1925 - Brookings Register newspaper obituary, December 24, 1925

Mrs. Fred E. Kurtz

Elta Lillian Kretsinger was near, Elkton. S. D.; October 10, 1897. She was the youngest daughter of a family of eight children born to Eldridge and Lottie May Kretsinger. Her youth was spent in the vicinity of her birth. Her education was secured in the high school of Elkton and the Northern Normal school at Aberdeen. After finishing the normal School she taught for two years at Egan. On August 18, 1919, she was married to Fred E. Kurtz. They made their home at Wheatland, Wyo., for three years, after which they moved to Esterville, Iowa, where they have resided for about three years.

Their family consists of three children, Curtis E., aged 5 years; Doreen B., aged 4 years, and Elta May, six months old. For several years Mrs. Kurtz had been subject to chronic headaches. On December 7 she submitted to an operation which promised relief and which was apparently successful. Other complications existed, however, which became critical, and a second operation was performed. Neither skill nor treatment proved equal to the emergency and she passed away early Monday morning, December 14, aged 28 years.

Mrs. Kurtz was a member of the Eastern Star at Wheatland. Wyo., and of the American Legion Auxiliary at Estherville, Iowa. She was also a member of the Methodist church. She took an active part in the work of the Sunday school and was very highly esteemed for her proficiency in teaching the youth. She was possessed of quick perception and an attractive personality. Those who were privileged to be associated with her in any activity were impressed with her integrity of character. She was a good mother and a faithful wife. Her circle of friendships numbered all those who knew her. Her sudden departure in the full flush of womanhood is not only a shock to her friends but a pall over the community where she lived.

In addition to her husband and three children she is survived by her father and mother, and also two sisters, Mrs. Iva Ann Kurtz of Elkton, and Mrs. Ada Fay Miller of Dell Rapids; also one brother, Delmer Kretsinger of Elkton, who resides with his parents. All of these were present on the day of her death.

The funeral services were held at E1kton in the Methodist church Monday afternoon and was conducted by Dr. R. T. Chipperfield, her pastor from Estherville, Iowa.

Lewis Kretsinger