Elizabeth Schritter Isernhagen
Aug. 5, 1917 - Aug. 15, 2008
St. Francis Herald, August 21, 2008

Elizabeth Schritter Isernhagen was born in Aberdeen, Idaho, in 1917, to Ernest Schritter (emigrant from Kloestiz Bessarable, Russia) and Pauline Reichenberger. The family moved to Cheyenne County, Kan., in 1924, after her mother’s death in 1923. Elizabeth had six sisters and three brothers: Christina Carr, deceased 2001, Martha Schultz, deceased 2008, Emma Wilt, deceased 2000, Pauline Wall, deceased 1992, Helen Schauer, Bakersfield, Calif.; Regina Krien, Fort Mogan, Colo., Rudolf Schritter, deceased 1997, John Schritter, deceased 1987, and Robert Schritter, Fort Lupton, Colo.,

Her father and nine siblings moved into a sod house a short distance north of Salem Lutheran Church. They later moved 3 miles west of St. Francis just north of the Republican River and then to the “Fredrickson Place” 6 miles west and 3 miles north of U.S. 36. She recalled seeing the flood of 1935 from the second story of the home with animals and buildings being carried down the Republican River. She attended rural one-room schools in Cheyenne County, the Riverside School with teacher Ester Taylor being on of them. Her father died in 1930 at the age of 50 when she was 13 leaving the children without parents or relatives in the area. Her oldest brother, Rudolph, then 23-years old, took the responsibility of managing the family. When she was 16, she moved into town and worked for the Churchill’s. She then lived with and worked for Bud and Esther Boardman until she married at age 18. She often reported that Esther “taught me everything.”

She married August F. Isernhagen in June of 1937. The marriage was blessed by two children, Raymond (KayDee) Isernhagen of Carson City, Nev., and Barbara (Rodger) Bainter of Macomb, Ill. August joined in partnership with Wayne Ayeres to open the A-I Store selling hardware and home/farm supplies with Wayne also providing embalming and funeral services. Elizabeth did all the accounting and paper work for the business. When August and Wayne were drafted into World War II, the business was sold to Herb Lampe. Upon his return, August opened a new business, again naming it the A-1 Store. Elizabeth was the accountant and managed the store on a day-to-day basis. The business was liquidated in 1955 and the family moved to Boulder, Colo. Elizabeth worked for the bookstore at the University of Colorado. She was then employed in the Regent Building for the university performing financial services for the university administration. Her office was responsible for over $2,000,000 of funding. She retired after 8 years of service at the university. Her husband, August died in 1996.

Her grandchildren are Kim Pasquarello, Las Vegas, Nev., Robin Gonzalez, Reno, Nev.; Lisa Isernhagen, Las Vegas, August Isernhagen, Carson City, Nev., William Knight, Macomb, Penny Baniter, Macomb and Brad Bainter, Macomb. She had eight greatgrandchildren, Ryan and Ashley Pasquarello, Sydney, Emma and Marne Gonzalez, Mat Peterson, Chelesa Bainter, Dustin Bainter and a great-granddaughter to be born in October, CharlieRae Elizabeth to August and Krysta Isernhagen.

Elizabeth had a quick wit and great sense of humor. She loved to sew, quilt and knit, making several items for family and friends. She was an excellent cook, two of the family’s favorites were her khesslnifla and pecan pie. She and August enjoyed traveling and visiting their grandchildren. Her favorite Bible verse was the 23rd Psalm which she read every night. She crocheted this Psalm and gave it to family as well. She looked forward to Sunday church services. She will be missed by all those she came into contact with. She loved being a wife, mother and homemaker. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 22, at 10:30 central daylight time at Peace Lutheran Church, St. Francis. Memorial contributions may be made to “The Elms” a nursing care facility in Macomb, Ill, 1212 Madelyn Ave. Macomb, IL 61455.