Frances E. Hitz

Frances Estelle Hitz, 95, left this world on October 18, 2012, at her home on the family farm near Bremen, ND.


Frances was born, November 2, 1916, to William and Frances (Dusek) Hartl, the seventh of eight children, and grew up on the family farm in Bremen Township, Wells County, ND. She attended Bremen country grade school and graduated high school at New Rockford Central in 1934. Frances worked one year after high school before attending Valley City State Teachers College and graduated with a teacher’s certificate in 1937. After college, Frances taught at Bremen, Germantown, and New Rockford Consolidated schools.


In the spring of 1944, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, one of the first women to serve in the Marines. She was stationed at Eagle Mountain Lake, TX, then at Camp Pendleton, CA where she served as head librarian and motion picture technician until her honorable discharge at the end of the war. She was always very proud of her service to her country as a United States Marine.


On August 23, 1943, she married her hometown sweetheart, Frank J. Hitz in Pomona, CA, where Frank was stationed with the U.S. Army before going overseas to the European Theatre.


In 1945, they returned to the Hitz farm at Bremen to begin farming and raising their nine children and a grandson, Jason LaFontaine. They also took in a foster child, John Cavalier, for two years.


Frances was active in her parish, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Bremen, where she was Choir Director for many years and active in her Church Circle group.


She enjoyed gardening, reading, spirited discussions on almost any topic, and traveling. One of the highlights of her travel experience was a trip back to her native land of Czechoslovakia with her daughter and brother in 1989, where she reconnected with family and family history and where she enjoyed conversing in her first language, Czech.
Ultimately, though, her most important purpose in life was her family’s well-being and fulfillment.


She is survived by six daughters, Melanie (Joe) Darville, Freeport, Bahamas, Gail Marie, Rogers, MN, Dianne Goebel, New Rockford, ND, Miriam (Marvin) Aardahl, Saugas, CA, Agnes (Vern) Olson, Fargo, ND, Jeanine Irmen, Galt, CA; two sons, John (Sharlena) Hitz, New Rockford, ND, Billy Hitz, Plymouth, MN; 8 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.


Frances was preceded in death by her husband Frank of 47 years; a daughter, Francine LaFontaine; her parents; 3 brothers, Edmund, Albert, William; 4 sisters, Henrietta Toay, Agnes Hartl, Georgie Walters, Hermina Lies; and a great-grandson, Lane LaFontaine.

Semper Fi

 

FUNERAL SERVICE: St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 10:30 AM

INTERMENT: Bremen Cemetery, Bremen, ND, Wednesday at 1:00 PM

Posted Condolences:

 

Name: Billie Jo

Date: 24 Oct 2012

Message: I am so sorry for your Loss. I loved going over the farm house and visiting w/ Frances. I truely believe if women know everything; it was Her! Just to listen to her wisdom, experiences, war stories ect...was ever so enlightening and so self inspiring. What a great woman who made an incredible impact in this world, her community, her church, her endevours, and anyone who ever talked her or was in her presence. My Deepest Sympathy to you ALL

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Name: Melissa Wilson (Olson)

Date: 10-22-12

Message: My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Frances will always be etched in my memories (so sweet). I am so glad I had a chance to know her as well as all of you. May you all find peace in knowing that she is with God in his kingdom. Love to you all, Melissa

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Name: Mary Gaffrey-Knier

Date: 22-Oct-12

Message: We prayed in church yesterday for Frances Hitz,  George Lies' aunt who died,. I thought, "I wonder if that is Miriam's mom?" I want to express my sympathies to your family. My mom also spoke "Cheske", I wish I had known, we could have brought those two women together and they would have had some great conversations. God bless you.

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Name: m. k. kincaid

Date: 10/22/2012

Message: Lynn and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Semper Fi.

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Name: Nancy Giltner

Date: 10/22/12

Message: My condolences to the family. What a wonderful legacy she has left all of you.
God Bless,
Nancy Giltner

 

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Name: Leona (Dyrness) Fox

Date: 10/22/12

Message: My Dear Hitz Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you say "Goodbye" to your beautiful mother. It is great sadness and joy all at the same time! I will forever be thankful for the wonderful time spent at the Hitz farm. I know your mother was a beautiful example of Love, Comfort, Guidance and all the best qualities of a mother. I can still see her playing the piano at your home, while we sang "The Happy Wanderer"!
To this day I so often think of Francine, as well, and miss the friend that I lost at such a young age. She will have more company in Heaven now as her mom joins her!! God Bless you all!
Sincerely,
Leona(Dyrness)Fox

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Name: Richard & (Arlene), Deborah Sheidler

Date: October 21, 2012

Message: Our hearts are with the whole "Hitz" family, as we are sending all our Love and the most supportive wishes during this time of loss of your Dearest "Mother" & "Grandmother". 

I so wished I could of come up to North Dakota with Jeanine and had the Extra Special Opportunity of meeting your dear "Mother" & the whole family at the "Hitz Farm".  "Dad" & I so enjoyed creating the sweet fan for "Francis" and was so pleased to here what enjoyment it gave her.

We are also pleased to know that all of you will be together as a family, to Celebrate your incrediable "Mothers" life, for nothing is more important than Family and Friends, and from what I know about "Francis", this was her most important role in her blessed life.

Inclosing our sincest appreciation also for her dedicated time spent in the U.S. Marine Corps, and to have been apart in paving the way as one of the first women to serve in the Marines - what a brave & intelligent young woman!  I admire her so............

With all our love and deepest sympathy,

Richard & (Arlene) & Deborah Sheidler

Sacramento, CA 

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Name: Bernadette Whetham

Date: 10-20-12

Message: Thinking of you all.  Aunt Frances was an amazing woman.  May she rest in peace.  I remember all the times we had family gatherings at your house.  We had an awful lot of fun.  She was a very gracious hostess.  Sorry I will not be able to visit with you all, but know that I will be thinking about you and praying for everyone's safe travels.

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Name: Deb Hoffman

Date: 10/19/2012

Message: My thoughts and prayers are with the Hitz family at this time. May God be with you as you navigate through this great loss and may your memories help you to try to find peace. Frances was a great lady and I enjoyed the times I spent with her on the farm during hunting season. She will be greatly missed by all.