Note by Phyllis Brown:  Rose Leuenberger Hertz was Ritchey’s great-grandmother.  We found her grave, her marriage certificate and her life story just five years ago!  He didn’t know she existed before that, just that his grandmother (her daughter Esther) was a Hertz!

Rose was the daughter of Jacob Leuenberger and Margaret Streich, both born in Germany.

Death of Rose Leuenberger Hertz

Solon Economy, March 7, 1907

Solon, Iowa

Died in Kansas

Mrs. Geo. E. Hertz, who has been very low from consumption, died at Grainfield, Kansas, on Friday, March 1.  The remains were brought to Solon for burial, the family and Mrs. Leuenberger, who had been with her daughter, returning at the same time.

The funeral was held at the home of Mrs. Henry Hertz and at the German Lutheran church on Monday at 10 a.m.  Rev. J. G. Goerlein conducted the services assisted by Rev. C. Mordorf of Monticello.  The remains were interred in Oak Grove cemetery.

A large number of relatives and neighbors of the deceased attended the services.  An obituary notice of Mrs. Hertz is deferred until another issue on account of the serious illness of Esther Hertz, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Hertz.  Mr. Hertz is in Iowa City with his child.

Solon Economy, March 14, 1907

Solon, Iowa

In Memoriam

Rose Leuenberger was born March 31, 1876 at the old Leuenberger homestead 2 ½ miles east of Solon where she grew to womanhood, and on September 28, 1898, was united in marriage to George E. Hertz.  They settled on a farm south of Solon where they lived for six years, at which time Mrs. Hertz’ health began to fail, so they moved to Missouri where her health only improved for a short time.  At the end of two years they concluded to go to Western Kansas and on December 1^st, 1906, with their family they left Butler, Missouri, for Grainfield, Kansas.  Soon after she began to fail and on March 1, 1907, at 9 a.m., the death angel called to relieve her suffering.

She was a faithful wife and a loving mother.  She was a true Christian in that she loved those things that are Christlike.  His worship and his praise were dear to her.  Her pain and suffering she bore in silence.  She came close in her life to the ideal Christian.  The one whom Christ called blessed was poor in spirit, mourned for sin, was meek, did hunger and thirst after righteousness, was merciful, was pure in heart.  To such a one he gave the promises:  theirs is the kingdom of heaven; they it is who shall be comforted, who shall obtain mercy, who shall see God, who shall be called the children of God.  In this her favorite song she expressed her heart’s desire.

O, let me cling to Thee

My Saviour, cling to Thee

When I am weak and weary,

And my path is dreary,

O, let me cling to Thee

My Savior cling to Thee.

O, let me cling to Thee,

My Saviour, cling to Thee

When I cross the river

Which from earth doth sever,

O, let me cling to Thee

My Saviour, cling to Thee.

There are left to mourn her death, the husband and two children, Harold aged seven years and Esther aged five years and a mother, five sisters and three brothers.

We the husband and children of the departed extend our sincere thanks to all our neighbors and friends for their sympathy and help in our bereavement.  George Hertz and family.