Obituary, 4 May 1916 Scribner Rustler
Mrs. Mathilda Eilts, who has been quite ill for some time passed away Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Miller of this place. She attained the high age of 76 years, 7 months and 23 days. Mrs. Eilts, who was formerly Miss Mathilda Lerke (Loerke) was born in Walldorf, Province West Preussen, Germany on Sept. 5, 1839. When twenty-two years of age in May the year 1861 she was married to (Joseph) Ernest Bentz. Eleven children were born to them, four having passed away in infancy. After fourteen years of married life they came to America and settled in Dodge county in 1874. After six years in Dodge county Mr. Bentz died leaving his widow and seven children. On July 17, 1882 she was again married to Mr. Tony (Tonjes) Eilts and to this union one son was born. The eight children who are now mourning the death of their mother are five sons and three daughters: Julius Bentz of Rockville, Nebr., Herman Bentz of Spencer, Nebr, Tony (Tonjes) Eilts of Colome, So. Dak, John Bentz of Snyder, Nebr., August Bentz of Pender, Nebr., Mrs. David (Whilhelmine) Wiegand and Mrs. John (Emma) Miller of this place, Mrs. Arthur (Mathilda) Negley of Bristow, Nebr., also thirty-five grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the John Miller home and the Ridgeley German Lutheran Monday afternoon, burial was made on the cemetery near that church.

Other children who died in Prussia:
Ernestine Mathilde Benz b. 8 May 1862 Jasczerrek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia d. unknown
Bertha Rosalie Marie Benz b. 4 Feb 1864 Wittschinken, Pr. Stargard, West Prussia d. 21 Feb 1864, b. Montassek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia
Hermann Gustav Benz b. 7 Feb 1870 Jasczerrek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia d. 18 Apr 1870 Jasczerrek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia, b. Montassek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia
August Benz b. 4 Feb 1871 Jasczerrek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia d. 9 Feb 1871 Jasczerrek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia, b. Montassek, Kr. Schwetz, West Prussia