Hans Carl Henry Moritz 1910-1946

MORTIZ, JORGENSEN, LEISCH

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/12/2012 at 00:20:16

Estherville – Hans Moritz, 40, was killed Monday when his plane crashed 11 miles southeast of Estherville. Moritz, a member of the Iowa Flying Farmers organization, is survived by his widow and 5 boys. (Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, Burlington, IA, December 24, 1946)

Killed in Plane Crash (Estherville Daily News)
Hans Moritz, Estherville farmer, was killed about 2:30 Monday when he crashed in his airplane in a field about three miles north of Halfa.

According to word received by Harry Coffee at the Estherville airport, Moritz’s plane went into a spin at low altitude and crashed into the field.

Moritz had flown a neighbor to a sale near Halfa and then had flown to Fairmont to see a brother who [missing line] the crash occurred as he was returing to the sale to pick up the neighbor.

Vernon Topp, also a flying farmer, flew to the same sale Monday and had given Mortiz a crank when he took off for Fairmont.

Dr. Hugo Lindholm, of Armstrong, was reported as being in the vicinity of the crash when it occurred and arrived at the scene a short time afterwards. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, December 26, 1946)

Hans Carl Henry Moritz
Hans Carl Henry Moritz was born November 11, 1910, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mortiz in Denmark. His father passed away while Hans was still an infant. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith before leaving Denmark. Mr. Moritz came to America at the age of 14 coming directly to Fairmont, Minnesota to the home of his brother, Henry Moritz.

He was married to Edna Jorgensen August 15, 1933, the ceremony taking place at Clear Lake. After their marriage they spent six months working on a dairy farm in Granada, Minn., and then moved to Estherville and started their dairy business in which they have been active since.

Eight children were born to this union, two of whom have died previously. The children now living are Robert, 11, Ronald, 9, Kenneth, 8, Leonard, 4, Dale, 3, and James 2. These children and his wife survive him. One brother, Henry, is also among the survivors and he lives at Fairmont, Minn., and one sister, Mrs. Dagemer Leisch, living in Germany. His mother also survives him and lives in Germany.

Mr. Mortiz died in an airplane crash on Monday afternoon, December 23. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at the Mahlum and Sandin Funeral chapel and at 2:00 o’clock at the Estherville Lutheran Church. Burial was made in East Side cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, January 2, 1947)