Maria Holtz

Funeral Held for Mrs. Maria Holtz

Maria Holtz of Harrison died the morning of April 22 at the Crawford Hospital at the age of 85.

She was born September 2, 1883, in Schuyler, Nebr., to Sophia Maibaum and Fritz Settagast. When 1 1/2 years old she moved with her parents, brother and sister to Richland, Nebr., where her father purchased a farm. She attended school and grew to young womanhood there. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith when a baby and was confirmed in 1897 at Schuyler.

On April 2, 1902, she married Ferdinand Holtz in the Lutheran Church at Schuyler. Two children, Paul and Esther, were born.

The family came to Sioux County in 1904 and settled on a homestead 12 miles northwest of Harrison, which is now owned and operated by their son Paul and his wife Ruby.

Maria was given an organ and brought it with her from Schuyler. She taught all the young folks of the area to play it. This organ and the treadle sewing machine which she used to make all their clothing and clothing for the neighbors around still stand in the living room of her home in Harrison. She was always ready to help her neighbors in case of need.

She was a charter member of the Lutheran Ladies Aid and of War Bonnet Project Club which she enjoyed very much.

In 1941 Maria lost her eye sight, and in 1943 Mr. and Mrs. Holtz moved to Harrison from their ranch. Their grandchildren, Verne, Marilyn, Durl and Donna and many other youth stayed with them and went to school.

In 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Holtz celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and observed their sixtieth anniversary in 1962. Each observance was held at the Lutheran Church in Harrison followed by open house at their home.

Maria was the last of the Settagast family; she was also preceded in death by her husband Ferdinand and her daughter Esther.

Surviving are her son Paul and four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Harrison with the Rev. T. O. Jacobsen officiating. Burial was in the Harrison Cemetery. Mrs. Morris Engebretsen, soloist, sang two of Mrs. Holtz's favorite songs, "God Will Take Care of You" and "How Great Thou Art." She was accompanied by Mrs. Jacobsen as organist. Pallbearers were Melvin Grote, Morris Engebretsen, Adolph Zurcher, Jerry Witt, Ted Davis, and Robert Mann.

This gravestone photo was found on nebraskagravestones.org.

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