Ila M. Reitz

Ila M. Reitz, 68, longtime Warden resident, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation in Moses Lake. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 11 at the Warden First Baptist Church with Doctor Lester Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Warden. Arrangements are in care of Kayer's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Ila was born August 8, 1936 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, daughter of the late Edward and Edna (Mellor) Couch. As a young girl the family moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where she was raised. She was married to Albert Reitz, Sr. Ila eventually settled in the Columbia Basin in 1951 and had lived in Moses Lake and Othello before moving to Warden. She had worked at "Big John's" in Warden for many years, retiring following ownership changes in the 1980's. She enjoyed traveling, camping, family reunions and playing pinochle with family and friends.

She is survived by seven daughters and spouses, Marlene and Jim Macken, Warden, Linda and LaMarr Trayler, Sherman, Texas, Pamela and Jack Lepper, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Twila and Gilbert Hernandez, Moses Lake, Peggie and Ed Wurzer, Warden, Kerry Reitz, Warden and Susie and Kent Hall, Moses Lake; two sons, Albert Reitz, Jr., Warden and Johnnie Reitz, Moses Lake; three sisters and spouses, Mickie and Gilbert Williamson, Moses Lake, Ruth Marez, Royal City and Merry and Juan Blanco, Moses Lake; close companion, Pete Schmunk, Warden; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

One daughter, Sharon Reitz and one granddaughter, Shanna Hernandez, preceded her in death.