Obit: Smitke, Eliza (1843 - 1929)
Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: SWAYTKIE SMITKE PERKINS STAHL SMITKIE

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 01/24/1929

Smitke, Eliza (9 OCT 1843 - 18 Jan 1929)

One of our oldest and highly respected pioneers passed away Friday, Jan. 18, 1929, after a week's illness of the flu.

Eliza Swaytkie was born in Germany Oct. 9, 1843, where she grew to womanhood, and at the age of thirty was united in marriage to Mathew Smitke, also of Germany. About three years later they came to this country, making their home at Abbotsford, Wis. for one year, then came here (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) when the country was new and endured the hardships of a pioneer farmer, locating on a farm one mile north of the village. On Feb. 13, 1892 Mr. Smitkie passed away, leaving Mrs. Smitke alone to care for her children, which she faithfully did and remained on the farm until about three years ago, when she suffered a slight stroke and went to lived with her daughter, Mrs. Harry Perkins at Duluth. She had enjoyed fairly good health until a week before her death, when she was taken ill with the flu. Her body was brought to her old home here Sunday night, where it remained until Tuesday morning when funeral services were held from St. Bernard's Church, interment following in the Catholic Cemetery. She leaves to mourn her loss three daughters, Mrs. Harry Perkins, Mrs. E. J. Stahl and Miss Kathryn Smitke, all of Duluth, and two sons, Mathew of Duluth and Frank of this place, also one step-son, John, of Rice Lake, besides a large host of friends.