Pitstick, Henry W., 1863-1938

PITSTICK, KURTENBACH, WALBRINK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/14/2017 at 07:23:27

From the Boyden Reporter, February 3, 1938, p. 8:

Obituary
Henry W. Pitstick

Mr. Pitstick was born on a farm southwest of Mendota, in La Salle County Ill., the second child of Peter Pitstick and Elizabeth Kurtenbach Pitstick. His father died when Henry was quite young and the management of the farm fell on his shoulders.

At the age of 19 years he came to Iowa for three years, and made his home with Mr. and Mrs. John Hochstatter, who lived southwest of Sheldon. He then returned to his home in Illinois for a year, at the end of which he again came to Boyden to make his future home.

At the age of 32 years he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Walbrink of Boyden, and for 42 years they lived together in a happy and congenial life.

Mr. Pitstick was an honest and upright citizen, true in all his dealings, always having the welfare of his neighbors and community at heart. His one law was the substance of the Golden Rule, "Treat your fellowmen as you would have them treat you."

Henry W. Pitstick leaves to mourn his demise, his widow, Mrs. Kate Pitstick; two brothers, John of Chicago, and Joe of Mendota, Ill.; also two sisters, Mrs. Louise Roetzel of Mendota, Ill., and Mrs. Amiet of Chicago.

Mr. Pitstick conducted the Button Elevator in Boyden for several years before becoming postmaster, an office which he held for almost twenty years. He was a town councilman for nearly 11 years. He was serving on the council at the time of his death, and was respected for the straightforward manner in which he gave his decisions on all civic and community affairs. Mr. Pitstick spent the past two years quietly at home, resting from life's hard toil, a rest he so honestly earned.

Funeral services were held here on Monday afternoon at 1:30 at the home, and 2 o'clock at the United Presbyterian church with Rev. J. Pollock in charge. Interment was made in the Boyden cemetery.

Among the relatives from out of town who attended the services were: Mrs. Ernest Amiet of Chicago, Mrs. Louise Roetzel of Mendota, Ill., John Pitstick of Chicago, Joe Pitstick of Mendota; Mrs. Adeline Babbit and son of Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Edna Anderson and daughter Nancy of Kankakie, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. John Roetzel of Hospers; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Roetzel of Madison, S.D.; Mrs. Gertie Terrell of Omaha, Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Walbrink and Janice and Carolyn of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Leonard Roetzel of Worthington, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Honkamp of Reading, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. John Pitstick and Miss Francis Pitstick of Rockwell City; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pitstick of Storm Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Robinet of Sibley, and Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hoffman of Ashton.

Among those from Sheldon were: Mr. and Mrs. Wilsey, Mrs. Mattie Tuttle, Chas. Frohmein, George Bloxham, James Reaney, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Meyn, Mrs. Dora Ruby, Mr. and Mrs. John Scholten, Ray Vanden Brink, Mrs. Nell Vanden Brink, and Mrs. M. Verrips.

(On p. 5 of the same issue is a photo of Pitstick at the time he became Boyden's ex-postmaster, with his former assistant and his successor.)

* * * * * * * * * *

A shorter obit was published in the Sioux County Capital, February 10, 1938. It adds this:

Mr. Pitstick managed the Button elevator in Boyden for several years, then had a threshing ring for quite a few more years, after which he was Boyden's post master for nearly twenty years. At the time of his death he was serving a term as town councilman, a position which he held for eleven non consecutive years.

* * * * * * * * * *

A brief note in the Hawarden Independent, February 3, 1938, says he died of a heart attack.

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Pitstick, Henry W., b. 1863, d. 28 Jan 1938, Sheridan Twp Cem Boyden IA.