Frances Reitz

FRANCES REITZ

Ila Frances Reitz, age 87, of Luray, MO, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2005 at the Clark Co. Nursing Home in Kahoka, MO.

She was born August 18, 1918, near Fairmont in Clark County, MO, a daughter of Thomas Van Cleve and Sarah Elizabeth Briscoe Speer.

On November 14, 1937, she was united in marriage to Elmer M. Reitz at Hannibal, MO.

He preceded her in death on May 8, 1988.

Survivors include two daughters, Marvis Trump and her husband, Harold, of Luray, MO, and Ronda McWilliams and her husband, Kent, of Marion, IL; a son-in-law, Darryl Ridgely of Lake Ozark, MO; two brothers, Walter E. and Dorothy Speer and Chester and Loretta Speer, all of Maywood, MO; a sister, Hazel Wiseman of Quincy, IL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Margaret and Mark Grimm of Wapello, IA, Mildred and Paul Butikofer of Elgin, IA and William J. Curry of Long Beach, CA: eight grandchildren: David and Debbie Ridgely of Lake Ozark, MO, Winona and Art Smith of Paris, TN, Grace and Fred Ruffy of Salt Lake City, UT, Deanna and Kurt Winters of Spring Hill, KS, Marla Pelton of Wright City, MO, Grant and Charlene McWilliams of Honolulu, HI, Graydon McWilliams, serving in the military in Iraq, and Kentyl and Jake Edwards of Marion, IL; fourteen great grandchildren: Erin, Megan and Joshua Ridgely and Kaitlin and Matthew Wood, all of Lake Ozark, MO, Emily Kueker and her husband, Doug, of Indianapolis, IN, Adryanna and Ian Smith of Paris, TN, Emalie and Nicholas Ruffy of Salt Lake City, UT, Trevor and Carissa Winters of Spring Hills, KS, Kristel Pelton of Macomb, IL and Karlee Pelton of Wright City, MO; as well as other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter, Delores K. Ridgely; two grandchildren, Judith Ann Ridgely and Mark Reitz Trump; and a sister, Catherine Spratt.

Frances graduated from Durham High School in 1936. Following her marriage, she and Elmer operated the first gas/convenience store in West Quincy, MO. In 1939 they moved to Clark County, MO where they raised grain crops, livestock, and chickens, serving as a supplier to Banquet Foods for 16 years.

From 1968 to 1980 they owned and operated Reitz Fabrics in Kahoka where they sold mainly fabrics and notions, but also carried a line of ladies and children's shoes and lingerie.

Frances was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kahoka where she served as teacher in the three year old nursery for approximately 40 years. She enjoyed working in her bountiful vegetable garden and beautiful floral gardens and loved to cook for her many family members and friends. She always enjoyed sewing, from clothes out of feed sacks to luxurious fabrics. Every Christmas her family looked forward to receiving one of her handmade creations. Her hobbies included feeding and fishing for catfish and bird watching. She always had fun when her family was around.

Funeral services are Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Kahoka with Dr. Rick Seaton and Rev. Darryl Ridgely officiating. Burial will be in Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends can call after 9 a.m. on Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Mark Trump Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Clark Co. Local Cancer Fund.