STORTZ, Vera Julia 1903-2001

BARTH, STOSKOPF, STORTZ, AKRE, SCHRIM, THOMPSON

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/15/2010 at 14:44:30

Decorah Journal, Thursday, March 8, 2001

Vera Stortz

Vera Stortz, 97, died Monday March 6, 2001 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held Thursday (today) March 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Allen Schmitt officiating.

Casket bearers are Steve, Brian and Joe Stortz, Paul and Jim Akre and Jeff and Daniel Schirm.

Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon, with Martin Funeral Home of Waukon handling arrangements.

Vera Julia Stortz was born August 7, 1903 on the Pleasant Township, rural Decorah farm of her parents, Diebold and Julia (Barth) Stoskopf. She grew up in Winneshiek County and attended rural schools there.

On April 13, 1923 she married Leonard Stortz at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah. Together they farmed at several places in Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties before moving to Union Prairie Township in 1940 and then to Waukon in 1968.

Vera Stortz took part in much of the work on the farm as well as tending to the household. Her family was very important to her. She crocheted and sewed, making many of her children's clothes.

She was also a good cook and spent time gardening and canning. She enjoyed playing cards and raising flowers.

Vera Stortz was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the Farm Bureau.

Survivors include three daughters, Margaret Stortz of Waukon, Elizabeth and Ron Akre and Patricia and Russell Schirm, both of Bella Vista, Ark.; two sons, Francis and Kathryn Stortz and James and Shirley Stortz, both of Waukon; 35 grandchildren; 56 great grandchildren; 4 step great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Vera Julia Stortz was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard Stortz; a grandson, Michael; a great-granddaughter, BreAnn; a sister, Mayme Thompson and brothers Vernon and Harry Stoskopf as well as two younger brothers.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.