Belle Hetzel (1853-1923)

HETZEL

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 14:43:25

MRS. FRED HETZEL 1853-1923
PIONEER RESIDENT CALLED BY DEATH
Was One of Avoca’s Most Prominent Ladies
Past State President of Rebekah Lodge

Monday noon the citizens of Avoca were sadly shocked to learn of the death of Mrs. Fred Hetzel. Though she had been in frail health for the past two years, the end came as a surprise, as she was about her home as usual until Friday night.

Belle Boyd was born at Blanchester, Ohio, in October 1853, and moved to Wilton Junction this state when a small child. She completed a college and seminary course at this place and from there went to Muscatine, where she taught school until her marriage to Mr. Fred Hetzel April 8, 1873.

Not quite a year ago, Mr. and Mrs. Hetzel, together with their five children, six grandchildren and many friends had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Mrs. Hetzel came to Avoca immediately after her marriage, and was of the pioneers, as she had been a resident of Avoca fifty-one years, lacking a few weeks. She was a devoted member of the Rebekah lodge of Avoca for fifty years, she was also a member the Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. She was president of the Rebekah Assembly of Iowa during the Spanish-American war. The labors of this office were most arduous as she called upon every lodge in the state to do war work, sending patterns and supplies to many different lodges. Her efforts along this patriotic work met with wonderful response.

As a church worker, Mrs. Hetzel served as superintendent of the Prebyterian Sunday school for seven years, taking with her, her three small children. Mrs. Hetzel was member of the two literary clubs “The Saturday Club” and “The Open Door Club”. She also assisted in caring for the Avoca Public Library.

But this public work was not done at the expense of her duty to her family. As a loving wife and mother she was constant in her endeavor to make the members of her family happy. NOt only was it her care to give her children a happy childhood, but she made a home for her aged parents, and made smooth their pathway till they passed beyond her love and care.

No home in our city more hospitable, and where so many have passed pleasant hours of social enjoyment. As a woman, she was noted for her ministrations to the sick and suffering. And not from her lips ever fell words of unkind gossip.

She leaves to mourn her departure, and to call her blessed, her husband and five children, Roy Hetzel of Avoca, Dr. Clarence Hetzel of Ogden, Utah; Mrs. D. J. Howell of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Mrs. Carl Battey of Boone, Iowa; and Miss Belle Hetzel, a teacher in the Central High School of Omaha. Also six grandchildren: Pauline Hetzel, Charles, Robert and Mary Frances Hetzel; Charline and Jean Battey.

So has departed from her family, the devoted wife and mother; from her associates in church and lodge, a faithful member, from her associates, a true friend. We will miss her gentle voice, her smile, her words of cheer.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, February 24 (1923) at 2 o’clock from her late home, Rev. Kilmer officiating. Burial service by Prudence Rebekah lodge of Avoca, owing to the weather were put on at the home in place of at the cemetery. Mrs. Ruth Neff, of Walnut, President of the Rebekah Assembly of Iowa was present and gave a short eulogy. Interment was in the Avoca cemetery.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald