Sadella Marie Herlitz

         Sadella Marie Herlitz, age 96, a lifelong Park Rapids, MN area resident, peacefully passed into the eternal glory of heaven on Monday, December 31, 2018 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids surrounded by her loved ones.           Sadella was born on January 11, 1922 in Savannah Township of Becker County, MN to Andrew and Mary (Wehage) Gartner.  She attended the Golden Rod District #129 Country School near her home.  On November 20, 1944 she was united in marriage to Jacob Henry “Jack” Herlitz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets, MN. Their marriage was blessed with two children: Donna and Raymond.  She devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and children.  She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious homemade pork chops, mashed potatoes and creamed peas and her famous homemade bread.  She enjoyed working late into the night completing embroidery work she would give as gifts to family and friends.  In 1948, she and Jack purchased a farm in Savannah Township where they engaged in dairy farming.  For over 25 years, Sadella worked right alongside her husband in caring for and milking their herd of cows.  She would spend long days in the fields helping turn the rugged land into a productive farm to raise the crops they needed for their herd.  In 1973, they sold their dairy cattle and she and Jack began running the Two Inlets-Savannah Township Landfill which she invested another 25 years of her life in.  Her fearlessness was legendary as she chased off many marauding black bears from the dumpsters armed only with a shovel.  She was a faithful lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets where she was active in the Ladies Guild.  Above all, Sadella devoted her life to her family who she loved with all her heart.               She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Donna (Dale) Forbes of Cottonwood, AZ; her son who has cared for her these many years, Raymond J. Herlitz of Two Inlets, MN; her granddaughter, Nicole (Dean) Myshack of Mpls; her four grandsons: Eugene Forbes, Terry Forbes and Scott Forbes all of Park Rapids and Matthew Herlitz of Mpls; her five precious great-grandchildren: Cole, Autumn, Anthony, Ally and Ava; her brother, Virgil (Beverly) Gartner of New Hope; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.                   Sadella was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents and nine siblings.