----Source: Tribune Record Gleaner, 30 January 2002

Selma Sternitzky, 86, Neillsville, died on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002, at Neillsville Memorial Home. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Zion Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Granton. The Rev. John Trewyn officiated. Music was provided by congregational singing. Caroline Helm was the organist. Burial was in the Zion Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tim Schmitz, Terry Schmitz, David Schmitz, Kevin Schmitz, Jeffrey Fedie, Brian Fedie and Jacob Sternitzky.

Selma Handke was born on Jan. 24, 1915, in Granton, to Paul and Laura [nee Miles] Handke. She attended Romadka School. She married Clarence Sternitzky on Oct. 7, 1933, at the Zion American Lutheran Church Parsonage. They farmed in the town of Lynn until 1945, then moved to the town of York and farmed until 1981. They then retired and moved to Granton until 1993. She and her husband made maple syrup, with maple sugar candy her specialty. She also enjoyed making doughnuts and coffeecakes. She was a member of the Freemont Homemakers Club and the Zion Lutheran Church, Granton.

Survivors include four children, Lila [Jerry] Schmitz, Granton, Stanley [Karaleen] Sternitzky, Cameron, Velda [Dennis] Galloway, Etowak, N. C., and Marvin [Roberta] Sternitzky, Blair; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, Tim [Jane], Molly, Alexandria and Matthew Schmitz, Terry [Sandy], Tara, Kortney, Logan and Nicholas Schmitz, Granton, David [Karen], Kelsey, Carter and McKenzie Schmitz, Germantown, Kevin [Shelly Proffit], Neillsville, Candace [Kevin], Amanda, Nicholas, Thomas and Curtis Huisman, Atwater, Minn., Cheryl [Douglas], Brandon, and Bryon Foth, Onieda, Janalee [Harold], Jill, Jamie and Justin Kracht, Stillwater, Minn., Sarah [Richard], Megan and Matthew Blanchard, Marshfield, Jeffrey [Judy] and Natalie Fedie, Dallas Texas, Brian Fedie, Midwest City, Okla., Carman [Mark] Menza, Carrollton, Texas, Susan [Jerry] Byerly, Taylor, S. C., and Jacob Sternitzky, Granton; three step-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Thearon [Linnie] Sternitzky, Maple Grove, Wash.; and two sisters-in-law, Clara [Leslie] Lewis, Loyal, and Francis Sternitzky, Marshfield.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Clarence, on Jan. 1, 1993; her parents; one sister, Mildred Grade; one brother, Lester Handke.

The Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.