Harold W. Gaunitz

GAUNITZ, BARTHELD, THOMPSON

Posted By: Paul Moritz (email)
Date: 7/30/2010 at 06:20:50

PROMINENT LANSINGITE PASSED AWAY MONDAY
Harold W. Gaunitz passed away about eight o'clock Monday morning at the Hine's Veterans Hospital near Chicago where he had been a patient for the past two weeks. He had been in failing health noticeably for the past couple of months.
He was born March 2nd, 1891 in Lansing, a son of Anna C. Bartheld and Ferd Gaunitz. He graduated from the Lansing high school in 1908 and then went to Minnesota where for a number of years he was employed with a surveying crew in the iron mines vicinity later going to Canada where he was in the Canadian army. He returned to Lansing in May of 1918 and immediately joined the army and was sent to Fort Humphries, Va. where he trained, later being commissioned a 2nd Lt. at Camp Taylor, KY., where he was stationed at the end of World War I.
On June 8th, 1920 he was married to the former Ethel Thompson who preceded him in death in 1951. Following the death of his parents with his only brother, Ernest, the Gaunitz Market was continued by them for almost fifty years until Ernie's death and then operated alone by Harold until his retirement about seven years ago.
He was familiar known throughout the area and the state as "Red" for his friendly personality and many activities. He brought honor to Lansing in 1942 when in March of that year he was elected State Commander of the American Legion and for years in succession he attended all the state and national conventions. He was a member of the local Masos (sic), the Order of the Eastern Star, Lansing Kiwanis Club, former school board member for over 20 years and the First Presbyterian Church in Lansing. He was a lover of sport and the great outdoors, only last fall accompanying a group to Canada to hunt. Of generous nature he was a favorite of nieces and nephews and so well liked that every Lansing resident will read with regret of his death.
The remains were brought to the Burke Funeral Chapel last night and funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon, Thursday at one-thirty from the First Presbyterian Church where with Rev. Tjaden of Waukon officiating.
source: Allamakee Journal, Lansing, IA, May 10, 1967, page 1, column 6

DOD: 08 May 1967, burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lansing, IA