Aurit, Benjamin J., 1878 or 9-1922

AURIT, MCKENNA

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/23/2017 at 19:32:48

From the Rock Valley Bee, March 10, 1922:

B. J. AURIT PASSED AWAY TUESDAY EVENING

B. J. Aurit passed away at his home in Rock Valley Tuesday evening after a lingering illness of several weeks. In fact, he had not been well for years, having suffered greatly at times with rheumatism, but his family and friends did not realize that the end was so near. He was taken to his bed four or five weeks ago and gradually grew weaker day by day until the final summons came.

Mr. Aurit was a man of a generous, kind and happy disposition, who invariably made his acquaintances [h]is friends. He had a good word and a cheerful greeting for all and he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He had lived in Rock Valley practically all his life, coming here with his parents when he was eight months old. He conducted a barber shop in Rock Valley for many years, though of late he had not been able to work much.

Mr. Aurit was born April 4, 1878, at Elk Grove, Wisconsin, and had attained the age of 43 years, 11 months and 3 days. He was united in marriage January 7, 1901, to Maggie McKenna. To this union four children were born, Leo, Aileen, Marguerette and Eleanor, all of whom are at home with their mother.

Besides his wife and aged father, he leaves three brothers and four sisters as follows: Henry of Mankato, Minn.; John of Dubuque, Iowa; Jerry of Rock Valley; Mrs. Kate Schemmer of Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Elsie Stengel of Canton, S.D.; Mrs. Cora McElroy of Rock Valley, and Mrs. Marie Warren of Spencer.

Funeral services will be held this Friday morning at St. Mary’s church in Rock Valley. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of many friends in their great sorrow.

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From the Alton Democrat, March 18, 1922, Rock Valley news:

BEN AURIT PASSES ON [IN] ROCK VALLEY

Ben J. Aurit an esteemed citizen of this community died at his home in Rock Valley Tuesday evening Mar. 7 after an illness of a period of five weeks due to rheumatic endocarditis. For several years he has been afflicted with rheumatism and sought medical relief which was only temporary, but finally culminated in his death.

The deceased was born in Elk Grove, Wis., April 4, 1878 and was 43 years 11 months and 3 days old at his death. Coming wit his parents to Rock Valley when but an infant and grew to manhood in this community. He was married to Mss Maggie McKenna, and as a result they had an interesting family of four children who keenly feel the loss the have sustained.

Mr. Aurit possessed the faculty of making friends by his cheerful happy disposition and was highly esteemed by all. He entered the barber trade under the tutorship of John Frembgen and after his death he operated the shop successfully until his passing. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and was its clerk for a period of two years. He also was a member of the Catholic order of Foresters.

He leaves a companion and children, an aged father, four brothers and four sisters, namely Henry of Mankato, John of Dubuque, Jerry and Cleve of Rock Valley, Mrs. Kate Schemmer of Omaha, Mrs. Elsie Stengel [of] Canton, Mrs. Cora McElroy [of] Rock Valley, Mrs. Marie Warren of Spencer.

Funeral services were held at the Catholic church Friday morning and the pastor Rev. John A. O'Rielly celebrated mass in the presence of a large gathering of neighbors and friends. During the funeral business places were closed out of respect to the deceased. His bier was laden with floral tributes contributed by the societies of which he was a worthy member. The family have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their hour of bereavement.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Aurit, Benjamin, b. 1879, d. 1922, St. Mary's Cath Cem Rock Valley IA.