Edward Henry Guritz - 1919-2008

GURITZ, LUCHT, LAURIDSEN, MILLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-volunteer (email)
Date: 10/29/2016 at 17:00:22

Mapleton Press
27 March 2008

Edward Guritz-1919-2008

Edward H. Guritz, age 88 of Mapleton died Sunday, March 16, 2008 in Mapleton.

Services were held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton with Rev. Dr. Scott Fiege officiating. Burial was at 2 p.m. Thursday at Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery, Glidden, LA. Karen Krusen was the organist for the service and the congregation sang, "On Eagles Wings", "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art". A prayer service was held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Edward Henry Guritz was born August 6, 1919, at Coon Rapids, Iowa, the son of Henry and Minnie (Lucht) Guritz. He graduated from high school after having excelled in every high school sport that was available to him. He had an opportunity to go to college with his athletic talents but he was needed at home to work.

In 1940, Ed married Esther Lauridsen at Coon Rapids. The couple had two children, Paul and Carolyn. They farmed for 25 years in the Bayard and Scranton areas. Ed retired from farming in 1968 and went to work for a seed corn company. Esther died in 1982. After working in the seed business for 20 years, he retired on February 26, 1988 and on February 27, 1988, married Bernice Miller of Mapleton, Iowa. They shared time in both their homes in Mapleton and Carroll until later deciding to reside permanently in Mapleton.

Ed was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton.

Survivors include Ed's one son and his wife, Paul and Diane Guritz of Sac City, Iowa; his one daughter, Carolyn Carson of Carroll, Iowa; one grandson and his wife, Robert and Rachel Guritz of Albany, Missouri; one granddaughter and her husband, Kathy and Scott Hast of Sturgis, South Dakota; and one sister, Eva Carlson of Story City, Iowa.

Surviving members of Bernice's family include herself; three children, a daughter Karen LeFebvre and her husband, John of Sioux City, Iowa; a son Steve Miller and his wife, Grace of the New Orleans, Louisiana area; and a daughter, Marsha Bell and her husband, Les, of Mapleton, Iowa; along with many grandchildren and a few great grandchildren.

Along with his first wife, Ed was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, James Carson; two sisters, Amanda who died in 1951 and Iva who died July 2, 1941; and one brother-in-law, Harold Carlson.

Pallbearers were Herman Lucht, Kenneth Lucht, Gene Walker, Ron Lucht, Larry Palmtag and Don Pevestorf.

Arrangements were made under the direction of the Armstrong Funeral Home of Mapleton.