My maternal great-uncle
Great-uncle "Fritz" had an opinion about everything. He was very outspoken, especially when it came to politics. I remember at our annual Batzka reunions at my uncle and aunt's house. We always had our picnic in the screen house. Those were the best summer days on the farm! We always had such a good time! We played baseball, volleyball, badminton, frisbee, you name it, we did it. They always had tons of barn cats and kittens. When politics came up in conversation, my cousin and I were the first to leave. We were only young teens at the time. We had NO INTEREST in hearing about topics such as that...
Fritz was one of those men that when he was quiet, you always wondered what he was thinking...He was a nice guy, though...
~~~~
If this doesn't tell you about my great-uncle Fritz's personality, I don't know what will...
Fritz Batzka Married Last Saturday
To say friends of Fritz Batzka were dumbfounded on hearing of his marriage last Saturday afternoon would be putting it mildly. One of the few remaining bachelors in our community, Fritz double-crossed his buddies by joining the ranks of the benedicts. Now, they're trying to console themselves by assuring Fritz with the sour grape warning, "You'll be sorry!" However, Fritz knows better and so do we.
Here is what really happened~~
On Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 4:00 o'clock in Winamac, Ind., Fred E. Batzka was united in marriage to Dorothy Lucille Myers of Francesville, Ind.
Rev. Manker of the First Methodist Church of Winamac performed the single ring ceremony.
The attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Parks of Francesville, sister and brother-in-law of the bride.
The bride wore a deep blue dress with black accessories and a red rosebud corsage. Mrs. Parks wore powder blue with a pink corsage. The groom and best men were attired in dark suits and wore white carnation boutonnieres.
Mrs. Batzka is the daughter of Mr. Rube Myers of Francesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Batzka will live on the Robert Batzka homestead, which Fred will continue to farm.
~~~
Another article published in the paper ~ Mr. and Mrs. Fred Batzka, our town's late newlyweds, were pleasantly surprised last Monday evening by a gang of Fritz's cronies who came to bell them and to wish them happiness. The wishing extended far into the next morning, the gang enjoying several hours at cards with plenty of refreshments and hospitality thrown in for good measure.
~~
This is the obituary that Fritz' sister, Ruth had written for him. They were very close.
Fred Batzka
Born 1906 at San Pierre, Indiana where he spent most his life farming. After his wife's death on September 19, 1977, he sold his farm and moved to San Pierre. He later moved to North Judson to the Mint Manor Apartments and about three years later, he moved to Countryside Place nursing home, where he passed away November 21, 1986, age 81. He was buried in December.
~~~
Fred E. Batzka
NORTH JUDSON -- Services for Fred E. Batzka, 80, of 207 Marilyn St., who died about 5 p.m. Friday in Countryside Place Nursing Home, Knox, after an extended illness, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in O'Donnell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Mr. Batzka was born January 8, 1906, in San Pierre, Ind. On April 2, 1949, in Winamac, he married Dorothy L. Myers, who died on January 12, 1977. Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Douglas of La Crosse and Lillian Hamay of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Arthur of Monticello.
--The South Bend Tribune
(South Bend, IN), Sun., Nov. 23, 1986, Pg. 65
Great-uncle "Fritz" had an opinion about everything. He was very outspoken, especially when it came to politics. I remember at our annual Batzka reunions at my uncle and aunt's house. We always had our picnic in the screen house. Those were the best summer days on the farm! We always had such a good time! We played baseball, volleyball, badminton, frisbee, you name it, we did it. They always had tons of barn cats and kittens. When politics came up in conversation, my cousin and I were the first to leave. We were only young teens at the time. We had NO INTEREST in hearing about topics such as that...
Fritz was one of those men that when he was quiet, you always wondered what he was thinking...He was a nice guy, though...
~~~~
If this doesn't tell you about my great-uncle Fritz's personality, I don't know what will...
Fritz Batzka Married Last Saturday
To say friends of Fritz Batzka were dumbfounded on hearing of his marriage last Saturday afternoon would be putting it mildly. One of the few remaining bachelors in our community, Fritz double-crossed his buddies by joining the ranks of the benedicts. Now, they're trying to console themselves by assuring Fritz with the sour grape warning, "You'll be sorry!" However, Fritz knows better and so do we.
Here is what really happened~~
On Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 4:00 o'clock in Winamac, Ind., Fred E. Batzka was united in marriage to Dorothy Lucille Myers of Francesville, Ind.
Rev. Manker of the First Methodist Church of Winamac performed the single ring ceremony.
The attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Parks of Francesville, sister and brother-in-law of the bride.
The bride wore a deep blue dress with black accessories and a red rosebud corsage. Mrs. Parks wore powder blue with a pink corsage. The groom and best men were attired in dark suits and wore white carnation boutonnieres.
Mrs. Batzka is the daughter of Mr. Rube Myers of Francesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Batzka will live on the Robert Batzka homestead, which Fred will continue to farm.
~~~
Another article published in the paper ~ Mr. and Mrs. Fred Batzka, our town's late newlyweds, were pleasantly surprised last Monday evening by a gang of Fritz's cronies who came to bell them and to wish them happiness. The wishing extended far into the next morning, the gang enjoying several hours at cards with plenty of refreshments and hospitality thrown in for good measure.
~~
This is the obituary that Fritz' sister, Ruth had written for him. They were very close.
Fred Batzka
Born 1906 at San Pierre, Indiana where he spent most his life farming. After his wife's death on September 19, 1977, he sold his farm and moved to San Pierre. He later moved to North Judson to the Mint Manor Apartments and about three years later, he moved to Countryside Place nursing home, where he passed away November 21, 1986, age 81. He was buried in December.
~~~
Fred E. Batzka
NORTH JUDSON -- Services for Fred E. Batzka, 80, of 207 Marilyn St., who died about 5 p.m. Friday in Countryside Place Nursing Home, Knox, after an extended illness, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in O'Donnell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Mr. Batzka was born January 8, 1906, in San Pierre, Ind. On April 2, 1949, in Winamac, he married Dorothy L. Myers, who died on January 12, 1977. Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Douglas of La Crosse and Lillian Hamay of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Arthur of Monticello.
--The South Bend Tribune
(South Bend, IN), Sun., Nov. 23, 1986, Pg. 65
My maternal great-uncle
Great-uncle "Fritz" had an opinion about everything. He was very outspoken, especially when it came to politics. I remember at our annual Batzka reunions at my uncle and aunt's house. We always had our picnic in the screen house. Those were the best summer days on the farm! We always had such a good time! We played baseball, volleyball, badminton, frisbee, you name it, we did it. They always had tons of barn cats and kittens. When politics came up in conversation, my cousin and I were the first to leave. We were only young teens at the time. We had NO INTEREST in hearing about topics such as that...
Fritz was one of those men that when he was quiet, you always wondered what he was thinking...He was a nice guy, though...
~~~~
If this doesn't tell you about my great-uncle Fritz's personality, I don't know what will...
Fritz Batzka Married Last Saturday
To say friends of Fritz Batzka were dumbfounded on hearing of his marriage last Saturday afternoon would be putting it mildly. One of the few remaining bachelors in our community, Fritz double-crossed his buddies by joining the ranks of the benedicts. Now, they're trying to console themselves by assuring Fritz with the sour grape warning, "You'll be sorry!" However, Fritz knows better and so do we.
Here is what really happened~~
On Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 4:00 o'clock in Winamac, Ind., Fred E. Batzka was united in marriage to Dorothy Lucille Myers of Francesville, Ind.
Rev. Manker of the First Methodist Church of Winamac performed the single ring ceremony.
The attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Parks of Francesville, sister and brother-in-law of the bride.
The bride wore a deep blue dress with black accessories and a red rosebud corsage. Mrs. Parks wore powder blue with a pink corsage. The groom and best men were attired in dark suits and wore white carnation boutonnieres.
Mrs. Batzka is the daughter of Mr. Rube Myers of Francesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Batzka will live on the Robert Batzka homestead, which Fred will continue to farm.
~~~
Another article published in the paper ~ Mr. and Mrs. Fred Batzka, our town's late newlyweds, were pleasantly surprised last Monday evening by a gang of Fritz's cronies who came to bell them and to wish them happiness. The wishing extended far into the next morning, the gang enjoying several hours at cards with plenty of refreshments and hospitality thrown in for good measure.
~~
This is the obituary that Fritz' sister, Ruth had written for him. They were very close.
Fred Batzka
Born 1906 at San Pierre, Indiana where he spent most his life farming. After his wife's death on September 19, 1977, he sold his farm and moved to San Pierre. He later moved to North Judson to the Mint Manor Apartments and about three years later, he moved to Countryside Place nursing home, where he passed away November 21, 1986, age 81. He was buried in December.
~~~
Fred E. Batzka
NORTH JUDSON -- Services for Fred E. Batzka, 80, of 207 Marilyn St., who died about 5 p.m. Friday in Countryside Place Nursing Home, Knox, after an extended illness, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in O'Donnell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Mr. Batzka was born January 8, 1906, in San Pierre, Ind. On April 2, 1949, in Winamac, he married Dorothy L. Myers, who died on January 12, 1977. Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Douglas of La Crosse and Lillian Hamay of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Arthur of Monticello.
--The South Bend Tribune
(South Bend, IN), Sun., Nov. 23, 1986, Pg. 65
Great-uncle "Fritz" had an opinion about everything. He was very outspoken, especially when it came to politics. I remember at our annual Batzka reunions at my uncle and aunt's house. We always had our picnic in the screen house. Those were the best summer days on the farm! We always had such a good time! We played baseball, volleyball, badminton, frisbee, you name it, we did it. They always had tons of barn cats and kittens. When politics came up in conversation, my cousin and I were the first to leave. We were only young teens at the time. We had NO INTEREST in hearing about topics such as that...
Fritz was one of those men that when he was quiet, you always wondered what he was thinking...He was a nice guy, though...
~~~~
If this doesn't tell you about my great-uncle Fritz's personality, I don't know what will...
Fritz Batzka Married Last Saturday
To say friends of Fritz Batzka were dumbfounded on hearing of his marriage last Saturday afternoon would be putting it mildly. One of the few remaining bachelors in our community, Fritz double-crossed his buddies by joining the ranks of the benedicts. Now, they're trying to console themselves by assuring Fritz with the sour grape warning, "You'll be sorry!" However, Fritz knows better and so do we.
Here is what really happened~~
On Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 4:00 o'clock in Winamac, Ind., Fred E. Batzka was united in marriage to Dorothy Lucille Myers of Francesville, Ind.
Rev. Manker of the First Methodist Church of Winamac performed the single ring ceremony.
The attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Donald Parks of Francesville, sister and brother-in-law of the bride.
The bride wore a deep blue dress with black accessories and a red rosebud corsage. Mrs. Parks wore powder blue with a pink corsage. The groom and best men were attired in dark suits and wore white carnation boutonnieres.
Mrs. Batzka is the daughter of Mr. Rube Myers of Francesville.
Mr. and Mrs. Batzka will live on the Robert Batzka homestead, which Fred will continue to farm.
~~~
Another article published in the paper ~ Mr. and Mrs. Fred Batzka, our town's late newlyweds, were pleasantly surprised last Monday evening by a gang of Fritz's cronies who came to bell them and to wish them happiness. The wishing extended far into the next morning, the gang enjoying several hours at cards with plenty of refreshments and hospitality thrown in for good measure.
~~
This is the obituary that Fritz' sister, Ruth had written for him. They were very close.
Fred Batzka
Born 1906 at San Pierre, Indiana where he spent most his life farming. After his wife's death on September 19, 1977, he sold his farm and moved to San Pierre. He later moved to North Judson to the Mint Manor Apartments and about three years later, he moved to Countryside Place nursing home, where he passed away November 21, 1986, age 81. He was buried in December.
~~~
Fred E. Batzka
NORTH JUDSON -- Services for Fred E. Batzka, 80, of 207 Marilyn St., who died about 5 p.m. Friday in Countryside Place Nursing Home, Knox, after an extended illness, will be at 11 a.m. Monday in O'Donnell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Mr. Batzka was born January 8, 1906, in San Pierre, Ind. On April 2, 1949, in Winamac, he married Dorothy L. Myers, who died on January 12, 1977. Surviving are two sisters, Ruth Douglas of La Crosse and Lillian Hamay of Mesa, Ariz.; and a brother, Arthur of Monticello.
--The South Bend Tribune
(South Bend, IN), Sun., Nov. 23, 1986, Pg. 65
Inscription
FRED E.
1906 - 1986
Gravesite Details
Thanks to my cousin Kim for sharing the top photo of Uncle Fritz with me...
