Jennie E. (Finch) PRITCHARD

PRITCHARD, GROBATY, OBERHAUSER, THOMPSON, FINCH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/23/2010 at 20:51:59

[nee: Finch]

Jennie E. Pritchard, known by many as "Mrs. Republican" of Long Beach, died Wednesday, November 12, 1969. She was 92, at which age she played a vigorous role in last year's election campaign. A native of Garner, Iowa, Mrs. Pritchard came to Long Beach as a 70-year-old widow. In her native state she was a leading figure in the campaign for women's suffrage in 1915, pictured with her eight children and husband as a "womanly woman" in favor of the vote. State insurance chairman of the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs, in the 1930s, she created and became director of the Department of American Family for the National Association of Life Underwriters. She was organization chairman of the Iowa Council of Republican Women, secretary of the local Red Cross for 17 years, and the first president of the PTA in her home town. When the vote for women was won, she was elected a delegate to the Republican State Convention, and campaigned actively in every election since, attending three national presidential conventions. Mrs. Pritchard did not come to Long Beach to retire. She founded the North Long Beach Republican Club, serving as president for four years, helped organize the California National Federation of Press Women, and became a leading force at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, where she has been honored as "Mother of the Year" and received a plaque from the Sisters of the Holy Family for organizing the guild which has helped support the nuns. Last year, she managed a Republican candidate's office in North Long Beach and was actively engaged in other political tasks. Congressman Craig Hosmer presented her with an award of merit in which he credited her with an important role in his first successful congressional campaign in 1952. As captain of her precinct Mrs. Pritchard many times turned out a 100 per cent Republican vote. She treasured letters of appreciation from Presidents Eisenhower and Nixon, and said the finest birthday present she ever received was Nixon' s victory on her 91st birthday, November 5, 1968. Surviving are sons, Paul S. and John W. of Iowa, Harry M. and Robert of Ohio, Walter S. of Long Beach; daughters, Mrs. Raymond Grobaty and Mrs. Louis Oberhauser, both of Long Beach, 27 grandchildren including James C. Grobaty of Long Beach and Mrs. Rodney Thompson of Cypress, and 68 great grandchildren. Rosary will be recited tonight at 8 in Sheelar-Stricklin Mortuary. Requiem Mass will be celebrated Friday at 9 a.m. in St. Barnabas Church. Interment will be in Gamer, Iowa. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Sisters of the Holy Family.

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27 November 1969
Belmond Independent -- Iowa

Jennie E. Pritchard, age 92, mother of Mrs. L. B. Oberhauser of Long Beach, California, former Belmond resident, passed away Wednesday, November 12, in Long Beach. Burial was at Garner. A native of Garner, Mrs. Pritchard was a leading figure in Iowa politics and was in numerous other community activities while she lived in this state. When she moved to California, she continued to be active in club and church and played a vigorous role in Nixon's election. Surviving are four sons, two daughters, 27 grandchildren, and 68 great grandchildren.