She was a legend
Born in Germany, her father saw Hitler on the rise and hurriedly moved to America to find work. He found it and poured every ounce of sweat equity into funding three tickets across the Atlantic for his wife and two daughters. In 1928, a 6 year old Elizabeth arrived on Ellis Island to be given her citizenship.
Rough seas caused the Captain of the Deutschland to hold the ship off shore one night longer. The delay gave her father no option but to sleep on the New York Pier. His sacrificial work to bring them to America culminated in that frigid night. It ravaged him with pneumonia, eventually taking his life.
His young widow and two daughters were now orphaned in a new country and the great depression was on the horizon. Young Elizabeth saw the hand of God move as her mother became a caretaker for an affluent family with a wife and mother who was gravely ill. As this sickly lady passed away, her dying wish was for Elizabeth’s mother to marry her soon to be widower.
Her father’s work ethic and determination stamped her young life. Her step-father could never replace him, but he was God’s provision for this young immigrant family. Elizabeth grew strong and resourceful, eventually working as a waitress in a Bucks County, PA restaurant. A young, strong Jim Stitzinger worked in the same place, bussing tables. The two were magnets and Jim set out to marry the stunning Elizabeth.
Hitler had made his move and the Japanese assaulted Pearl Harbor. Jim enlisted in the Army and finally received his date to ship out. On April 9, 1944, just a couple days before departing for war, Jim and Elizabeth were married. The night before his departure, Jim snuck off base to be with his wife. He was caught on return and the company commander made him a messenger on the battle field, saying that since he loved to run & evade so much, he could do that in the war as penalty.
The war struck cruel and hard. Elizabeth did her part and became a welder on American airplanes that would eventually drop bombs on her Germany. Jim returned home, humbled and galvanized by the tragedy of war. Elizabeth welcomed him home and together they established their lives with “Willow Grove lumber and heating oil” and doing the one thing Jim could do in his sleep, build houses. Together, they could do anything. They gave us our work ethic, tenacity and resourcefulness.
She gave birth to 5 children, each one engrained with the rugged and resourceful tenacity that characterized both of their parents. Billy Graham came to town preaching the gospel. The ears of the family were open and Christ transformed their hearts and lives under his preaching.
With a newly Christ-centered home, their children Jim Jr, Hans, Michael, Heidi and Erich all grew to love Christ and have spent their lives growing from the foundation they heard under Graham’s initial sermon and their parents relentless love. The youngest, Erich, though full of vigor and charm, lost his life at 15 to a botched appendicitis diagnosis. The pain of burying a child and a brother scarred the family deeply.
Elizabeth saw the growth of farms, businesses and ministry. She never flinched at adversity. When crushed by life’s trials, she clung to her Savior. When blessed by life’s joy’s, she gave credit to Christ. Children, flowers, vegetables, chickens…she raised them all. Hornet nests, birds nests, dried flowers, chairs, antiques…she collected them all. There wasn’t a peddler, flee market, sale rack or discount she did not have the instincts to find.
She was a baker & short order cook, had a place for herself at the table, but always ate last. For 69 years of marriage, she made the food, Jim washed the dishes. She kept a day bed in the farmhouse kitchen so she could nap when needed. If you wonder why most of us Stitzinger’s need only a few hours sleep, it’s because Grandma taught us how overrated it was.
She could make anything. She observed everything. She was the comforter, sage, calming voice through any storm and the one who’s smile melted even the toughest of her boys.
For 92 legendary years she graced this earth. The farm will never be the same. Her legacy stamped our heart. Friday night she fell asleep, laying in the very same kitchen where she died to self so many times before. But this time, she closed her eyes on this earth and awoke in the glorious presence of her Savior.
Today she is face to face with Jesus. Her pain is no more, her strength is eternally renewed. Her faith is turned to sight and her heavenly father has said, “well done good and faithful servant.”