Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Bertha Rutz


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Bertha Rutz and 24 of her descendants down to the sixth generation.


First Generation
1. Bertha Rutz,1 born ____ (parents not determined). Bertha married Herman Quardokus (born ca. 1850 in Germany, parents not determined1).

Child of Bertha Rutz and Herman Quardokus:

+2i. Harry Henry Quardokus, born 1 August 1893 in Lincoln, Berrien County, Michigan; died 14 April 1969. Married Hattie Belle Herman.

  1. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Berrien County, St. Joseph City, Enumeration District 108, Sheet No. 12B, family of Jack P. Wright (40, Michigan, assembler, machine shop); wife Martha Wright (38, Michigan); father-in-law Herman Quardokus (70, Pompern. Germany, widow, immigrated 1891); sister-in-law Minnie Quardokus (31, Michigan, pad maker, rubber plant); Harry Quardokus (26, Michigan, machine hand, auto specialty); sister-in-law Hattie Quardokus (21, Michigan, teacher, public school).
Second Generation
2. Harry Henry Quardokus2 (Bertha1), born 1 August 1893 in Lincoln, Berrien County, Michigan;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 14 April 1969.2, 4 Harry married, 25 October 1919 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, Hattie Belle Herman3 (born 21 July 1898 in Michigan, the daughter of Frank David Herman and Leona Almira Gazley;5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Hattie died 2 July 1994 in South Haven, Van Buren County, Michigan8, 9). Harry and Hattie are buried in Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan.2, 8

Children of Harry Henry Quardokus and Hattie Belle Herman:

+3i. Jane Ann Quardokus, born 10 September 1920 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; died 10 June 2015. Married Roy Bernard Elson.
+4ii. Claire Madelyn Quardokus, born 28 December 1921 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; died 9 November 2010 in Apache Junction, Pinal County, Arizona. Married (1) Arnold Vernon ‘Bud’ Bishop Married (2) Robert E. ‘Bob’ Black.
+5iii. Fay Gordon Quardokus, born 23 November 1923 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; died 4 April 2008 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan. Married Helen Fish.
+6iv. Jacqueline Leona ‘Jackie’ Quardokus, born 17 August 1926 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; died 5 June 1981 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana. Married (1) George Robert Bookwalter Married (2) John Anthony Reitz.
+7v. Harlan Gene Quardokus, born 30 August 1934 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; died 28 April 2012 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan. Married Constance Kathryne ‘Connie’ Zalenski.

  1. Michigan Births, 1867-1902; Harry Henry Quardokus, born 18 August 1893 in Lincoln, Michigan; parents: Herman and Bertha Quardokus, both born in Germany.
  2. Find a Grave (website). Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; Harry H. Quardokus, born: 1 August 1893; died: April 1969 (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents, seven siblings, wife, and five children).
  3. Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1935, License No. 1223, 1919; Harry H. Quardokus, age 26, born in Michigan; Father’s Name: Herman; Mother’s Maiden Name: Rutz; Hattie B. Herman, age 21, born in Michigan; Father’s Name: Frank; Mother’s Maiden Name: Gayley [sic]; date of license: 25 October 1919, Berrien County, Michigan. Record includes images of the front and back of the marriage license.
  4. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Harry Quardokus, SSN: 377189893, born 1 August 1893, died 14 April 1969.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Berrien County, St. Joseph City, Enumeration District 108, Sheet No. 12B, family of Jack P. Wright (40, Michigan, assembler, machine shop); wife Martha Wright (38, Michigan); father-in-law Herman Quardokus (70, Pompern. Germany, widow, immigrated 1891); sister-in-law Minnie Quardokus (31, Michigan, pad maker, rubber plant); Harry Quardokus (26, Michigan, machine hand, auto specialty); sister-in-law Hattie Quardokus (21, Michigan, teacher, public school).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Berrien County, Lincoln Township, Enumeration District 11-32, Sheet No. 10A, family of Harry Quardogus [sic] (36, Michigan, laborer, federal building, first married age 26; wife Hattie Quardogus (31, Michigan, first married age 21); daughter Jane Quardogus (9, Michigan); daughter Clare Quardogus (8, Michigan); son Fay Quardogus (6, Michigan); daughter Chatharina Quardogus (3 8/12).
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Lincoln Township, Enumeration District 11-45, Sheet No. 8A, family of Harry Quardokus (46, Michigan, farmer, fruit farm); wife Hattie Quardokus (41, Michigan); daughter Jane Quardokus (19, Michigan); daughter Clair Quardokus (18, Michigan); son Fay Quardokus (16, Michigan); daughter Jacqueline Quardokus (14, Michigan); son Harlan Quardokus (5, Michigan).
  8. Find a Grave (website). Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; Hattie Herman Quardokus, born: 21 July 1898; died: 2 July 1994 (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, ten siblings, husband, and five children).
  9. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Hattie B. Quardokus, died 2 July 1994 in South Haven, Van Buren [County], Michigan, born 21 July 1898.
  10. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 61, Sheet No. 8B, family of Frank D. Herman (29, Michigan, May 1871, farmer); wife of 9 years Leona A. Herman (26, Michigan, Dec. 1873, 4 children, 3 living); daughter Minnie A. Herman (6, Michigan, Jan. 1894); son Freddie L. Herman (4, Michigan, Dec. 1895); daughter Hattie B. Herman (1, Michigan, July 1898). [They are listed 2 houses away from Christopher and Margaret Herman.]
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 70, Sheet No. 3B, family of Frank Herman (39, Michigan, farmer); wife of 19 years Leona Herman (37, Michigan, 10 children, 9 living); father Christopher Herman (84, Germany, married 49 years); daughter Minnie I. Herman (16, Michigan); son Fred Herman (14, Michigan); daughter Hattie Herman (11, Michigan); daughter Ruby Herman (8, Michigan); son Ralph Herman (6, Michigan); daughter Margaret Herman (4, Michigan); son Albert Herman (2, Michigan); daughter Esther Herman (1 6/12, Michigan); daughter Mildred Herman (4/12, Michigan).
Third Generation
3. Jane Ann Quardokus3 (Harry,2 Bertha1), born 10 September 1920 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan;1, 2, 3, 4 died 10 June 2015.1 Jane married, 29 June 1946, Roy Bernard Elson7 (born 14 January 1920 in Riverside, Berrien County, Michigan, the son of Claude Henry Elson and Bessie Elizabeth Snouffer;5, 6, 7 Roy died 11 May 2004 in Apache Wells, Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona5, 6, 7). Jane and Roy are buried in National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.1, 5, 7, 8

Child of Jane Ann Quardokus and Roy Bernard Elson:

+8i. James Robert Elson, born 3 November 1948. Married Veronica Cote.

4. Claire Madelyn Quardokus3 (Harry,2 Bertha1), born 28 December 1921 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan;2, 3, 9, 10 died 9 November 2010 in Apache Junction, Pinal County, Arizona.9, 10 Claire married, first, 5 December 1942 in Berrien County, Michigan, Arnold Vernon ‘Bud’ Bishop9, 10, 11 (born 20 February 1923 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, the son of Carlton Bishop and Ella Dass;11 Bud died 1983 in Maricopa County, Arizona11). Claire married, second, 21 June 1985 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, Robert E. ‘Bob’ Black10, 12 (born 21 December 1919 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, the son of Claude Black and Sally McMullin;4, 12 Bob died 4 June 1991 in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona12). Claire is buried in West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona.9 Bud is buried in West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona.11

Children of Claire Madelyn Quardokus and Arnold Vernon ‘Bud’ Bishop:

+9i. Judith Leigh Bishop, born 30 July 1946. Married Joseph P. Thrasher.
 10ii. Claire Lynn Bishop, born 7 February 1952.4
 11iii. Chris C. Bishop, born 4 July 1956 in Michigan;13 died 24 December 1965 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.13 Chris is buried in West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona.13

5. Fay Gordon Quardokus3 (Harry,2 Bertha1), born 23 November 1923 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan;2, 3, 14 died 4 April 2008 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan.14 Fay married, 15 November 1944 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, Helen Fish14 (born 4 October 1924 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, the daughter of James C. Fish and Josephine M. Swiatkowski;15 Helen died 30 July 2020 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan15). Fay and Helen are buried in Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan.14, 15

Children of Fay Gordon Quardokus and Helen Fish:

 12i. Susan Joanne Quardokus, born 4 October 1945.4
+13ii. Sally Jean Quardokus, born 9 September 1952. Married William Jack Lyons.
 14iii. Michael Fay Quardokus, born 15 July 1953.4

6. Jacqueline Leona ‘Jackie’ Quardokus3 (Harry,2 Bertha1), born 17 August 1926 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan;2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19 died 5 June 1981 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana.16, 17, 18, 19 Jackie married, first, 4 November 1950 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan, George Robert Bookwalter21 (born 16 May 1915, parents not determined;20 George died 24 August 1993 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan20). Jackie married, second, ca. 1970 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, John Anthony Reitz23 (born 14 June 1925 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, parents not determined;22 John died 22 March 2013 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan22). Jackie is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.16 George is buried in Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan.20

Children of Jacqueline Leona ‘Jackie’ Quardokus and George Robert Bookwalter:

 15i. (unnamed male) Bookwalter, born 25 March 1955 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan;24 died 25 March 1955 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.24
+16ii. Wendy Lynn Bookwalter, born 29 November 1962. Married Mark Eugene Mitch.

7. Harlan Gene Quardokus3 (Harry,2 Bertha1), born 30 August 1934 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan;3, 25 died 28 April 2012 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.25 Harlan married, 4 August 1962, Constance Kathryne ‘Connie’ Zalenski25 (born 27 October 1942, parents not determined4). Harlan is buried in Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan.26

Children of Harlan Gene Quardokus and Constance Kathryne ‘Connie’ Zalenski:

+17i. Gene Harlan Quardokus, born 21 April 1964. Married Laurie Beth Ewen.
+18ii. Stanley Frank Quardokus, born 3 April 1966. Married Julie Lynn Case.
+19iii. Kurt Charles Quardokus, born 25 February 1968. Married Theresa Lynn Shook.

  1. Find a Grave (website). National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona Jane Ann Quardokus Elson, born: 10 September 1920 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan; died: 10 June 2015 (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, four siblings, and husband).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1930, Michigan, Berrien County, Lincoln Township, Enumeration District 11-32, Sheet No. 10A, family of Harry Quardogus [sic] (36, Michigan, laborer, federal building, first married age 26; wife Hattie Quardogus (31, Michigan, first married age 21); daughter Jane Quardogus (9, Michigan); daughter Clare Quardogus (8, Michigan); son Fay Quardogus (6, Michigan); daughter Chatharina Quardogus (3 8/12).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Lincoln Township, Enumeration District 11-45, Sheet No. 8A, family of Harry Quardokus (46, Michigan, farmer, fruit farm); wife Hattie Quardokus (41, Michigan); daughter Jane Quardokus (19, Michigan); daughter Clair Quardokus (18, Michigan); son Fay Quardokus (16, Michigan); daughter Jacqueline Quardokus (14, Michigan); son Harlan Quardokus (5, Michigan).
  4. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  5. Find a Grave (website). National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona Roy Bernard Elson, born: 14 January 1920 in Michigan; died: 11 May 2004 in Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona (from record, which includes the text from his obituary; and provides the names and links for his parents, three siblings, and wife).
  6. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Elson, Roy B., no. 369-18-0295; born 14 January 1920; died 11 May 2004.
  7. Obituary, The Arizona Republic, 19 May 2004, Roy Elson, died 11 May 2004 in Apache Wells, Arizona. The article provides biographical and vital details, and the names of his parents, wife, son, grandchildren, and siblings.
  8. Cemetery Record, National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, available at locategrave.org; Roy B. Elson, born: 14 January 1920; died: 11 May 2004; section B3, row C, site 21.
  9. Find a Grave (website). West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona Claire Madeline Quardokus Black, born: 28 December 1921 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; died: 9 November 2010 in Apache Junction, Pinal County, Arizona (from record, which includes the text from her obituary; and provides the names and links for her parents, four siblings, and one husband).
  10. Obituary, legacy.com; Black, Claire Madelyn, age 89. The article provides her birth and death dates, biographical details, and the names of her husbands, daughters, and siblings.
  11. Find a Grave (website). West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona Arnold Vernon “Bud” Bishop, born: 20 February 1923 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan; died; 1983 in Maricopa County, Arizona (from record, which includes a note naming his parents, wife, and his marriage date and place; and provides the name and link for his wife).
  12. Obituary, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Idaho; 6 June 1991, Robert Black, died 4 June 1991. The article provides biographical and vital details, and names his parents, wives, children, and siblings.
  13. Find a Grave (website). West Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona Chris C. Bishop, born: 4 July 1956 in Michigan; died: 24 December 1965 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona (from record, which includes details from his death certificate).
  14. Obituary, tributes.com, Obituary for Fay Gordon Quardokus, 84, of Stevensville. The article provides birth, marriage, and death information, biographical details, and the names of his parents, wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and siblings, both surviving and preceded.
  15. Find a Grave (website). Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan Helen Fish Quardokus, born: 4 October 1924 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; died: 30 July 2020 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan (from record, which includes the text of her obituary).
  16. Find a Grave (website). Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, Jacqueline L. “Jackie” Quardokus Reitz, born: 1926 in Michigan; died: 1981 (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents and four siblings).
  17. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Reitz, Jacquelyn, no. 380-20-1155; born 17 August 1926; died June 1981.
  18. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), Social Program Correspondence/Document, Jacqueline Leona Quandokus [sic], alias Jacqueline Leo Reitz; died: June 1981; born: 17 August 1926 in Stevensville, Michigan; father: Harry Quandokus [sic]; mother: Hattie Herman.
  19. Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017, Jacqueline L. Reitz, State No. 81-022650; died: 5 June 1981 in South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana; born: 17 August 1926 in Michigan; married, husband: John Reitz; father: Harry Quardokus; mother: Hattie Herman; burial: Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph, Michigan.
  20. Find a Grave (website). Crystal Springs Cemetery, Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, George Robert Bookwalter, born: 16 May 1915; died: 24 August 1993 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan (from record, which includes the text from her obituary).
  21. Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952 (available at ancestry.com), George Walter Bookwalter and Jacqueline Leona Quardokus, married on 4 November 1950 in Stevensville, Michigan.
  22. Obituary, legacy.com; John Anthony Reitz, died: 22 March 2013 in St. Joseph, Michigan; born: 14 June 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of one wife (Rose Clark), his children and their spouses.
  23. U.S., Newspapers.com, Marriage Index, 1800s-current (available at ancestry.com), John Anthony Reitz, age 45, and Jacqueline Leona Bookwalter; married about 1970 in Benton Harbor [Michigan].
  24. Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995, available at familysearch.org. Male, Bookwalter; born 25 March 1955; died 25 March 1995; father: George Bookwalter; mother: Jacquelyn Quardokus.
  25. Obituary, tributes.com, Obituary for Harlan Quardokus, 77, of St. Joseph. The article provides birth, marriage, and death information, biographical details, and the names of his parents, wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, both surviving and preceded.
  26. Find a Grave (website). Lincoln Charter Township Cemetery, Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; Quardokus, Harlan; born 30 August 1934 in Stevensville, Berrien County, Michigan; died 28 April 2012 in St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan [from record].
Fourth Generation
8. James Robert Elson4 (Jane,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 3 November 1948.1, 2 James married Veronica Cote (born 13 September 1950, parents not determined2).

Child of James Robert Elson and Veronica Cote:

 20i. Philip Royce Elson, born 31 October 1985.2

9. Judith Leigh Bishop4 (Claire,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 30 July 1946.2 Judith married Joseph P. Thrasher (born 14 June 1944, parents not determined2).

13. Sally Jean Quardokus4 (Fay,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 9 September 1952.2 Sally married William Jack Lyons (born 12 June 1949, parents not determined2).

Children of Sally Jean Quardokus and William Jack Lyons:

+21i. Mark Alan Lyons, born 11 August 1979. Married Tonya Marie Zanardi.
 22ii. Gary M. Lyons, born 1985.2

16. Wendy Lynn Bookwalter4 (Jacqueline ‘Jackie’,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 29 November 1962.2 Wendy married, 16 July 1988 in Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, Mark Eugene Mitch3 (born 7 November 1959, parents not determined2).

17. Gene Harlan Quardokus4 (Harlan,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 21 April 1964.2 Gene married, 10 September 2008 in LaPorte County, Indiana, Laurie Beth Ewen4 (born December 1962, parents not determined2).

18. Stanley Frank Quardokus4 (Harlan,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 3 April 1966.2 Stanley married Julie Lynn Case (born 31 January 1967, parents not determined2).

Children of Stanley Frank Quardokus and Julie Lynn Case:

 23i. Hattie Lynn Quardokus, born March 1997.2
 24ii. Frank Case Quardokus, born February 2001.2

19. Kurt Charles Quardokus4 (Harlan,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 25 February 1968.2 Kurt married Theresa Lynn Shook (born December 1967, parents not determined2).

  1. Obituary, The Arizona Republic, 19 May 2004, Roy Elson, died 11 May 2004 in Apache Wells, Arizona. The article provides biographical and vital details, and the names of his parents, wife, son, grandchildren, and siblings.
  2. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
  3. Wedding Announcement, Sunday Times-Sentinel, Point Pleasant, West Virginia; Wendy Lynn Bookwalter and Mark E. Mitch, married on 16 July 1988 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The announcement includes the names of the parents of both bride and groom.
  4. Indiana, U.S., County Marriage Indexes, 1993-2015 (available at ancestry.com), Gene H. Quardokus and Laurie B. Ewen, married on 10 September 2008 in LaPorte, Indiana.
Fifth and Sixth Generations
21. Mark Alan Lyons5 (Sally,4 Fay,3 Harry,2 Bertha1), born 11 August 1979.1 Mark married Tonya Marie Zanardi (born June 1977, parents not determined1).

Child of Mark Alan Lyons and Tonya Marie Zanardi:

 25i. Jack Robert Lyons.

  1. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.