Julia Marcella (Burich) Pritzl, age 92, of Reedsville, went home to Jesus after passing away on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at Aurora Medical Center, Manitowoc County. She was born on October 30, 1918, in the Rockland Township of Manitowoc County at her familys homestead farm, the youngest daughter of the late John and Anna (Satorie) Burich. Julia graduated from Reedsville High School in 1936. She married Elmer Pritzl on June 16, 1938, at St. Mary's the Assumption Parish in Reedsville, and they spent the next 70 years together. Elmer preceded her in death on July 14, 2008. Julia proudly farmed side by side with her husband, Elmer, even carrying milk pails from their 40-cow Holstein herd until the very last day before their retirement in 1982. Julia was extremely proud to have been the fourth generation to farm the familys 215-acre homestead which consists of land joined together when her parents were married in 1906. The entire family homestead is now operated by her daughter and son-in-law and dates back to 1867. At that farm, Elmer and Julia had a herd of Holsteins and also raised hogs, geese, and other livestock. During World War II, the Pritzls raised a great deal of clover seed for the Department of Defense. The clover oil was used to lubricate high-end military guns. Julia was an excellent cook and made outstanding pies and other Bohemian recipes. She enjoyed playing the piano and the concertina with her father, John. In addition, she never missed an opportunity to listen or dance to a good polka. She also enjoyed her cat, Harley. Most importantly, Julia enjoyed spending time with her family and enjoyed fishing with Elmer and all her relatives. Julia most certainly rejoiced in the fact she was able to live in her own home up until her second last day on earth. Julias immediate family was a founding member of St. Mary's the Assumption Parish in Reedsville and contributed red oak logs from their woods and gravel from the family pit for the construction of the first consecrated Bohemian Catholic Church in North America. She was a member of the St. Annes Christian Mothers and a member of the Maple-Rock Homemakers Club. Elmer and Julia were also charter members of the Lake-to-Lake Cooperative. She also was a member of Holy Family Parish in Brillion. Survivors include a son Elmer John Pritzl of Two Rivers; two daughters: Rosalie (Randall) Geiger of Reedsville, and Annette (Robert) Krueger of New London; a son-in-law: Ken Konop of Brillion; 10 grandchildren: Julie Konop (Mark Frischman) of Philadelphia, Pa.; Chad (Melissa) Konop of Oshkosh; Lisa (Mark) Pritzl-Mueller of Tomah; Jody Pritzl (Karl Schipper) of Denver, Colo.; Erik (Katie) Pritzl of Sun Prairie; Corey Geiger (Krista Knigge) of Mukwonago; Angela (Nate) Zwald of Beaver Dam; Samantha (Brad) Kable of New London; Stephanie (Jason) Meir of New Glarus; and Stacey (Nick) Zwirlein of Milwaukee; 10 great-grandchildren: Matt Mueller of Tomah; Dylan, Owen and Natasha Konop, all of Oshkosh; Madelyn and Claire Pritzl of Sun Prairie; Mary and Allison Zwald of Beaver Dam; and Steven and Alexa Kable of New London; two sister-in-laws: Veronica Voss of Manitowoc, and Dorothy (Lawrence) Kubale of Middleton. Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer; and a daughter, Jacqueline Konop; along with three sisters and their husbands: Mary (Herb) Kalies; Agnes (George) Kubsch; Beatrice (Quirren) Sleger. Also preceding her in death was a teenage sister Cecilia Burich and two infant brothers Wenceslaus and Adolphus Burich. She was also preceded in death by two brother-in-laws and their wives: Art (Bernice) Pritzl and Louis (Lucille) Pritzl; a sister-in-law and her husband, Mary (Walter) Lashua; and brother-in-law Earl Voss. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brillion. The Rev. Timothy Brandt will officiate with burial to follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Reedsville. Friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home in Reedsville on Friday, September 30, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The visitation will continue at the church in Brillion on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Preservation of St. Marys Historical Building. Online condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com
