Lila Fay Bintz, 85, of Suring, formerly of Grover, passed away on July 3, 2015.
Fay is the third daughter of Hilbert and Martha (Ritter) Cota born at Cream City in Oconto County on May 11, 1930, as Lila Fay. Known as Fay all her life, she graduated from Lena High School in 1948. On Nov. 11, 1950, she married Harry L. Bintz at the American Lutheran Church in Oconto. They farmed at Harmony Corners for 56 years.
Through the years, Fay was a 4-H leader for 35 years, was affiliated with the Marinette County Fair for 40 years, 20 of those she served as manager, was a volunteer at Camp Bird for over 20 years and was the first generation of four generations of 4-H members.
She was a member of the Homestead Homemakers Club and a founding member of the Saddle Tramps Riding Club. Fay was a bus driver for Peshtigo Public Schools while her children attended school. She drove a route and drove for after-school activities so she could watch her children in sports.
Later in life she was a member of Senior Food and Fitness in Suring. Fay was simply known as known as “Ma” to her children’s friends. Fay also taught many how to ride horse and share her love for horses.
Fay and Harry had four children, Carla (Richard) Gerndt, of Suring, Hollie (Michael) Eichhorst, of Greenleaf, Bradley, of Greenleaf, Brian, deceased; three “special” children, Mary Anne (Paul) Kust, of Coleman, Jerry Harper, of Fort Meyer, Florida, and Donna King, of Oneida; two sisters, Alice (Carleton) Warnecke, of Peshtigo, and Betty Speller, of Oconto; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Clem (Arlene) Bintz, of Marinette, and Roger (Helen) Bintz, of Green Bay; 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Fay was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; son, Brian; and two sisters, Mannie and Cleo.
Visitation was held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Grover on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Paul Schleis officiating. Fay was laid to rest in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Cemetery.
Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
A special thank you to Unity Hospice of De Pere, Pastor Paul and Denise Schleis, and Rachael and Evan Geib for their loving care and gifts at the end of Fay’s life.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride!
