Harvey H. Relitz

Harvey H. Relitz 85, of Emerson, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, September 09, 2014 at Heritage of Emerson in Emerson, NE. Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2014 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE; with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating. Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2014 at Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE, with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson, NE. Memorials may be given to the family for future designation. Arrangement are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Harvey was born April 30, 1929, to Ferdinand and Alvena (Stolze) Relitz in rural Emerson, NE. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson. Harvey attended and graduated from Emerson High School in 1946. Harvey served in the Korean War from January 1951 to October 1952. On May 24, 1953 Harvey married Irma Punke. To this union two children were born. After returning home from the service, he farmed in the Emerson area until 1989. Harvey then worked as the rural mail carrier in Emerson from 1989 until his retirement in 1997. Harvey was a member of the American Legion for 59 years and the Commander of the Emerson Post for 30 years and a member of the VFW. Harvey enjoyed playing cards, fixing tractors watching Nebraska Football and taking his grandchildren to tractor pulls. Most of all, Harvey loved his family and enjoyed being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Harvey is survived by his wife, Irma; son, Craig (Deb) Relitz of Emerson, NE; daughter, Cynthia (Randal) Bargholz of Wayne, NE; sisters, Mardell Bonderson of Sioux City, IA and Wanda Jensen of Lyons, NE; brothers, Wesley Relitz of AZ and Robert (Carol) Relitz of MD; 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers-in-law, Larry Jensen and Richard Bonderson.