Althea Sessions Hitz was born at Woodruff, Utah, January 27, 1892. She was the eldest child of Byron A. and Ellen J. Cox Sessions.
She resided in Utah until she was eight years old, when with her parents and other pioneers she came to the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming in 1900. She spent her school days and young womanhood here, and at the age of twenty, on January 28, 1912 she woa nar-ted was married to Christian Hitz. To this union eight children were born, three of whom preceded her in death through a tragic fire which destroyed their home in Byron. For many years they made their home in Elk Basin where Chris was engaged in the oil fields. They were a singularly happy couple, for she loved to make her home attractive and comfortable, and their children grew to maturity in an atmosphere of beauty and refinement. Althea had a natural gift for beautiful handwork, which she cultivated all her life, and her home is filled with lovely specimens of crochet and embroidery work and had made flowers with living plants, flowers and birds which was her joy to tend and care for. She was a loving wife and mother, devoted to the care of her husband and children exclusive of all else. She sought, nor cared for public acclaim, and was strictly a home body all her life, She was famous for the lovely white washings she hung on her lines, and was an excellent cook and her pantry was always well stocked with canned goods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, jams, and jellies, attesting to her thriftiness.
She has been ill for more than two years, and though her suffering at times has been almost unendurable, she has borne it most pat-iently. Much of this time she has been in the hospital, but her husband has been in constant attendance at her bedside, both there and at home, and has tenderly cared for her every need and comfort. Very few people realize how many sleepless nights he has spent alone with her during this trying time, and only during the past few months has he accepted the help of friends and neighbors. Chris has indeed been a devoted husband and patient nurse.
Mrs. Hitz leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, three sons, Edward S. of Cody, Clarence S. and Marvin S. of Byron, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Frazier of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, and Mrs. Floyd Corum of Midwest, Wyoming. Also six grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters--Marvin Sessions of Lovell, Otis Sessions of Byron, Essie Burge of Lovell, Waneta McKinney and Vera Griggs of Byron, Zada Corbett of Worland, Emma Boyce of Elk Basin and Glenn Sessions of Merino, Colorado.
Carefully each flower place, all the blossoms she loved best, As a thankful prayer we breathe that at last she now can rest. As the evening sun went down I went to sit beside her bed, Her brow had lost its worried frown, "Oh, thank you God," I softly said. But somehow it seemed this deep repose was not the sleep for which we prayed. I dared not touch the still white hand that just outside the cover laid; I looked with awe, for as I stood, a smile upon her lips appeared, Then someone touched my arm and said, "Yes, come away, 'tis as we feared".
Softly sing the favored songs, fluted tones of organ play, Gently toll the chapel bells, E'er the closing of the day, Weariness and pain are gone, never should we mourn her loss, She has laid her burden down in the shelter of the cross, Christ will grant her full surcease from the pain she bore so long, And when at length we meet again, her body will be well and strong. Yes, softly toll the chapel bell, play again her favored air, And as she steps beyond the veil, may friends and loved ones greet her there.
Eagerly to welcome her, and make her happy while she waits, For each and every loved one here to pass within the pearly Where precious ties will be renewed and each will seek a chosen spot.
To live and love eternally, with all life's bitterness forgot.
Nellie Vail
She resided in Utah until she was eight years old, when with her parents and other pioneers she came to the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming in 1900. She spent her school days and young womanhood here, and at the age of twenty, on January 28, 1912 she woa nar-ted was married to Christian Hitz. To this union eight children were born, three of whom preceded her in death through a tragic fire which destroyed their home in Byron. For many years they made their home in Elk Basin where Chris was engaged in the oil fields. They were a singularly happy couple, for she loved to make her home attractive and comfortable, and their children grew to maturity in an atmosphere of beauty and refinement. Althea had a natural gift for beautiful handwork, which she cultivated all her life, and her home is filled with lovely specimens of crochet and embroidery work and had made flowers with living plants, flowers and birds which was her joy to tend and care for. She was a loving wife and mother, devoted to the care of her husband and children exclusive of all else. She sought, nor cared for public acclaim, and was strictly a home body all her life, She was famous for the lovely white washings she hung on her lines, and was an excellent cook and her pantry was always well stocked with canned goods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, jams, and jellies, attesting to her thriftiness.
She has been ill for more than two years, and though her suffering at times has been almost unendurable, she has borne it most pat-iently. Much of this time she has been in the hospital, but her husband has been in constant attendance at her bedside, both there and at home, and has tenderly cared for her every need and comfort. Very few people realize how many sleepless nights he has spent alone with her during this trying time, and only during the past few months has he accepted the help of friends and neighbors. Chris has indeed been a devoted husband and patient nurse.
Mrs. Hitz leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, three sons, Edward S. of Cody, Clarence S. and Marvin S. of Byron, and two daughters, Mrs. Roy Frazier of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, and Mrs. Floyd Corum of Midwest, Wyoming. Also six grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters--Marvin Sessions of Lovell, Otis Sessions of Byron, Essie Burge of Lovell, Waneta McKinney and Vera Griggs of Byron, Zada Corbett of Worland, Emma Boyce of Elk Basin and Glenn Sessions of Merino, Colorado.
Carefully each flower place, all the blossoms she loved best, As a thankful prayer we breathe that at last she now can rest. As the evening sun went down I went to sit beside her bed, Her brow had lost its worried frown, "Oh, thank you God," I softly said. But somehow it seemed this deep repose was not the sleep for which we prayed. I dared not touch the still white hand that just outside the cover laid; I looked with awe, for as I stood, a smile upon her lips appeared, Then someone touched my arm and said, "Yes, come away, 'tis as we feared".
Softly sing the favored songs, fluted tones of organ play, Gently toll the chapel bells, E'er the closing of the day, Weariness and pain are gone, never should we mourn her loss, She has laid her burden down in the shelter of the cross, Christ will grant her full surcease from the pain she bore so long, And when at length we meet again, her body will be well and strong. Yes, softly toll the chapel bell, play again her favored air, And as she steps beyond the veil, may friends and loved ones greet her there.
Eagerly to welcome her, and make her happy while she waits, For each and every loved one here to pass within the pearly Where precious ties will be renewed and each will seek a chosen spot.
To live and love eternally, with all life's bitterness forgot.
Nellie Vail