- Date Of Birth: March 15, 1910
- Date Of Death: May 11, 2008
- State: Illinois
Henrietta L. Wurtzel, 98, of Freeport, died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at Parkview Home.
Born March 15, 1910 in Freeport she was the daughter of Henry A. and Adela (Weiglow) Lohff. She married Robert P. Wurtzel November 22, 1933 in Freeport and he died April 4, 1983.She and her husband, Bob, were recognized around the tri-state area as “The Magical Wurtzels” Their hobby took them from coast to coast, Cuba, Canada, and Hawaii. They shared their talents with hundreds of groups ranging from the smallest grade schoolers to nursing home residents. A clearly memorable engagement had Henrietta performing in Cuba during the reign of Fulgencio Batista- while in the hills just miles away Castro’s insurgents were attempting to overthrow the government. Henrietta was also known as Freeport’s first “Lady of Magic” and was a member of the national organization, “Magic Gals”. A strong supporter of the Highland Community College, for many years she would present her scholarship to a student in person at the annual scholarship program. Each and every year when it was time to give the scholarship it seemed to have “disappeared”. But fortunately Henrietta would bring along her “magic purse” and “magic wand” which made the scholarship re-appears much to the relief of the recipient student and delight of the audience.
She was a 1928 graduate of Freeport High School. For ten years she was the volunteer for the Tuberculosis Association sending out the Christmas seal and recording contributions. A member of St. John United Church of Christ she served through the years as Sunday school teacher, member of church dramatic Guild, President of Woman’s Fellowship, and past officer of Golden Agers. Henrietta’s memberships included, being a past officer of Freeport Women’s Club, Culture Club, Y.W.C.A., 50 year member of Winneshiek Players, life member of Stephenson County Historical Society and Freeport Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was the last surviving member of her family.
