Minnie Alma Fritz 1885-1915

FRITZ, MCCALL, HART

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/10/2011 at 22:45:02

Sacred to the Memory of
Minnie Alma Fritz
Whose mortal remains are now safely at rest within the protecting bosom of mother earth and whose enfranchised soul is hovering within the gates of that heavenly paradise where peace and love prevail. For many years the little girl, and such she seemed to those who knew her best, so frail and delicate, so meek and unaffected was she, has made her way patiently toiling, unselfishly devoting a major portion of her energies and thoughts to the welfare of others, enjoying the few pleasures that fell to her lot to an extent that seems inconceivable when we stop to think of the efforts they cost, made her universally beloved and respected, an exemplification of ideal modern womanhood, refined, capable, warmhearted and all that was good she lived, and now that she has trod “the great world’s altarstairs that slope through darkness up to God.” her memory will live, serving as an incentive to better and kindlier lives, arousing within us a desire to so live that we may merit the blessings which come to those who serve so faithfully and well as did Minnie. During the last few weeks of her life, her body was racked with sufferings which it seemed would rend soul and body, but she met and passed through them with the same patience that characterized her whole life. At a time when it was thought that she was well on the way to complete recovery, when she herself was rejoicing in the expectation of returning at an early date to her friends and her duties and these friends were anxiously awaiting her return, the loving Father opened his arms and called, and Minnie, remembering the sorrows and hardships which had been hers in natural life, tired and worn out from her recent sufferings and long years of patient striving, closed her eyes in natural slumber from which she was never to awaken in the flesh. As peacefully and gently as comes sweet sleep, her soul took flight, leaving behind only the shell which had furnished it with an earthly habitation and over which we have today said the last sad rites and endeavored to express to the world a portion of the genuine love and affection which was felt for our departed friend during life.

Obituary
The entire community was shocked Monday afternoon when the word was sent out announcing the sudden death of Miss Minnie Fritz. About two years ago she had an attack of appendicitis. She rallied from it and was not operated upon. However her health never fully recovered from the attack. A few weeks ago another sudden attack came off and on the 19th of January she underwent a very successful operation. She was soon strong enough to be taken from the hospital to the home of some friends. Sunday she wanted to go out into the country and visit her sister, Mrs. Grover McCall. Mr. and Mrs. McCall came after her Sunday afternoon and she stood the trip very nicely. Sunday evening she was in the best of spirits and spent a pleasant evening at her sister’s. Monday morning about seven o’clock her sister heard a groan in her room and hastened to her bedside. She said her head hurt her and placed her hand to her head. Immediately she became unconscious. The doctor was called and a trained nurse secured but in spite of the best medical care and the desire of her friends she passed away at 3:35 Monday [February 8, 1915] afternoon without regaining consciousness.

Minnie Alma Fritz was born in Cedar Rapids April 22, 1885. When she was still a babe her parents moved to LeMars, Iowa, where they lived until 1890 when they moved to Estherville where they have since resided, with the exception of one year which was spent in St. Joe, Missouri.

As a girl Minnie attended the public schools of Estherville. She was not able to take the high school course but was obliged to take up work instead. For a few years she clerked in some of the stores in our town. Later she entered the newspaper or printing work, first working in the Reporter office under the management of Mr. Cox. Then she entered the employ of the Enterprise where she was a faithful worker for several years. For four years she has been employed at the Democrat office where she was working when taken sick. She leaves to mourn her departure her father and Mother, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Fritz, one brother, Henry L., and one sister, Mrs. Grover McCall of Estherville, and one sister, Mrs. O. W. Hart of Galva, Illinois, and one little niece, Detta Hart, besides numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

“Dearest sister, thou hast left us;
We our loss do deeply feel;
But ‘tis God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrow heal.”

The funeral services were held at the Union Baptist church at 2:30 this afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. Frederic Catlin and the interment took place in Oak Hill cemetery. (Democrat, Estherville, IA, February 10, 1915)

Entered Into Rest Eternal
Miss Minnie A. Fritz Gave Up Life’s Struggle After Weeks of Suffering
The End Came Very Suddenly
Sunday Afternoon Deceased Was in Gay Spirits; Monday Afternoon She Was Cold in Death
Minnie Fritz is dead. Monday afternoon at three-thirty o’clock the gates of heaven stood ajar and the soul of this bright lady departed from the frail body that housed its terrestrial existence and ascended to its home celestial. There may have been rejoicing among the angels as this rare soul was ushered into the Golden City, but genuine sorrow and deep anguish reigned in Estherville when it became known that Minnie had given up the struggle for life, and the hands that had been so ready and willing to smoothe and allay the aches and pains of those about her during their brief sojourn in this vale of tears were now crossed in the sleep that knows no awakening. Death is always a sad thing to contemplate, and becomes poignant in its reality, especially when the victim proves to be one who has but stepped out upon the threshold of life. In this case the Reaper claimed a young lady who possessed the happy faculty of scattering sunshine along her pathway, for she ever had a kind word and a bright smile for her daily associates and many friends. The writer has seen her under trying circumstances, when pain racked her frail body so deeply as to cause tears to flow, dismiss self utterly and undertake the tasks of her avocation with the stoicism of a martyr. The day never grew too long nor the task too irksome to rob Minnie of the sweet disposition that made her so well loved by the legion of friends that she claimed for her own.

Something like eight months ago the deceased had an attack of appendicitis, but rallied from the attack to such an extent that an operation was not indulged. However, she never fully regained normal health, and during the holidays suffered another attack. On January 19th she submitted to the surgeon’s knife and the operation was thought to have been a successful one, as she was soon strong enough to be removed from the hospital to the home of friends in the city, and on Sunday afternoon expressed a desire to go to the home of her sister, Mrs. Grover McCall, who resides near town. This wish was granted and the evening at the country home was pleasantly spent, Minnie retiring in good spirits. Monday morning about seven o’clock Mrs. McCall heard a groan in her sister’s room and hastened to her bedside. That was the beginning of the end. Minnie said her head pained her, and placed her hand to her head; immediately afterward she lapsed into unconsciousness, and despite the best medical and loving solicitude she passed away at 3:30 o’clock without having regained consciousness.

Minnie Alma Fritz was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 22, 1885. When she was still a babe her parents moved to LeMars, Iowa, where they resided until 1890, when they moved to this city, where they have since lived, with the exception of one year, which was spent in St. Joseph, Mo. After leaving school, deceased spent a few years as clerk in some of our stores but of late years has been engaged in newspaper work, and was considered one of the neatest members of the art preservative in Northwest Iowa.

She leaves to mourn her departure her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Fritz, one brother, Henry L. and one sister, Mrs. Grover McCall, of Estherville, and one sister, Mrs. O. W. Hart, of Galva, Ill., besides other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services are being held at the Baptist church this afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. Frederic Catlin, after which interment will be made in beautiful Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 10, 1915)