Person:Elizabeth Rittgers (2)

"Lizzie" is age 2 on 1880 census with her parents Webster Twp., Polk Co., Ia.[ED 175, p 5 87A, fam #282/236] and 22 on the 1900 census.[ED 112, p 290, fam #154/162] Called Gretchen in the family record. Her obituary reads: "Elizabeth Rittgers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Rittgers, was born May 19, 1878 and died May 25, 1917, aged thirty-nine years and six days. She leaves besides her parents, two brothers, Charles R. of Brooklyn, New York, and Anson B. of Ankeny, Iowa. She was converted in early childhood and united with her home church. Believing that the teacher's profession afforded greater opportunity for doing good, she chose that for her life work and followed it until failing health compelled her to cease. A successful teacher, a devoted daughter and sister and loving friend, she had gone from our midst, leaving only tender memories and kindly deeds. With truth it can be said of her: "She hath done what she could." She died of diabetes and chronic kidney infection from the diabetes.

1. ↑ ED 112, p. 290, fam #154/162
   Rittgers, Michael, head, b Sept 1850, 49, m24yr, b Oh to father b Va, mother b Ger
   farmer on farm owned free
   Mary E., wife, b Oct 1847, 53, m 24 yr, born 3 children/2 alive, b Me to
   father b Me, mother b Eng
   Lizzie, dau, b May 1878, 22, b Ia
   Anson, son, b Sept 1885, 14, b Ia
   Close, Lizzie, boarder, b July 1889, 10, b Ia