NAME: Pitka, Julia

OBIT: Tama County, Iowa newspaper, Feb 1920

JULIA PITKA CALLED TO HER LAST REST
 The funeral of Miss Julia Pitka was held this afternoon at one o'clock at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Pitka, six miles southeast of Toledo. A large number of friends and relatives gathered to pay the last tribute to their beloved friend and comrade who was called upon to lay down her burdens at the age of nineteen years, six months and twenty-four days.
 The end came after several months' of severe pain and illness caused by ulcers of the stomach for which she had been receiving treatment at the Deaconess hospital for the past five weeks.
 Jos. Konicek, speaker, officiated and gave a touching and sympathetic testimony of the young life taken in its prime by the great Father. Music was furnished by Mrs. H. McKinney and Mrs. P. F. Campbell, who sang, "Saved by Grace" and "Nearer Home"
 The funeral cortege was proceeded by Frank Melsa carrying a large wreath of roses. The pall bearers were Fred and Frank Nekola, J. Cherveny, George, Joe and Fred Melsa; they in turn were escorted by six flower girls who were chums of Miss Julia and were the Misses Libby Uchytil, Bertha and Carrie Duchacek, Stella Cherveny and the two Misses Sidel, all wearing white carnations and green flowers.
 Interment was made at Hayes cemetery where Speaker Konicek read the funeral service and two selections - "Nearer My God to Thee" and "What a friend we have in Jesus," was rendered by the singers.
 Beside the parents the deceased leaves to mourn their loss three brothers, Charles, William and Fred Pitka and two sisters. Mrs. Frank and Mrs. Charles Dozark, all living near Toledo.

OBIT: Tama County, Iowa newspaper, Feb 1920

OBITUARY NOTICE OF MISS JULIA PITKA -- Died at Marshalltown February 17 -- Funeral Services Held Thursday from Parents' Home
 The sketch of Miss Julia Pitka, printed below, was prepared by a friend of the deceased and given to the Chronicle for publication.
 Again we are reminded of the passing time and the sureness of death in that our Heavenly Father has seen fit to take from among us one so young and dearly loved by those who knew her.
 Julia Pitka, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pitka, was born in Otter Creek township, July 23, 1900, and passed away at the Deaconess hospital in Marshalltown at noon on February 17, 1920, being 19 years, 6 months and 24 days old.
 She was taken sick January 1 and was cared for in the home of her parents for about two weeks and as she did not improve it was thot best to take her to the hospital that she might have the best of medical treatment and care. Here she was tenderly cared for and everything possible was don e that she might regain her health. But she realized her condition and knew that she could not get better. During her illness she was patient and kind, always meeting her friends and nurses with a smile of appreciation. She was resigned to the will of Him who doeth all things well and when the last summons came was ready to answer to her Master's "Well done."
 She lived at home with her parents, and being the youngest of the family was a favorite and a great comfort to her parents in their declining years. She was bright, cheerful, and happy, ever mindful of the comfort of others and her cheery smile and kind words will be greatly missed by all who knew her, for to know her was to love her. She received her education in the rural schools and was a favorite with her teachers and a close companion of her school mates.
 She leaves to mourn, her aged parents, two sisters, Mrs. Frank Dvorak of Elberon and Mrs. Charles Dvorak of Toledo, and three brothers, Charles of Toledo and William and Fred at home, beside a host of relatives and friends who have the sympathy of the community.
 The funeral services were held at the home of her parents east of Toledo Thursday, February 19, at 1 o'clock. Services were conducted by Joseph Konicek of Vining, and the singing by Mrs. Hosea McKinney and Mrs. P. F. Campbell of Toledo was very appropriate. They sang "Face to Face," "Saved by Grace," "The Nearer the Sweeter," and "My Faith Looks up to Thee." The sympathy of a host of relatives and friends was shown by the many beautiful floral offerings. The flower bearers were six girl friends, Caroline Duchacek, Bertha Duchacek, Mary Seidel, Emma Seidel, Stella Cherveny and Libby Uchytil. The pall bearers were George and Joe Melsa, Frank Seidel, Frank and Fred Nekola and James Cherveny. At the cemetery the casket was preceded to the grave by Frank Melsa who carried a beautiful wreath. At the grave the singers sang "Nearer my God to Thee," as the casket was being lowered. Interment was in the Maplewood Cemetery.
 The bereaved family have the sympathy of friends.