Surnames: Karnitz, Toburen, Miller, Smetana, Mueller, Swiggum, Seifert, Steindorf, Richmond, Carruethers, Franz

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) January 2, 2008

Karnitz, Selma Augusta (February 3, 1910 - December 24, 2007)

Selma Karnitz, age 97, of Neillsville, Wisconsin, died Monday December 24, 2007 at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.

Selma Augusta Miller was born on February 3, 1910 in Greenwood, the daughter of William and Anna (Toburen) Miller. She attended the Brawn Settlement School in Greenwood, and was united in marriage to Thone Karnitz on June 20, 1928. They farmed and later Selma worked as a nurse’s aid, retiring in 1980.

Selma was a member of the Pine Valley Zion Lutheran Church and the WELC. She taught confirmation class into her 80’s and her hobbies included playing cards, crocheting, crosswords and reading.

She is survived by a daughter, Lois Smetana, of Black River Falls; a daughter-in-law, Virginia Karnitz, of Neillsville; seven grandchildren, Lynette (Mel) Mueller, of Neillsville; Kerry (Joy) Karnitz, of Wausau, WI; Lori (Jeff Swiggum) Smetana, of Madison, WI; Lisa (Tom Seifert), of Pelican Lake, WI; Mark (Karen) Smetana, of North Field, MN; Brian Smetana, of Eagle, WI; and Beth (John Steindorf), of Alma Center, WI; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Selma is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thone; a son, Kenneth; a son-in-law, Bernie Smetana; her parents; a brother, Oscar Miller; and three sisters, Laura Richmond, Alma Carruethers and Ella Franz.

Funeral services for Selma were held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007 at the Pine Valley Zion Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Keith Lueneburg officiated, Pastor Robert Garbisch co-officiated. Music was provided by grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Interment was in the North Pine Valley Cemetery.

Casket Bearers were: Floyd Franz, Ronald Franz, Jon Karnitz, Ron Karnitz, Tom Karnitz and Jerold Richmond.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice.

The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville assisted Selma’s family with arrangements.