Gartz, Gilbert died 1918

GARTZ, ROBBINS, GROVE, BANES, SHERMAN, WINTENBURG

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 11:10:26

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 24 Oct. 1918. Strawberry Point column.

The first gold star which will be placed on our service flag will be for Gilbert Gartz, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gartz, who passed away Sunday with influenza at Camp Dodge. Sunday, Oct. 13th, his parents received a message stating that he was seriously ill and to come at once, his mother leaving immediately. It was not his privilege to die in action but it was his untimely fate to die of disease contracted in the service yet his death is the same patriotic and glorious because he gave his life for his country. Gilbert was an industrious young farmer, helping his parents on the farm. Having to register in June he asked for no exemption and when his call came in September he left for Camp Dodge, although his aged parents needed his help. Besides his sorrowing parents, he leaves one brother, Homer at Oelwein, and five sisters: Mrs. Mary Robbins of Glazier, Texas, Mrs. Kate Grove of Marion, Mrs. Neva Barnes of Waterloo, Mrs. Lizzie Sherman of Edgewood, and Mrs. Lottie Wintenburg of Lamont, to mourn his death. And many of us feel that Mr. and Mrs. Gartz have fared better than we have, for they had something vital to give to this war. They have done something, even if that something meant sacrifice, and will mean suffering. It is hard to give up, but still it is blessed to have had that which was worth giving up. The remains were brought here Monday morning and interment took place Tuesday. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community.