1918 Influenza Pandemic claims Leisz family member

John Franklin Leisz Jr. (1895-1977) (shown at left)  shared memories of when his younger sister Anna Leisz died in 1919 at age 21 from the Spanish Influenza Pandemic. Here are verbatim notes from John Franklin's eldest child Muriel Leisz Klingelhoets (1921-2009) in the words of her father about when he lost his sister Anna:

"At Thanksgiving, he writes the flu is all gone in Turtle Lake and Anna and Theresa are coming home...December 21st, Dad writes he isn't feeling well again. December 26th, he says Anna, his sister, had come home for Christmas but is sick with a cold."

"In the next letter, he says Anna is very sick with 104-degree temperature and they don't think she'll live overnight. Their friend, Lillie Haase, had died the previous morning and he won't be able to attend the funeral. 

Theresa is coming on January 7th. He writes that Anna is still alive, but barely. The doctor says she's struggling between life and death and all are worried sick. She can't take her medicine or water, and breath is short."

"Joe is coming (Joseph Leisz, brother of John Franklin and Anna) (from Cameron, Wis., where he works as a cheesemaker), and they have sent for the Montana girls (John Franklin and Joe's sisters Juel, Mary and Theresa are all living in Billings, Montana) so he will be meeting the trains."

Anna died on Tuesday, January 7, 1919. 

"He (John) next writes on Friday (January 10, 1919) and the funeral is all over. Girls arrived on Wednesday and by Monday they are already going back. 

He (John) is so lonesome for Anna—says she was always so good to him. Theresa has stayed for awhile, which helps. 

He talks also about the very mild winter and little snow. Thinks he can get his old Ford, Lizzie, out again.

Theresa is going back to Billings—is anxious to get back to the jewelry store where she works."

Anna Leisz is buried at St. Ann's Cemetery in Turtle Lake. She was one of 50 million victims claimed by the 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic.