 1910 Siemens moved from Ritzville to California where he continued his efforts in colonization work. He brought the first Mennonite settlers to Winton in Merced county, California, and later developed the Dixieland colony in Madera county. Until he became seriously ill about nine months ago, he was still seeking new lands for Mennonite families. About a year ago one of his close Adams county friends, John Jantz, retired farmer in Ritzville, visited him in California. Funeral services for Siemens were conducted July 30 by Peter Edeger, interim pastor of the First Mennonite church in Reedley, Calif. Survivors include the widow, Anna Siemens; three children, Mrs. Esther Esau of Dairs, Calif.; and Elfrieda and Paul Siemens, both of Fresno, Calif.; two grandchildren, Peter and Paula Siemens; and a sister, Mrs. Helena Schelly of Walla Walla. Williams Rites Are Conducted LIND - Funeral services for Charles R. Williams, lifelong resident of central Adams county who died last Thursday at Hatton, were held Monday at the Lind Methodist church with the Rev. William Richey officiating. Burial was in the Sandhills cemetery. Williams was born in Lind Feb. 3, 1904, and had farmed in the vicinity for many years. He was a member of Sandhills grange and of the Church of Christ at Pasco. Survivors include the widow, Zelma, in the Sandhills community; three sons, Jackson, Lee and Robert all at the home; two daughters, Kathleen at the home and Mrs. Charlotte Lamson of Kennewick and one grandchild. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 20, 1953 Mrs. Woodyard Funeral Service Is Held Tuesday WASHTUCNA - Funeral services for Mrs. Sylvia Woodyard, 78, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Washtucna Community church with the Rev. Russell Booher officiating. Burial was in the local cemetery. Mrs. Woodyard was born June 18, 1875, near Cherryvale, Kansas, the daughter of John and Esther Oliphant. Her early life was spent in Kansas, where in 1902, she married Lewis Woodyard. They came west and settled on a homestead near Washtucna. Her husband preceded her in death about 15 years ago. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Hazel O'Harra, Renton, Wash., Mrs. Esther Day, Pasco teacher, Mrs. Grace Slawter, Spokane; one son, James Woodyard, Washtucna; two sisters, Mrs. Ollie Carson, Dennis, Kans., and Mrs. Ruby Frease, Cherryvale, Kans.; and seven grandchildren, besides numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Woodyard was a member of the Washtucna Community church and its affiliate societies, the Ladies Aid and Missionary. The Danekas-Duncan funeral home of Ritzville was in charge of the funeral. Funeral Monday for Mrs. Stelljies Funeral services for Mrs. Pauline Wellsandt Stelljies will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Emanuel Lutheran church with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. Mrs. Stelljies, a longtime resident of Ritzville who had been living in Spokane, died at 2 a.m. Thursday at St. Luke's hospital in Spokane. Born June 17, 1874, at Kirschdorf, Germany, she was married to Gustave Wellsandt on July 18, 1893, in Germany. Wellsandt died May, 1946, after the couple had lived in Ritzville for many years. Mrs. Wellsandt was married to Sam Stelljies in September of 1948. They lived in Spokane. Survivors include the husband; four children, Otto Wellsandt of Plummer, Idaho; Alfred Wellsandt of Mead; Meta Wilbur of Washougal, and Mrs. Ernest Templin of Ritzville; a brother, Ernest Ziemer of Ritzville; two sisters living in Germany; 7 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Mrs. Stelljies was a member of the Lutheran church. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, August 27, 1953 Gust Funeral Rites Scheduled Friday Funeral services for Jacob Gust, 66-year-old longtime resident of Ritzville will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel. Burial will be in the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Gust died Tuesday. Survivors include the widow, Louise, of Vancouver, Wash.; two daughters, Mrs. Elsie Becker and Mrs. Wanda Bafus, also of Vancouver; and two sons, Ralph J. and Robert L., both of Vancouver. A brother, Gothilf, of Odessa and five grandchildren also survive. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 3, 1953 Funeral Services Are Conducted for Mrs. Jacob Bauer, Pioneer Funeral services were held Saturday for Mrs. Jacob Bauer, another of Ritzville's early-day pioneers and the third woman to be married in Adams county. Daughter of a Congregational missionary who established the first German Congregational church here, Mrs. Bauer arrived in Ritzville in 1887 after making part of the trip from Nebraska in a covered wagon. Her late husband was manager of the Ritzville Trading company for 33 years. The couple lived in Ritzville unti 1942 when they moved to Spokane. Mrs. Bauer died Aug. 26 at the Lynwood sanitarium in Fort Blakely on Bainbridge Island. She had lived there since last January when she broke her hip and right leg in a fall and was forced to be hospitalized. The Rev. R. Kirschenmann, pastor of the Philadelphia Congregational church, officated at the funeral in the Danekas and Duncan funeral home parlors. Mrs. Bauer, nee Barbara Koch, was born March 4, 1868, in Bruenthal, Russia, the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Johnanes Koch. The family came to the United States in 1886 living in Nebraska until traveling on to Ritzville the following year. Reverend Koch's assignment was to organize and build churches in new districts. Here he organized the first German Congregational church which was constructed on the site of the present Zion Congregational church. Later he organized churches in Greeley, Colo., Portland, Ore., and in several communities in California. Barbara Koch was married July 12, 1888, to Jacob Bauer. They were the third couple married in Adams county and the second to be married in the old Marcellus school house which was built by Mr. Bauer and his father, Henry Bauer, sr. The school house was located on the J. F. Rosenoff farm and served as the first rural school district in Adams county. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer farmed for 10 years before moving to Ritzville in 1898 to engage in the hardware and implement business. Mr. Bauer managed the Trading Company for 33 years until his retirement on May 1, 1937. In 1942 the Bauers moved to Spokane to live with a daughter, Mrs. Louise Ratz. Mr. Bauer died in June, 1943. Mrs. Bauer continued to live with her daughter, moving with her to Indianola Beach at Kitsap in 1951. There she lived until her accident last January. Mrs. Bauer was a life member of the Congregational church, and of the Philadelphia Congregational church in Ritzville following its organization, and she was a member of the Philadelphia Ladies aid society and a past president of the Philadelphia Junior Aid. Surviving children are Mrs. Ratz of Kitsap, Mrs. Ruby Kirkham of Spokane, Mrs. Mildred MacDonald of Portland, Martin Bauer of Suquamish, and Harold W. Bauer of Ritzville. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Marie Bauer of Portland, and Mrs. Emily Cyrstal of Berkeley, Calif., 16 grandchildren and 17 great- grandchildren. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 10, 1953 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 17, 1953 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, September 24, 1953 Rites Are Friday for Mrs. Reiber Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday for Anna Marie Reiber, 80, who died Tuesday at the Adams County Memorial hospital. The Rev. R. Kirschenmann will officiate at the rites in the Philadelphia Congregational church. Burial will be at the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Reiber, born in Kolb, Russia, had lived here the past 53 years. She was a member of the Philadelphia Congregational church and senior ladies aid. Survivors include the husband, John, at the home; three sons, Carl of Ritzville, Alex of Myrtle Creek, Ore., and Arthur of Los Angeles; two daughters, Mrs. Donald Danekas of Ritzville and Mrs. Helen Dirks of Ventura, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Schmidt Funeral Is Held Funeral services for Elizabeth Schmidt, 58, who died at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane last Thursday, were held Monday at the Philadelphia Congregational church with the Rev. R. Kirschenmann officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Schmidt was born in Russia and had lived in this area for 11 years. Survivors include the husband, Fred L., at the home; four daughters, Mrs. Ella Meske, Mrs. Alvina Jeske, and Mrs. Frieda Peters, All of Moses Lake, and Mrs. Irene Schoessler, Ritzville; and six sons, Gust, Alfred, Herbert and Reuben, all of Moses Lake, and Harold and Terry at the home. Also surviving were three sisters, Mrs. Paulina Schmidt and Mrs. Lydia Schmidt, both of North Dakoka, and Mrs. Katie Kauld of Moses Lake; and two brothers, John Miller of Odessa and Jacob Miller of North Dakota. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements.