Gertrude Fitz
Gertrude Fitz (nee Pauritsch), age 99, of Munson Township, peacefully passed away on Feb. 6, 2024, at the Residence of Chardon.
She was born to Franz and Johanna (nee Kellner) Pauritsch on March 16, 1924, in Austria.
Gertrude with her husband and two sons moved to America in 1951 with less than $15 to their name. Initially settling in Texas, her background of helping her parents run a restaurant in Austria provided a foundation for her to share her expertise with local women, teaching them how to make homemade household staples such as butter, bread and soup.
She and Eduard decided to continue their adventure, which now included two additional children, and moved to Ohio. It was not until her youngest attended first grade that she became one of the 700 fussy tailors at the esteemed Richmond Bros. in Cleveland, where she dedicated her life for 22 years.
Never one to rest, her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, sewing, needlepoint, painting, and gardening. Oh, and, of course, dancing, polka, tango and waltz which were her and her husband’s favorites.
They had so many longtime friends that would meet at a local winery 3-4 times a week, sharing a bottle of wine and their homemade snacks. Sometimes they brought their own “band” (which consisted of those who played accordion) to the wineries for everyone to enjoy.
Mom’s story of why she enjoyed wine was that she was tasked by her father to accompany him to walk to local farmers to taste their wine before he purchased it for the restaurant. Of course, walking home, according to Mom, was them walking hand-in-hand and stumbling and laughing till their stomachs hurt.
Gertrude is survived by her children, Werner Fitz, Gerhart (Camella) Fitz, Edward Jr. (Toni) Fitz and Ingrid (John) Squire; grandchildren, Daniel, Joseph, Mellissa (Peter), Dorothy, Keith (Rebecca), Danielle, Kathleen (Tim), Tim, Michael and Jean; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Herta Nowak; and extended loving family Gloria Fitz and Kathy Fitz.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eduard Fitz; grandson Gregory; daughter-in-law, Phyllis Fitz; and brother-in-law, Alfred Nowak.
To honor the life of Gertrude, a private family service was held.
The family suggests donations be made in her memory to the Residence of Chardon, Attn. Melissa Schroeder, 501 Chardon-Windsor Road, Chardon, OH 44024. They took such good gentle care of Mom. Or to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110, who assisted in helping Mom go on to her next journey peacefully.
I could go on and on about what a loving woman, mother, wife and friend she was. Next time you have a glass of wine, or even a shot of Jägermeister, remember life is what you make of it. Jaeger is what she told her doctors keeps her young and, at 99 years old, who can dispute that.
Mom you will be missed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.
