Elizabeth Keller Reitz (1839-1923)

REITZ, KELLER, ROUZER, HULL, GOUGHNOUR, LOOKINGBEILL, SUTTER, ENFIELD

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/18/2005 at 19:48:53

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, November 8, 1923, page 1, column 1. "AGED MAXWELL LADY ANSWERES FINAL CALL. - Mrs. C. Z. Reitz Passed away Last Friday Morning at Home After Brief Illness. - The community was saddened last Friday to learn of the death of one of Maxwell's pioneer residents, Mrs. C. Z. Reitz, who passed away at her home in Maxwell, after an illness of only several weeks duration, from an acute attack of heart trouble. Elizabeth Keller was born near Shanksville, Somerset county, Penn., October 28, 1839, and died at her home in Maxwell, November 2, 1923, at the age of eighty-four years and five days. She was the second daughter of a family of seven children, two boys and five girls born to Mr. and Mrs. Caspar Keller, of whom there remains but one sister, Mrs. Louisa Rouzer, of this place, to mourn her departure. On October 29, 1861, Elizabeth Keller was united in marriage to Conrad Z. Reitz, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride. To this union were born nine children, three boys and six girls, of whom two died in infancy, and one son just recently. Mr. and Mrs. Reitz made their home in Pennsylvania until 1864, when they moved to Dixon, Ill., where they resided until 1869, when they came to Iowa, and located on a wild prairie farm in Boone county, where they lived for twenty years. In 1890 they left this farm and moved to Maxwell where they have since resided. In 1921 this worth couple celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage; together they shared their joys and sorrows for sixty-two years, but now the loved one has gone to enjoy her blessedness with her dear Redeemer, and the loved ones who have gone before. For more than sixty-two years, Mrs. Reitz has been a faithful member of the Church of the Brethren. Besides the husband and sister, Mrs. Reitz is survived by one son, E. C. Reitz, of Missoula, Mont.; and five daughters: Mrs. Thos. Hull, of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. G. E. Goughnour, of Ankeny, Iowa; Mrs. C. E. Lookingbill, of Nevada, Iowa; Mrs. P. J. Sutter and Mrs. W. C. Enfield, of Maxwell. There are also left to mourn, nineteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and a large number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church, Sunday afternoon, conducted by Elder I. W. Brubaker, of Prairie City, assisted by Elder Robert Zink, of Elkhart, and Rev. H. D. Robinson, of Maxwell. A large concourse of people assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to the departed. Six grandsons of the deceased acted as pall bearers and the singing was by a mixed double quartet. Interment was in the Maxwell cemetery." "Card of Thanks. - We wish to thank the friends and neighbors for their sympathy and help during our bereavement in the loss of our beloved wife and mother. C. Z. Reitz and Children."

BURIAL: Iowa Historical Library, Des Moines, Iowa, VOL. IX GRAVE MARKER INSCRIPTIONS INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP, INC. CITY OF MAXWELL STORY COUNTY IOWA Pages 467 - 528. Page 462 - Elizabeth KELLER wife of C Z REITZ, 1839 - 1923, row 19, # 9.