Obit of Beatrice M SEITZ
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives August 13,
1998 by Connie Nelson < csnelson@ticon.net >
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Surnames: SEITZ, WEST, McMINN, STESSL, HAASE, LIBESCH

Seitz, Beatrice
JANESVILLE/WALWORTH CO.--Mrs. Beatrice M. Seitz, age 85,
formerly of 214 W. Van Buren St., Janesville, passed 
away early Fri., July 18, 1997, at Serena's Skilled Care
& Retirement Center, Tibbetts Township, Walworth County,
Wi.  She was born July 1, 1912, in LaGrange Twp, rural
Walworth Co., the eldest child of the late John and
Pauline (Gislerud) West. She attended school in LaGrange
Center, and was a graduate of Palmyra High School, Class
of 1933, and was a Co-Salutatorian of her class, an
honor she shared with her sister.  During the Depression
years, she worked at a variety of jobs, including
waitressing, as a telephone operator, and doing general
housework for other families.  On September 26, 1936,
she married Murle R. Seitz in Pewaukee, Wi.  They then
lived in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Pittsburg, Kansas, and
Coffeyville, Kansas, before coming back to LaGrange, and
finally settling in Janesville.  In Green Bay they began
caring for foster children, and over the years cared for
over 35 children.  Mrs. Seitz was a lifelong member of
the United Methodist Church.  She taught Sunday School,
served as President of the Women's Society, was a lay
delegate to the Annual Conference for several years, and
also wrote a history of Asbury United Methodist church
in Janesville.  She was a Past Matron for the Rob Morris
Chapter #10, Palmyra, worked on the LaGrange Election
Board, served as a juror in Walworth County Courts twice
and served on several church boards in Green Bay,
LaGrange and Janesville.  She became interested in
genealogy and helped organize the Rock County 
Genealogical Society.  She was a co-coordinator for the
Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Society in Rock and
Walworth counties and was a director for the Wisconsin
State Genealogical Society for several years. She became
interested in her family history around 1960, and did
research all over the United States.  She traveled
extensively in search of information for herself and
others.  She had 3 books published: "West Barker Hodges,
NY to Wisconsin, 1836-1846", "From Norway to the USA",
and "A Scotch-Irish Connection and a German Stowaway".
She was a very avid traveler, having visited 48 of the
50 states of our country.

Mrs. Seitz is survived by her husband, Murle R. Seitz;
their 2 children, Karen McMinn of Waterford, Wi., and
Peter (Sheila) Seitz of Edgerton, Wi.; a foster child,
Patricia Stessl; 10 grandchildren; 12 gr-grandchildren;
a sister, Eunice Haase of Fond du Lac, Wi.; and a 
brother, Lester A. West of LaGrange, Wi.  Besides her
parents, she was preceded in death by a sister,
Winnefred Libesch; and a brother, J. Laurence West.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Private interment will be in Round Prairie Cemetery,
LaGrange Twp, Walworth county.  Memorials in her name
may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church.  The
WHITCOMB FUNERAL HOME, Janesville, is assisting her 
family with the arrangements.