Ernest B. Gaunitz 1888-1954

GAUNITZ, BARTHELD, RIETH

Posted By: Ellen LOTT (email)
Date: 11/29/2008 at 19:17:15

Funeral Services Friday For Ernest B. Gaunitz
Following an illness of almost two years Earnest B. Gaunitz passed away last Tuesday afternoon at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, where he had been taken for treatment on Wednesday of the previous week.

He was born April 17th,1888 at Lansing, the eldest son of Anna Bartheld and Ferdinand Gaunitz and graduated with the high school here with the class of 1904. On August 6th,1913 he was married to Miss Elsie Rieth of Lansing which has since been their home. Besides his bereaved wife he is survived by an only brother, Harold W., one aunt, Mrs. Bartheld of La Crosse and a number of cousins.

In early youth he started at work in the Gaunitz butcher shop and at the time of his death was in partnership with his brother Harold in the meat and grocery business here where he had spent most of his life. He was active in civic affairs and political doings from early manhood, having served on the Lansing town council years ago and more recently became a strong leader among northeast Iowa Republicans. In 1938 he was appointed to a post on the Iowa Conservation Commission, which position he filled until 1950. He was a member of the Evergreen Lodge 144 A.F. and A.M. of Lansing and the Martha Washington Chapter OES. Besides serving for years as an Elder of the Federated Church here, he was a long time member of the local group of Kiwanis International. In these official capacities he became widely acquainted throughout the state but to Lansing and vicinity he was affectionately known as "Ernie" to old and young alike. He was a true Christian gentleman and beloved by one and all.

The remains rested amidst a bower of beautiful floral offerings at his home on North Front St. from Wednesday afternoon until about noon Friday when they were taken to the Federated Church where services were conducted at 1:30 by the Rev. Calvin Willemssen, former pastor but now of Maynard, who also officiated at the grave in Oak Hill Cemetery where burial was made. George Aschom sang "Still Still With Thee" accompanied by Evelyn Lentz, organist. Despite the biting cold weather of Wednesday and Thursday evenings many friends went to his home to show respect to a very dear departed friend. The church was crowded at the time of the funeral and before it, showing evidence of the high esteem in which he was held. One car load of friends driving up from Des Moines were unable to get here because of icy roads and Lansing business places closed during the funeral hour. Carrying his mortal remains to their final resting place were Al Hefty, Odean Sandry, John Pete Spinner, Wilson Cooper, Clem Riek and Thomas Gilbertson.
Among the out of town relatives and friends attending the services were Mrs. Minnie Bartheld and daughter, Mrs. Marmaduke Eide and daughter, La Crosse; Miss Ruth Duty, Chicago; Mrs. Walter Miller, Crete, Ill; Mrs. Rose Severson and daughter, Mary Ellen, Minneapolis;Mr. and Mrs. Louis Knockel and little son of Clinton; Atty Floyd Pearson and Fred Bierman, Decorah; Mrs. Elsie Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thompson, Atty Arthur Jacobson, Sheriff Bill Huffman, Clerk of Court Lloyd Kolsrud, Charles Palmer, Irving Beeman, Mrs. Cletus Huffman, all of Waukon.