WITZEL, Bertha Minnie (nee Muller) 1881-1946

MULLER, WITZEL, HOLTZ, KOLLMAN, BORTZ

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 7/6/2009 at 16:59:49

Bertha Minnie Muller Witzel

Mrs. Bertha Minnie Muller Witzel, daughter of Otto and Anna Muller, was born in Cedar Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, March 26, 1881, and died at 8:00 p.m. January 8, 1946, at the Cedar Valley hospital, Charles City.

She was baptized and confirmed in the St. John's Lutheran church near Osage. At the age of fifteen, she moved to Rudd, Iowa, where she attended the public high school and afterward clerked at her father's store in Rudd.

On March 11, 1903, she was united in marriage with Edward Herbert Witzel, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Witzel of Rudd. She lived near and in Rudd the rest of her life taking a very active part in community and church affairs, acting as Sunday school teacher and president of the Missionary Society. For a number of years she attended the Methodist Episcopal church and later joined the Wesleyan Methodist church.

She was a devoted mother and a loving wife, having acted as constant companion, helper, and inspiration to her husband who has had failing eyesight for many years. Her life bore witness of a close walk with God. Because of failing health she was a witness that Jesus abides.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of the saints. She will be greatly missed by the church and those she loved.

Left to mourn is her husband, three daughters, two sons, seven grandchildren, five sisters, one brother, many relatives and friends.

The surviving relatives are: husband, Edward H. Witzel of Rudd; sons: Stanley A. Witzel, Madison, Wis.; Homer D. Witzel, Defiance, Ohio; daughters: Mrs. Selma Holtz, Elgin, Ill.; Mrs. Edna Holtz, Rudd, Iowa; Miss Iola Witzel, Elgin, Ill.; sisters: Lena Hartwig, Adolpha Kollman, Anna Muller, Hattie Bortz, and Amelia Muller, all of Osage; brother, Otto Muller, Bemidji, Minn.

Her death came suddenly due to complications resulting from a fractured hip received in a fall on ice Sunday, January 6.

Funeral services were held at the Wesleyan church at Rudd Friday afternoon.

[Obituary c/o Steve Norby, 2004]