Elena Ernst Betzner

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91310646
• Interesting: story
• Name: Elena Ernst Ritz
• Eby ID Number: 00006-0958.999
• Occupation: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Telephone operator - telephone office
• Residence: 1911, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lutheran

Notes:

Obituary - Funeral Service Bulletin
Elena E. Ritz

Elena Ritz, one of Waterloo Region's oldest residents and a descendant of the Betzner family, pioneers who settled in Waterloo County in the spring of 1800 passed away June 19, 2000 at her residence, Nithview Home, 200 Boullee St., New Hamburg where here she had resided for the past four years She was 106 years of age.

She was born at Baden August 8, 1893 a daughter of the late Isaac Betzner and his wife, the former Catharine Ernst and came to New Hamburg with her parents at an early age. She was married October 21, 1920 to the late Otto A. Ritz who predeceased her in January, 1928. She was also predeceased by three sisters, Mrs. Loualice (Nicholas) Wenzel, Mrs. Lorena (Norman) Kropf and Miss Sophia Betzner, and two brothers, Ervin and William and a great-granddaughter Jean.

Elena was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, where she had been organist for 57 years until her retirement in 1968. She was an accomplished pianist and a member of the New Hamburg Orchestra which provided music for programs and dances in the early decades of the century. She also played piano in the local theatres to provide musical accompaniment in the days of silent movies.

She will be remembered also as the pianist for the New Hamburg Club Swingers, a group which played many engagements over a wide area. They demonstrated school-learned calisthenics accompanied by the piano music, "En Route" march. One of her enjoyments over six decades was to play piano duets with her husband's cousin, the late Miss Louise (Babe) Ritz.

Loving mother of Dick & his wife Chris, Ernie & his wife Betty of New Hamburg, dear grandmother of Pam Ritz (Joey), Judy (Ted) Seyler, Bonnie (Stephen) May, Rick (Janice) Ritz, Bill (Kathryn) Ritz, John Ritz & his friend Betty. Ever missed by her great-grandchildren, Jessica (Mike), Maggie (Matt), Nathan, Daniel, Emily, Matt, Stephanie, Stacey (Scott), Marcia, Joe, Jake, and two it great-great grandsons Michael & James. Specially remembered by Shirley Unrau, Dianne Ritz, Pat (Emmett) Kropf, Kitchener, Gladys (Lorne) Kropf, Waterloo and nieces & nephews
Friends & relatives called at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron St., New Hamburg until noon Thursday, June 22, 2000 when transfer was made to Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg for the service at 2: 00 p.m. with Pastor André Lavergne & Pastor Judi Harris presiding. Burial followed in Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg.

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The Mill Fire

Early on the warm August 8 evening in 1902, while local residents were enjoying a variety program staged by a Chautauqua group at the local school yard, cries of "fire" and the sounding of the town bell could be heard to signal for help to fight a blaze.

Little Elena Betzner, whose father, Isaac, had been head miller at the local flour mill, had been taken to the evening program to mark her ninth birthday day.

Soon a column of thick smoke arose over the downtown area. This was a spectacular fire, for it was at the local flour and grist mill in the heart of the village. The large three-storey frame building was soon engulfed in flames and in a short time was razed to the ground. This was the mill built by William Scott in 1848, a half century before. It had a colourful history, having passed through the hands of a succession of owners and operators, and had been extensively damaged in the 1889 boiler explosion.

The economic loss was to affect not only the owners and employees but also the community as well, for it drew farmers and their families for miles around who shopped and transacted business in town as well as at the mill.

Mrs. Edward Pfaff, bride of New Hamburg's newest barber, who had recently moved to town, stood at the window of the couple's temporary home in the Queen's Hotel, (now 73-77 Peel Street) just a hundred meters from the mill. She watched with a mixture of apprehension and awe at the scene as flames and smoke billowed into the air, carrying sparks and embers over the buildings nearby.

Embers and burning shingles settled on nearby roofs, some of which began to smoulder. Residents
and building occupants busily carried pails of water to douse flames. New Hamburg's steam-powered fire engine Chugged valiantly, but to little avail. The frame building was doomed, and it burned to the foundation. The loss of the mill would have a definite impact on its patrons and the economy of the village as well.

From: New Hamburg as it really was…. By Ernst E. Ritz

Elena married Otto Albert Ritz 21 Oct 1920. Otto (son of Daniel E. Ritz and Christina Stuhlfaut) was born 4 Dec 1893, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Jan 1928, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91310552
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-84087
• Honoured: 2005; citizen of the year Wilmot Township - sports

Notes:

RITZ, Richard Carleton (Dick) - Passed away peacefully, in the presence of his family, on Saturday June 2, 2007 at Freeport Health Centre, of Grand River Hospital, Kitchener. He resided in New Hamburg. Dick was born 84 years ago in Wilmot Township and was the son of the late Otto and Elena (Betzner) Ritz. Beloved husband of the late Christine (Murray) Ritz who predeceased him May 20, 2005. Loving father of Pam Ritz of Kitchener, Judy and Ted Seyler and Bonnie May all of New Hamburg, Richard (Rick) and Janice Ritz of Kitchener. Special grandfather of Jessica and Michael Schiedel, Meaghan (Maggie) Seyler and Sean Middleton, Nathan Seyler, Dan Ritz, Emily Ritz, Matthew May and Stephanie May and great-grandfather of Mike and James Schiedel. Dear brother of Ernst and Betty Ritz of New Hamburg. Also missed by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jim and Gywin Murray and Betty Murray all of New Hamburg. Fondly remembered by Shirley Unrau, Mark Meyer, Alicia McKeag, Dana O'Born, and Reyn O'Born and Steve May. Predeceased by brother-in-law, Robert Murray and sister-in-law Jean and husband Eugene Hofstetter. Dick was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg where he served as Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher for many years. Dick was also actively involved in service to his community with the Seniors' Games, the Wilmot Resource Center, the 39 Plus Club, the Board of Trade and Restless Seniors. Dick's lifelong passion was hockey and baseball as both a player and coach. He started his career at a very early age playing organized baseball for 70 years and he received the Wilmot Township Citizen of the Year award for sports in 2005. Dick chose to play his last game on his 83rd birthday. Family and friends may call at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron St., New Hamburg on Tuesday from 7-9, Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg with Pastors Andre Lavergne and Anne Anderson officiating. Cremation to follow with a family interment in Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg at a later date. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or MURF (Wilmot Township Multi Use Recreation Facility).

The Record Newspaper - Jun. 4, 2007

Richard married Christine H. "Chris" Murray 30 Jun 1946. Christine (daughter of William Ewart Gladstone Murray and Dora Anna Marie Quehl) was born 13 Jun 1924; died 29 May 2005, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Riverside Cemetery, New Hamburg, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/267129243
• Interesting: honoured, news, politics
• Name: Ernie Ritz
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-156979
• Military: 1943; WW2 - Aircrew Navigator and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force
• Elected Office: 1971, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Reeve/Mayor
• Elected Office: 1973, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mayor
• Public Service: 2010, Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation member

Notes:

Ernie Ritz was born in New Hamburg in 1925. He trained as an Aircrew Navigator and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

Ernie spent his professional career in the printing and publishing industry. He was employed at the Kitchener-Waterloo Record from 1947 to 1950 and was co-owner and editor of the New Hamburg Independent from 1950 to 1966. In 1966, Ernie became President of Ritz Printing Incorporated and remained there until he retired in 1990.

Ernie served his community for 50 years in appointed and elected municipal positions. He served on the New Hamburg Planning Board from 1948 to 1972. He was first elected to the New Hamburg Village Council at the age of 24 in 1950 and was the last Mayor of the Town in 1971 to 1972. Ernie then was Mayor of Wilmot Township from 1973 to 1978. As Mayor of Wilmot Township, Ernie was a member of the first Waterloo Regional Council, serving as Chair of the Regional Planning Committee and the Regional Engineering Committee. Ernie also served as member of 3 different Hydro Commissions: New Hamburg, Baden and Kitchener-Wilmot. He was a provincial appointee to the Waterloo Regional Police Commission from 1979 to 1985 and was Chair in 1986. Ernie also served on the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Ernie has been very active in the preservation of local history. He served on the Board of Directors of the Waterloo Historical Society for 10 years, and was President of the society in 1990 to 1991. He also served on Wilmot Township Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee from 1985 to 1997 and was Vice-Chairman of the Wilmot Township Archives Committee. In 2003, he authored the comprehensive history of New Hamburg.

In 1997, Ernie was inducted into the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame, which includes local pioneers, community builders and sports heroes. In 2005, he was awarded the Ontario Heritage Foundation's Certificate of Lifetime Achievement.

Waterloo Region Archives

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Ernst Frederick (Ernie) Ritz
1925 \emdash 2024

Passed away at Nithview Home, New Hamburg on March 13, 2024, just a few weeks shy of his 99th birthday. He was well-known for his remarkable memory of decades of New Hamburg and area history, his dedication to local public service, his love of learning, and his warm and gregarious personality.

He was born at New Hamburg April 5, 1925, son of the late Otto Ritz and Elena Betzner. He was married for over 65 years to his beloved wife and best friend, the former Betty Murray, who predeceased him in 2012.

He served in the RCAF from 1943-45, training first as a pilot and then as navigator, with the war ending just as he completed his training. The Ritz family had been in the printing business since 1855, and after the war, he learned the printing trade in Toronto and Kitchener before returning to New Hamburg to join the family business in 1947, and became editor and publisher of the New Hamburg Independent. Following the sale of the newspaper in 1967, he continued with Ritz Printing with his sons until his retirement in 1990.

He was devoted to his community, and was active in local public service for many decades. He was first elected to local municipal council in 1949 at the age of 24, beginning a long connection and serving on public boards and commissions, including several hydro commissions, the Grand River Conservation Authority, and in the promotion and building of the New Hamburg Arena and Community Centre. He was a member of the New Hamburg Board of Trade for over 70 years. He was the last Mayor of New Hamburg and the first Mayor of Wilmot Township when Regional Government was begun in 1973, chairing several major committees during the formation of the new form of government. In 1979 he was appointed by the Province to serve on the Waterloo Regional Police Service Board for four terms and was Chair of that body in 1986. He was a founding and charter member of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, provided leadership in the planning and construction of the present Legion Branch Building, and was honoured with a Life Membership in 2008; he was the last surviving member of the original founding group of 34 local Legion members.

He has long been recognized as an expert in local history, and he played leadership roles in the Waterloo Historical Society and in the establishment of a local Heritage Conservation District. As a member of the Ontario Genealogy Society, he was frequently sought as a resource person by many who sought local facts pertaining to their family histories. Ironically, his interest in history began after failing a high school history test, when his principal told him that if he found history boring that he should "try writing it as he would like to read it, make it come alive" \endash this ultimately culminated in his publication of a volume of local history, "New Hamburg As It Really Was", in 2003. He has been recognized for his contributions by a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Heritage Society, a Waterloo Regional Heritage Award, was inducted into the Waterloo County Hall of Fame in 1997, and honoured with a Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Ernie was an avid reader and had thirst for knowledge throughout his life. He was articulate, and well-informed across a wide range of topics, and people were often surprised to learn that he had left formal schooling at the age of 16. He particularly was passionate about astronomy and was most knowledgeable about matters pertaining to the skies and universe, and loved meteorology. He was an avid computer and internet user in his later years, and continued to write a weekly local newspaper column until he was 97 \endash indeed, he may have been Canada's oldest weekly columnist.

He is lovingly remembered by his children Bill and John, along with their wives Kathryn and Betty. He was the proud grandfather of Stacey (Scott), Marcia (Chris, predeceased), Joe (Jen), and Jake (Kate), Betty's sons Brock (Sharon) and Travis (Laura), and great-grandfather to Liam, Braylon, and Emily. He is fondly remembered by sisters-in-law Betty Murray and Gywin Murray, cousin Shirley Unrau, many beloved nieces and nephews in the Ritz-Murray clans, along with Gladys Kropf, Dianne Ritz, Marie Voisin, many cherished friends and collaborators, and the caring staff at Nithview.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place at the Jutzi Funeral Home on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 4pm. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg on what would have been his 99th birthday, Friday, April 5 at 1pm followed by a reception at the New Hamburg Legion. In his memory, donations may be made to the Trinity Endowment Fund, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, or Wilmot Family Resource Centre.

Personal condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca

Ernst — Betty Murray. Betty (daughter of William Ewart Gladstone Murray and Dora Anna Marie Quehl) was born 19 Dec 1925; died 2 Jun 2012, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]