Jean W. Selz

Jean W. Selz, formerly of Fairfield, IA, passed away June 30, 2006 in Corpus Christi, TX at the age of 97.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 PM, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. Rev. Charles McCracken and Rev. Richard Wallarab officiated. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Carnegie Historical Museum.

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
Gene Luedtke
P.O. Box 52
Fairfield, IA 52556

Mrs. Selz was born June 5, 1909 in St. Andrews, Scotland, the daughter of Robert and Betsy (Buddo) Keith. At the age of two, she and her family emigrated from Scotland to Chicago, IL and later, Dayton, OH.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Dayton, and from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH, she married Paul B. Selz on October 29, 1931. Their early married life revolved around the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Warren, PA, where Mr. Selz was Director of Religious Education and where two daughters were born. Mr. Selz's appointment to the Parsons College faculty prompted the family's move to Fairfield in 1942.

Active in Wit and Wisdom Club, Fairfield Women's Club, Jefferson County Hospital Auxiliary, P.E.O., P.T.A., bridge clubs, and various other community activities, Mrs. Selz was a long-term member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, serving as elder and holding offices in the he Presbyterian Women's organization. She taught English and history at Birmingham High School.

For many years, Mrs. Selz enjoyed reading and was an accomplished book reviewer. She also enjoyed travel, crocheting, golf, bridge, gardening, and entertaining friends and Parsons College faculty and students. She wrote humorous poetry and stories. In the 1990's, she and Mr. Selz collaborated on the history of the 150 years of the First Presbyterian Church and on the history of the Wit and Wisdom Club.

Mr. and Mrs. Selz celebrated their 60th anniversary with a Panama Canal cruise, along with daughter Shirley, son-in-law Luis Garza, Jr., and friends Philip (Tib) and Vera Young. Over the years, they enjoyed trips throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Egypt. They lived in Cairo, Egypt in 1961-1962, when Mr. Selz taught at the American University of Cairo. Family vacations included travels to Hawaii, Alaska, numerous additional states, and Canada.

After 63 years in Fairfield, Mrs. Selz moved to Corpus Christi in March 2005 to be near family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret, and husband Paul in 1994.

Survivors include daughters Martha J. Brown of Tulsa, OK; Shirley Selz Garza (Luis Garza, Jr.) of Corpus Christi, TX; step-grandchildren Zita Garza Skurka (Mark), Luis Joel Garza (Sara Rebecca), Alonso Javier Garza, and Drucilla Garza Barrera (deceased)(Manuel T. Barrera); step great grandchildren David Barrera, Edward Barrera, and Samantha Skurka; nephews Thomas C. Wetzel (Marnie), Richard D. Wetzel (Beverly); nieces Barbara Wetzel, Sue Ann Steberl (Don), and Kathy Smead (John); and numerous cousins in the United States, Canada, and Scotland.