Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1945
Charles
E. Ellison
Charles
E. Ellison, a resident of Dundy county for nearly sixty years, passed
away at a local hospital on Friday night after treatment of a heart
condition which forecast his eventual passing. Funeral services were
held at the Laughlin Funeral Home on Monday afternoon and interment
was in the Benkelman cemetery.
Coming
to Dundy county in an immigrant car with his father and other family
members when he was twenty-one years of age, Charles saw the country
in its wild state. He homesteaded northeast of Benkelman and
underwent all the privations of the period in a measure beyond many
of his day for his neighborliness was unsurpassed and he spent many
tiring hours in the service of the comnunity. When sickness befell
the isolated homesteaders, Charles was the first to offer his
services and more than once he left his field to till the fields of
others who had befallen unusual hardships. When deadly contagious
diseases made the homes of neighbors dreaded places he became the
servant of the oppressed and performed such services as they sorely
needed. In more than one case he has been known to go into the homes
of disease ridden families to remove the bodies of those who had
passed away during the night and who could not be removed by the
failing adults of the household.
Not
a man with a flare for profit, Charles Ellison achieved no material
edifice for himself but the esteem that those who knew him best was
without reservation and recommended him as a man of high character.
His later years when health failed him and removed him from gainful
activity he grew into old age without losing his kindness towards
other men and it is questionable if he left this world with a single
enemy.
The
funeral services were in charge of H. R. Thornhill, an evangelist of
Wauneta. Singers were Joe Anderson, Harry Anderson, Mrs. Earl French,
Miss Virginia French and John Troxel. Pallbearers were Herman
Borchert, A. J. Walters, William Powell, James DeWester. A. C. Hoff
and Ward Artist.
Charley
E. Ellison, the son of Josesph J. and Rachel L. Ellison, was born in
the year of 1865 in Indiana and departed this life in the year of
1945 at Benkelman, Nebraska, at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 16
days. He came with his father's immigrant car from Illinois in March
1886 and located on a homestead north and east of Benkelman,
Nebraska. He endured many of the hardships of the early day
homesteaders and was always ready to lend a helping hand in time of
need.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1910
Joseph
J. Ellison
Joseph
J. Ellison, aged 75 years and a pioneer resident of Dundy County,
died at his home in this city Wednesday at 10:40 o'clock from
senility. He had been confined to the house for several weeks,
lingering between life and death.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery.
(Researcher
note: Records show a date of birth as 5-12-1835 and a date of death
as 8-24-1910.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1989
Carl
Frank Els
Carl
Frank Els was born March 14, 1900, the third child of Fredrick
William and Marie Henriette Els at Waterloo, Oklahoma. Carl left home
at an early age and went to work on farms in eastern Nebraska where
he met and married Alice Steiner. They were married September 21,
1921, and moved to Colorado near Alvin.
Carl
farmed for himself for several years, worked on various farms and
farm related industries in Colorado and Nebraska. He and his son,
Byron, moved to Dundy County in 1944. Carl had a genuine love of the
land and thoroughly enjoyed planting and watching things grow. Even
after retirement, he had dreams of everyone having their own garden
with irrigation.
For
quite some while, he was prepared to meet his maker and on September
11, 1989, he lay to sleep in peace.
Carl
was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; two brothers;
three half-sisters; two half-brothers; a stepbrother, granddaughter,
Jacqueline Els; grandson, Dennis Els; and his wife, Alice, who
preceded him in death in 1957.
He
is survived by Leona Wilson and husband, Bruce, of Wray, Colorado;
Byron Els and wife, Leah, of Benkelman; the Rev. Herbert and wife,
Louise, of Bethany, Oklahoma; Delbert and wife, Joyce, of Beulah,
North Dakota; Ivan and wife, Bertha, of Marion Ohio; sister, Louise
Morelli of St. Louis, Missouri; 11 grandchildren: 5
step-grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services
were held Thursday, September 14, 1989, at 1 p.m. at the Jones
Funera] Chapel in Benkelman, Nebraska. with the Rev. Phillip
Bolerjack officiating.
Soloist
Richard Bartholomew sang "Beautiful Isle 0f Somewhere" and
"When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder" accompanied by Mary
Baney on the organ.
Bearers
were Terry Watters, David Wilson, Richard Els, Clint Watters, Dale
Wilson and David Els.
Interment
was in Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado, with arrangements made
by Jones Funeral Home.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1985
Henry
John Martin Els
Henry
John Martin Els was born May 3, 1908, at Netawaka, Kansas, to
Fredrich W . and Henretta Heers Els. He passed away on Thursday, June
13, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver as the result of complications
from heart surgery, at the age of 77 years, 1 month and 5 days.
He
was confirmed on October 21, 1927, as a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran Immanuel Church in Netawaka and attended Netawaka High
School.
He
was involved in farm and ranch work in the Alvin community north of
Wray, Colorado, for several years and worked on several farms in the
Wray and Holyoke communities.
Henry
never married and supported his mother, who lived with him until her
death in 1941.
He
moved to Benkelman in 1976 and even though retired, continued to help
nephew Bryon Els with the farm chores and at harvest time.
When
not helping on the farm, he avidly pursued his two favorite hobbies,
fishing and arrowhead collecting. His arrowhead collecting took him
to parts of Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado where he made the
acquaintance and friendship of many people.
He
tremendously enjoyed the outdoors which accounted for his love of
farming, fishing and collecting and was outdoors whenever the
opportunity arose.
He
was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Fred Els, Hugo and
William Banaka, and sisters, Alvina Scheid, Carolina Enyeart, Freda
Montgomery, Sophia Krautschun and Minnie Schoonover.
He
is survived by brother, Carl Els of Benkelman, and sister, Louise
Morelli of St. Louis, Missouri, as well as a host of nieces and
nephews.
Services
were held Monday, June 17, at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.
Pastor Vernon Whetstone officiated.
Peggy
Roesener accompanied Julia Janicke with selections "Beautiful
Isle Of Somewhere" and "How Great Thou Art."
Bearers
were Eldon Roesener, Randy Weiss, Don Poe, David Wilson, Walt
Bradford and Rex Shaw.
Honorary
bearers were Kenneth Weiss, Edgar Groseclose, Al Anderson, Norman
Schutz, Lester Shaw, Harold Banaka, Lester Criger and Everett
Walgren.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home
of Benkelman.
Printed
in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, October 31, 2006
Richard
Lee Els
Tuesday,
October 31, 2006
Nov.
27, 1949-Oct. 28, 2006
BENKELMAN
-- Richard Lee Els, 56, died Saturday (Oct. 28, 2006) at Northern
Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colo.
He
was born Nov. 27, 1949, at Wray, Colo., to Byron and Leah (Richard)
and was baptized in the Presbyterian Church. He attended grade school
at Dist. No. 52, and later attended high school in Benkelman where he
was a member of the graduating class of 1968. He also took two years
of auto mechanics at Goodland, Kan.
He
served his country in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972 at Fort
Leonardwood, Mo., and Fort Sill in Oklahoma before receiving his
honorable discharge.
On
June 25, 2970, he married Cindy Miller at Benkelman. He worked
several years as an auto mechanic in Benkelman before he realized
farming was his true calling. He worked for his dad for several years
then gradually took over operation of the family farm..
He
was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis, who also died of
leukemia; his grandparents, Aubrey and Myrtle (Pena) Richard, and
Carl and Alice (Steiner) Els; uncles, Henry Els, Delbert Els, Glen
Richard, and John Mosser; aunts, Annie Mosser, Junice Richard, Ardis
Richard, Sophia Krautsheun; and cousin, Jack Els.
Survivors
include his wife, Cindy Els of Benkelman; two sons, David Els of
Abeline, Kan., Brian Els and wife, Margie of Benkelman; a daughter,
April Bullard and husband, Jason of Wray, Colo.; parents, Byron and
Leah Els of Benkelman; a sister, Judy Lutz and husband, Joe of
Benkelman; and six grandchildren.
A
memorial service will be Friday, 1:30 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel
in Benkelman with Rev. Kevin Fink and Marcine Farmer, PMA
officiating. Services will conclude at the chapel. A private
inurnment will take place at a later time.
Memorials
may be given in his name.
Arrangements
are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1970
Dennis
Leo Els
Dennis
Leo Els was born March 15, 1957 in Dundy County, Nebraska, youngest
son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Els. He passed away in Children's Hospital
in Denver, Colorado with Leukemia on September 7, 1970, at the age of
13 years, five months, 22 days. .
Dennis
was an outgoing kind of person interested in others and their
welfare, always planning events for the enjoyments of others. He was
especially interested in fishing and hunting.
He
was a member of the Southeast Community 4-H Club and was happy to be
present at our County Fair where he won a purple ribbon and trophy
with his swine projects.
He
attended school at District 52 and in 1969 he was transferred to the
Max school. He enjoyed his schooling and friendship of his
classmates.
Dennis
was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in Benkelman. He attended
Sunday School and church until his illness would not permit him. His
faith gave him courage and helped him not to complain and to bear his
sickness and suffering in such patience.
He
is survived by his parents, one brother, Richard Lee, and wife,
Cindy; one sister, Judy; grandparents, Carl Els, Max Nebraska, and
Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Richard, Benkelman, Nebraska.
Preceding
him in death was his grandmother, Alice Els.
Services
were held on Thursday, September 10, 1970, at United Methodist Church
at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Allan Martin officiating. The honorary bearers
were Delbert Warning, Steve Stroup, Steve Sis, Kelly Raichart, Gary
Allen, Robby Humphrey, and Kevin Sis. Casket bearers were Verle
Raichart, Boyce Warning, Loren Mossburgh, Jim Sis, Edwin Doyle, and
Dennis Harper. The singers were Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Case and Jim,
organist, Mrs. Betty Erdman.
Interment
was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction of Jay's Funeral
Home.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 2001
Amy
Karen (Reisher) Elwood
LINCOLN—
Amy Karen (Reisher) Elwood died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, at her home
in Lincoln, Neb., after a nearly three-year battle with a rare form
of cancer.
She
was born Oct. 14, 1936, on a Dundy County farm in Southwest Nebraska.
Her parents, Noah G. and Lora Belle (Simmerman) Reisher, six brothers
and sisters moved into a 1883 sod house just months before Karen's
birth. The sod house, its 18-inch thick walls covered with concrete
plaster, remains standing with modern improvements, and is the site
of family gatherings.
In
a book of family memories compiled at a family reunion she helped
organize, Mrs. Elwood wrote about one of her earliest memories on
that farm: being bitten by a rattlesnake on her own front porch.
Although
she was named Amy Karen, her first name was seldom used. Instead she
was known as Karen. Family members called her "Kit."
Karen
graduated from Parks (Neb.) High School in Dundy County in 1954 and
received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1958. She married Robert Elwood
that same year on June 5. The couple had three children: Cheryl Jean,
Michael E. and Douglas L.
When
the oldest child entered junior high in the 1970s, Mrs. Elwood went
back to UNL to get a teaching degree. She taught at Mickle and Davis
junior high schools. Starting in 1985, she taught typing and
keyboarding for 11 years at Lincoln East junior and senior high
schools.
She
retired from teaching in 1996 to travel, one of her favorite
activities. A year later she was diagnosed with cancer. However, she
remained active, going out with friends and even taking a cruise to
the Panama Canal.
Mrs.
Elwood was known for her compassionate nature, her outstanding
abilities as a teacher and her good sense of humor and common sense.
She
was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Lincoln, the
Lincoln Area Retired Teachers, Alpha Delta Kappa, Beta Chapter
(treasurer 1996-2000) and the "N" Club.
Those
who survive her are her daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl Jean and Jon
C. Koeller, of Kansas City, Kan., and their children, David and
Benjamin; her sons and daughters-in-law: Michael E. and Lisa Elwood,
of Kansas City, Mo., and Douglas L. Elwood and Jeannine Zeromsky of
Thornton, Colo.; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Jame D. and
Marjorie Reisher of Benkelman, Neb., Roger L. and Margaret Reisher of
Denver, Colo., and William N. and Ann Reisher of Lincoln, and her
sisters and brothers-in-law: Mary I. and Marvin Moeller of Arvada,
Colo., Norma L. and Leon Johnson of Westminster, Colo., and Shirley
H. Wert of Las Vegas, Nev.
Other
survivors include her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bill and
Loretta Elwood of Grandview, Texas, Joe and Dorothy Elwood and Vicki
Elwood of Elliott, Iowa, Gordon and Mary Elwood of Glenwood, Iowa,
Ira and Sandy Elwood of Grand Island, Neb., Warren and Virginia
Elwood of Lewis, Iowa, and Dale and Janie Elwood of Red Oak, Iowa;
her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Mary and Morris Kille of
Dumas, Texas, Jean and Charles Pope of Omaha, Neb., Linda and Vern
Gute of Modale, Iowa, and Judy and Bob Blay of Villisca, Iowa, and
nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial
services for Karen Elwood were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6,
2001, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Lincoln with the Rev.
Dan Safarik officating. Burial of cremains was in the Lincoln
Memorial Park. Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.
Memorials
may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 7441 "0" St.,
Ste. 104, Lincoln, NE 68510 or Cedars Youth Services, 620 N. 48th
St., Lincoln, NE 68504.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1936
Artus
Ulysus Endfield
Artus
Ulysus Endfield was born near Atlantic, Iowa, on July 25, 1870. He
departed this life at Hastings, Nebraska, on February 25, 1936, at
the age of 65 years and 7 months. Because of failing health and an
attack of pneumonia, he has gone to join our mother. She passed away
nearly six years ago.
In
1881 he moved with his parents to Indianola, Nebraska. He soon left
home going to a farm of his own at Cedar Bluffs, Kansas.
On
January 19, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Anna
Schamel. They later moved to Cheyenne county, Kansas. In 1904 he
purchased a small farm near Benkelman, Nebraska, adding to it by
thrift and good judgment. Here they spent the remainder of their
lives.
To
this union ten children were born. Four infants preceded him in
death. The surviving children are: four boys, Willie of Haigler,
Nebraska; Loyd of Stevensville, Montana; 0llie of Emmett, Idaho, and
Charley of Fort Benton, Montana and two daughters,
Mrs.
Ethel Parman of Benkelman and. Mrs. Pearl Guy of Knights Landing,
California; also one son Calvin Endfield by a former marriage.
He
was united with the Methodist church shortly after moving to Dundy
county. He was a loving husband, a kind father and a good neighbor
and was respected by all who knew him.
He
also leaves to mourn his passing one brother, two sisters, one
stepfather, John Snavely of Benkelman, eighteen grandchildren and
many other relatives and friends.
Funeral
services were conducted at the Methodist church Friday afternoon by
Rev. J. C. Foster and interment was in the Benkelman cemetery.
(Researcher
note: Benkelman cemetery burials spell the last name as “Enfield”.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1991
Gilbert
Richard "Andy" Enevoldsen
BENKELMAN--Gilbert
Richard "Andy" Enevoldsen, 82, died Monday. June 24, 1991,
at his home in Benkelman, Nebraska. He was born November 25, 1908, in
Farwell, Nebraska.
He
graduated from Kenesaw (Nebraska) High School in 1927 and attended
Kearney State-Nebraska for one year.
After
graduating from high school, Andy worked campaigns in the laboratory
for Great Western Sugar Company in Gering, Nebraska.
He
married Lillian Maxine Lang on March 1, 1933, in Boulder, Colorado.
They had two children, John "Jack" and Sandra.
He
accepted full-time employment in the laboratory with Great Western
Sugar Company in Billings, Montana, in 1937.
In
1947 he was promoted to assistant superintendent and transferred to
the factory at Lovell, Wyoming. In 1949. Andy was transferred to
Gering, also serving as assistant superintendent, and lived at the
old factory in Minatare. Nebraska.
In
1952, he was transferred back to Billings. again as assistant
superintendent. He was then promoted to superintendent and served in
this capacity at the Great Western Sugar Company factories at Lovell
from 1955, Ovid, Colorado, from 1961, Loveland, Colorado, from 1967
and finally at Billings from 1970.
He
retired in Billings in December 1973 and lived there until moving to
Benkelman in 1985.
Andy's
hobbies were stamp collecting, photography, rock collecting and
lapidary, Indian arrowhead and artifact hunting, fly tying and
fishing.
Andy
was known for his dry, droll sense of humor. His humorous remarks
will be missed by his main street and coffee-drinking friends.
He
was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Maxine, who died July 6,
1983, at Billings and his grandsons, Richard Scott Enevoldsen and
Andy Enevoldsen.
He
is survived by his son Jack and daughter-in-law Janet Roberta
(Hughes) Enevoldsen of Bremerton, Washington: granddaughter Cathy
(Enevoldsen) Morton and grandson-in-law Peter Clair Morton,
great-granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Morton and great-grandson Andrew
Christopher Morton, all of Fairchild AFB, Washington: his daughter
Sandra (Enevoldsen) Wilkins and son-in-law Bruce Tabor Wilkins Sr. of
Ithaca, New York, grandson Bruce Tabor Wilkins Jr. of Cohoes, New
York, grandson Gregory Lang Wilkins of Brighton, Massachusetts, and
granddaughter Sheryl Wilkins of San Francisco, California: and his
sister, Fern Mae (Enevoldsen) Martin of Benkelman. Nebraska.
Memorial
services were conducted Friday, July 5, 1991, at 2 p.m. at Jones
Funeral Chapel in Benkelman with words of comfort from the Rev. Art
Phillips.
Honorees
were Elizabeth Speck, Ruth Pinkerton, Betty Pinkerton, Mearl Richard,
Bill Cline and Edgar and Hazel Powell.
Arrangements
were by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.
Andy's
cremated remains will be scattered east of Lovell in the Big Horn
Mountains in the same area where his wife's were scattered.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1996
Janice
L. (Nelson) Enfield
GOODLAND,
Kan.--Longtime Sherman County, Kan., resident Janice L. Enfield, 62,
died July 8, 1996, at her home in Goodland.
She
was born Jan. 21, 1934, in Dundy County, Neb., the daughter of Elmer
and Lottie (Fulk) Nelson.
She
attended Ash Grove Country School, graduated from Benkelman (Neb.)
High School and attended McCook (Neb.) Community College.
She
worked for a short time at a transistor factory in Ogallala, Neb. On
Aug. 8, 1954, she married Wilbur Enfield at the Methodist Church in
Benkelman.
She
was active in the Neville United Methodist Church and United
Methodist Women, later transferring her membership to the First
United Methodist Church in Goodland where she was active in the
choir. She was a member of Sunny Circle EHU and participated in
several Goodland Arts Council melodrama productions.
She
was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
She
is survived by two sons: Roger Enfield of Goodland and Larry Enfield
and his wife, Linda, of Goodland; two granddaughters: Lori and Lana
Enfield of Goodland; one sister: Betty Deyle of Benkelman; one
brother: Bernard Nelson and his wife, Sandra, of Benkelman; her
mother-in-law, Leona Pickett, of Benkelman, and several nieces and
nephews.
Funeral
services were held Friday, July 12, 1996, at 10:30 a.m. at the First
United Methodist Church in Goodland with the Rev. Carol Moore Ramey
officiating.
Burial
was in the Goodland Cemetery with Koons Funeral Home of Goodland in
charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1971
Charles
Westley (Larry) Enfield
Services
for Charles Westley (Larry) Enfield, 58, Route 3, Parma, Idaho, who
died of a heart attack Sunday morning, May 30th at his home, were
conducted at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 1st, at Dakan Chapel in Parma
by the Rev. William Dotson of the Missionary Baptist Church in Nyssa,
Oregon. Interment was in the Roswell, Idaho cemetery.
He
was the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Art Enfield, and was
born in McCook, Nebraska on March 17, 1913. He lived in Emmett, Idaho
for a number of years and married. Hazel Upshaw in 1946 in
Winnemucca, Nevada. They moved to Parma in 1948 and had lived there
since, working as a police officer.
Surviving
are his wife; a son, Dale Enfield of Reedsport, Oregon; five
daughters, Judy Nonnemacher of Mountain Home, Carlene Rowland of
Caldwell, Idaho; Patricia Hiatt of Nyssa, Oregon, Norma McIntosh of
San Jose, California a brother, Lloyd Enfield of Portland, Oregon;
two sisters, Ethel Parman of Benkelman, Nebraska and Pearl Martin of
Mesa, Arizona, 17 grandchildren and a great grandson.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1994
Lloyd
Eugene Enfield
CLACKAMAS,
Ore.--Lloyd Eugene Enfield was born to Oscar Lloyd and Lois (Ellis)
Enfield on February 1, 1932, at the farm home northwest of Benkelman,
Nebraska, and died March 30, 1994, at Clackamas, Oregon, at the age
of 62.
When
he was three years old, he moved with his parents to Montana to make
their home. He started to school there and loved school. It became a
challenge to learn.
At
the beginning of World War II, the family moved to Oregon, and a new
country and schools gave him more challenges. He finished grade
school and spent his high school years at Oregon City and Canyonville
Bible Academy High School.
He
loved the great outdoors and chose to go into timber and logging work
and spent many years in that line of work. He was employed by
McFarlane's Bark Inc. at the time of his death.
He
was preceded in death by his father and son, Lloyd Eugene Jr.
He
is survived by his wife, Ligia, whom he married in 1979; a daughter,
Lisa Jeanne Ashcroft; a grandson, Steven Lee Ashcroft; a
granddaughter, Erin Marie Ashcroft; his mother, Lois Enfield, of
Benkelman; two stepsons; two stepdaughters; several
step-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Services
were held Monday, April 4, at 2 p.m. at the Holman-Hankins-Bowker &
Waud mortuary in Oregon City with Pastor George Powell officiating.
Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery at Oregon City.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1972
Oscar
Lloyd Enfield
Oscar
Lloyd Enfield, a resident of this area for many years, passed away on
May 9th at a Portland, Oregon hospital at the age of seventy years.
He
had been born on November 12, 1901 at Sharon Springs, Kansas, the son
of Mabel Schanel and Arius Enfield.
He
was married to Lois Ellis at Holyoke, Colo., on September 5, 1928.
He
is survived by his wife, Lois, one son, Lloyd of Portland,
daughter-in-law, Arletta, and two grandchildren. Also surviving are
sisters, Mrs. Ethel Parman and Mrs. Pearl Martin of Mesa, Arizona.
He
is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bill and Charles,
a half-brother, and two sisters and two brothers who passed away in
infancy.
Funeral
services will be conducted in the Benkelman United Methodist Church
on Friday at 2:00 p.m., with the Rev. Allan Martin officiating.
Interment will be the Benkelman Cemetery.
(Researcher
note: Burial records for the Benkelman cemetery show a date of birth
as 11-12-1901 and a date of death as 5-9-1972.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1991
Wilbur
Glen (Chick) Enfield
GOODLAND,
Kan.--Retired Sherman County farmer Wilbur Glen (Chick) Enfield, 58,
died at his home in Goodland, Kansas, Monday, January 14, 1991.
Mr.
Enfield was born March 20, 1932, at Benkelman, Nebraska, the youngest
son of Leona (Thompson) and William Enfield.
He
grew up in the Benkelman and Haigler, Nebraska, area, later moving to
McDonald, Kansas, where he graduated from high school in 1949.
He
was married to Janice Nelson on August 8, 1954, at Benkelman. He
started farming
north
of Kanorado, Kansas, and later bought a farm north of Ruleton,
Kansas, where he farmed until his retirement. They moved to Goodland
in 1982. His hobbies included fishing and rebuilding and refinishing
antique furniture.
He
is survived by his wife of the home; his mother, Leona Pickett, of
Benkelman; two sons, Roger and Larry Enfield, both of Goodland; his
brothers, Bud Enfield of Kanorado and Leroy Enfield of McDonald; his
sisters, Alva Ellis of Denver, Colorado, Helen Ritthaller of
Moorcroft, Wyoming, and Bonnie Davis of California, and two
granddaughters.
He
was preceded in death by his father and one infant brother.
Mr.
Enfield was a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church.
Funeral
services were held Wednesday, January 16, at 2 p.m. at the First
United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tom Schneider officiating.
Burial was in the Goodland Cemetery with Koons Chapel of Goodland in
charge of the arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1947
William
Ensley
William
Ensley passed away at Rochester, Minnesota, on Monday evening where
he had been critically ill for more than a week with a blood
condition which brought about his demise. Funeral services will be
held on Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock at the Laughlin Mortuary.
Mr.
Ensley was taken to Rochester early last week by the Laughlin
ambulance where it was hoped that specialists could remove a blood
clot in his left leg which had cut off the flow of blood to his foot.
Amputation was considered logical as the only solution to the problem
but the Rochester specialists were forced to delay the operation for
several days due to the thickness of the blood. The amputation was
finally performed but the original cause of the trouble, the blood
condition, continued a factor in the case and another blood clot was
formed and led to his sudden demise.
Mr.
Ensley was seventy-five years of age and had spent the greater
portion of his life in Dundy county as the operator of a large farm
and ranch in the Rollwitz neighborhood. He extended his operations as
he won success in work and became quite an extensive land owner.
Several years ago failing health forced him to retire from active
work on the farm and he and his wife bought a Benkelman residential
property and made their home here. He had been under treatment for
several years for the disorder, which caused his death.
(Researcher
note: Benkelman cemetery records show a birth date of 12-7-1871 and a
death date of 2-27-1947.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, December 1993
Madge
M. (Bonner) Enterline
Madge
M. Enterline was born on July 23, 1915 at Imperial to Milton and Opel
(North) Bonner.
As
a young girl she grew up and attended school in Imperial, where she
graduated in 1933, and went on to attend business school in Hastings
for two years.
Madge
married Walter Perry Enterline on April 16, 1944 in Imperial and they
settled four miles north of Imperial. They moved to Missouri in 1953
and returned in 1973 to the Imperial area where Madge resided until
her death.
She
passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1993 at Chase County Hospital at age
78.
Madge
was a member of the Rebekah Lodge of Wauneta.
She
is survived by her husband Walter of Champion; son Ardell Enterline
of Champion; grandsons Phillip Jean Enterline and James Dean
Enterline; a sister Maxine Flaack of Lakewood, Colo.
She
was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and
Richard Bonner; and one son, Stirling.
Services
were held today (Thursday), Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Westside Church
of Christ in Imperial with Rev. David Rozelle officiating.
Interment
followed at Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Memorials
may be given in her memory and left at Liewer Funeral Home.
Liewer
Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1990
Elizabeth
Marie (Keene) Erdman
BENKELMAN--Elizabeth
Marie Erdman was born June 24, 1908, at St. Francis, Kansas, the
daughter of Frank Keene and Mildred (Brown) Keene.
At
an early age she moved with her parents to Dundy County and lived
north of Parks, Nebraska, attending rural school at District 36. In
1926, she was united in marriage with Wayne Stevens and two children
were born to them, Donna and Bobby. They lived in the Benkelman area.
In
June of 1947, she was united in marriage with Ernest Erdman. They
lived on a ranch north of Haigler, Nebraska, until 1954 when they
moved into Haigler. After her husband's death in 1954, she continued
to reside in Haigler until she entered the Hester Memorial Home in
April 1986.
She
had been in failing health since she entered the nursing home, and
died on September 17, 1990, at the age of 82 years, 2 months and 24
days.
She
was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amherst,
Colorado, in March 1953, and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of
Haigler at the time of her death. She was also a member of the
Haigler American Legion Auxiliary.
She
was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, who died in 1954; a
brother, Willard, and a sister, Maxine.
She
is survived by her daughter, Donna Sharp, of Hermiston, Oregon, and
her son, Bobby Merle Stevens.
She
is also survived by three stepsons, Paul Erdman of Benkelman and Earl
Erdman and Dean Erdman of Haigler, and one stepdaughter, Mae Wilkens,
of Osborne, Kansas.
Other
survivors include two brothers, Kenneth and Orval of Denver,
Colorado; two sisters, Joy of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Helen of
Grand Island, Nebraska, and a number of grandchildren,
great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Services
were held Wednesday, September 19, 1990, at 2 p.m. at Jones Funeral
Chapel in Benkelman with the Rev. Douglas Allen and the Rev. Gerald
Berggren officiating.
Betty
Erdman was organist, and Richard Bartholomew sang "One Day At A
Time" and "In The Garden" with guitar accompaniment.
Bearers
were Chris Pursley, Scott Olson, Mike Blecha, Robert Horton, Eddie
Burns and David Horton. Interment was in Benkelman Cemetery with
Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman in charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1994
Harold
L. Erdman
WRAY.
Colo. --Harold L. Erdman, youngest of 11 children born to August and
Marie (Buchhholz) Erdman at Plainview, Nebraska, on January 30, 1907,
died August 10, 1994, at the Renotta Nursing Home in Wray, Colorado,
at the age of 87.
The
family moved to Amherst. Colorado, where Erdman grew up and attended
school. Excelling in athletics. He was a barber in Amherst and in
Venango. Nebraska. until he joined the Army, serving during World War
II. After the sevice, he worked for a building supply firm in Denver,
Colorado, until he retired and moved to Wray in 1973. He enjoyed
playing golf and bowling.
Erdman
was baptized and confirmed at the Amherat Lutheran Church and was a
member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters, Anna Yeggy. Mary
Kreutz. Martha Claymon, Maye Gansmer and an infant, Isabel; five
brothers: Carl, William, August, Otto and Ernest.
Survivors
include three nephews: Paul Erdman and his wife, Betty, of Benkelman,
Nebraska, and Dean Erdman and his wife, Esther, and Earl Erdman and
his wife, Ilene. all of Haigler. Nebraska: a niece. Mae and her
husband. Art Wilkens. of Osborne. Kansas: numerous great and
great-great-nieces and a host of friends,
Services
were held Saturday. August 13, 1994, at 9:30 a.m. at the Calvary
Lutheran Church in Wray with the Rev. David W. Baker officiating.
Cleora
Fix was the organist and Jim Witte sang “Just A Closer Walk With
Thee” and “How Great Thou Art.” The congregational selection
was “Just As I Am.”
Bearers
were Richard Kollmorgen. Keith Haskell. Chuck Wilkens, Mike Blecha,
Scott Olson and Chris Pursley.
Interment
was In the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by Jones Funeral Home
al Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1972
Jacob
Erdman
Jacob
Erdman, son of Julius F. and Anna (Richter) Erdman, was born
September 7, 1894 in Benkelman, Nebraska. He passed away June 1, 1972
at the Fairfax Community Hospital in Fairfax, Mo., at the age of 77
years.
At
an early age he was baptized and in 1910 was confirmed into the
Lutheran Church at Benkelman, Nebr. He received his early education
in the Benkelman schools, after which he farmed with his parents.
In
March of 1912, he and his family moved to a farm south of Langdon,
Mo., where he continued farming with his father.
On
December 5, 1917 he was united in marriage to Friederreka Gebhards at
the Lutheran parsonage in Rock Port, Mo., by the Rev. J. N. Marxen.
They made their home on the Erdman farm south of Langdon where they
lived until January 1959. Upon his retirement they moved to Rock Port
where they have resided to the present time.
He
was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rock Port, Mo. and had
served on the Rock Creek Drainage District Board for a number of
years.
He
is survived by his wife, Reka, of the home; two daughters: Mrs.
Robert (Agnes) Tysor, Great Bend, Kansas and Mrs. Donald (Anna)
Rosenbohm of Langdon, Mo.; two sons: Ernie Erdman, Tarkio, Mo., and
Leo Erdman, Langdon, Mo.; four sisters: Mrs. Augusta Palm, Langdon,
Mo.; Mrs. Mary Poppa, Maryville, Mo., Mrs. Lester Horton, Nebraska
City, Nebr., and Mrs. George Schoonover, Rock Port, Mo.; three
brothers: Julius Erdman, Langdon, Mo., Fred Erdman and Carl Erdman,
both of Tarkio, Mo., twelve grandchildren and four great
grandchildren.
He
was preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.
Funeral
services were held at he Rock Port First Lutheran Church at Rock
Port, Missouri on Saturday with interment in the Hunter Cemetery at
Rock Port.
Printed in The Haigler News, Friday,
April 16, 1943
Mrs. ERNEST ERDMAN PASSES AWAY
Mrs. Ernest Erdman died at the Premer
hospital in Benkelman, Thursday, April 15th, at 3:30 A.M.
While it was known for some time that her condition was critical,
still the news of her death came as a shock to the community. Mrs.
Erdman numbered her friends by those who knew her, and many hearts
were saddened by news of her passing. She was a loyal member of the
Haigler Legion Auxiliary, and that organization will sorely miss her.
There will be a short service at the
Roach Funeral Home at 11:30 Monday morning, and a later service and
burial at Amhert, Colo.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1998
Alice
May (Bonar) Erdmann
Alice
May (Bonar) Erdmann was born on June 5, 1912, to Hiram and Lily May
(Dinnel) Boriar at Stockville, Neb.
On
March 13, 1929, at the age of 17 years, she was united in marriage to
Roy John Carl Erdmann at Stockville. Soon after, they moved to the
Albert Krausnick farm near Wauneta, Neb., and lived there until
moving to Benkelman, Neb., a short time before the flood of 1935.
She
worked hard her entire life and was always busy. Throughout the
years, she did housework for various families in Benkelman. She
worked in the yards at Shurtleff & Jones Sales Barn. She later
became a cook at the sale barn and at Pauline's Cafe. In the 1950s
she took meals to Mr. Stilgebouer, cleaned his room and helped him in
various ways. For about a year in the early '60s, she was the
personal attendant for Ida Belle Mann at the Hester Home in
Benkelman.
[
Following
Ms. Mann's death, Alice worked in the laundry room at the Morehouse
Hospital. She was an excellent housekeeper. It has been said that she
scrubbed her own floor every day, and when she came to visit you, she
wouldn't leave until she cleaned your house from one end to the
other. She loved her home and she loved her family.
In
the late '60s she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined the
Trinity Baptist Church.
In
1977, she moved to the Rainbow Fountain Park apartments where she
made her home for 20 years before moving to the El Dorado Manor in
Trenton, Neb. Throughout her life she enjoyed listening to the radio,
and in recent years especially enjoyed a McCook radio station.
Alice
was blessed with four daughters: Mildred Marie, Iona May, Dorothy May
and Doris Ileen.
On
Sept. 1, 1998, at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Alice
finished her work on this earth and passed from this world into the
life eternal.
She
was preceded in death by her parents, two infant brothers and two
daughters, Doris and Iona.
She
is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Dallas and Marge Bonar,
of Paonia, Colo.; a sister and brother-in-law, Velma and Lyle
Vreeland of Sioux City, Iowa; two daughters: Mildred and her husband,
James Heberlee, of Funk, Neb., and Dorothy and her husband, Raymond
Lawson, of Brush, Colo; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and
9 great-great-grandchildren.
Final
rites for Alice Erdmann were held at the Jones Funeral Chapel in
Benkelman on Friday, Sept. 4, 1998, with the Rev. Michael Davis
officiating. Betty Erdman was the organist and Marilyn Zarkowski sang
"Safe In The Arms Of Jesus" and "Beyond The Sunset.”
Bearers
were Jeremy and Zachary Redden, Josh and Joel Colman, Billy Jo, Bryan
and David Gray, Matthew Uhrich, Jason Nichols and Wilbur, Larry and
Tommy Steinbeck. Interment was in the Benkelman Cemetery with
arrangements by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1985
Roy
John Carl Erdmann
Roy
John Carl Erdmann was born August 22, 1898, to Carl and Hannah
(Boldt) Erdmann in Brown County, South Dakota.
He
was confirmed at the age of 14 at St. John's Lutheran Church of West
Hansen, South Dakota. As a young man he worked as a farm laborer.
He
was united in marriage to Alice Bonar on March 13, 1929. To this
union four daughters were born, Mildred, Iona, Dorothy and Doris. Roy
had various jobs, many of them involving his team of horses which
were his pride and joy. He gained a lot of friends in his employment
at Shurtleff and Jones Sale Barn.
Roy
had resided for a while at the Hester Home in Benkelman and the
Kinder Kare in Wauneta. The last nine years he lived at Sunset Manor
in Brush, Colorado.
Following
a lingering illness and cancer surgery in December, he passed away
March 8, 1985, at the age of :86 years, 6 months and 14 days.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, George and Earl:
two sisters, Amanda and Alma; a daughter, Doris Steinbeck; and a
great-grand: son, Ronnie Joe Davis.
He
leaves to mourn his passing his daughters, Mildred, and husband, Jim
Heberlee of Funk, Nebraska, Iona Redden of Brush, Colorado, and
Dorothy and husband, Raymond Lawson of Parks; his two sisters, Ramona
Washburn of Selah, Washington, and Flora Sombke and husband, Clarence
of Conde, South Dakota; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren;
three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He
will be missed by all who knew him.
Services
were held Tuesday, March 12, at the Jones Funeral Chapel of Benkelman
with Rev. Dave Dunham officiating.
Rev.
Dave and Terry Dunham sang musical selections, "Mansion Over the
Hilltop" and "Where the Soul Never Dies," accompanied
by Rev. Dunham, guitarist.
Bearers
were Terry Steinbeck, Richard Nichols, Gary Steinbeck, Raymond
Heberlee, Larry Redden, Doug Paul, Larry Kalman, Bryon Uhrick and
William Gray.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with arrangements by the Jones Funeral
Home of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1936
Clara
Jane (Kimsey) Erickson
Clara
Jane Kimsey was born on Indian Creek near Max, Nebraska, October 20,
1897 and passed away January 20, 1936. at her home in Denver,
Colorado, at the age of 38 years and 3 months.
She
was united in marriage to George 0. Erickson of Benkelman, Nebraska
in 1914. Their union was blessed with four children, three daughters
and one son. The first few years of their married life was spent at
both Max and Benkelman, Nebraska. In 1924 they moved to Denver,
Colorado, where she lived the remainder of her life.
Clara
was a devoted wife and mother, also a loving daughter and sister. She
has always enjoyed the best of health, was uncomplaining and cheerful
until her health began to fail about six months ago. She was a
faithful member of the Cameron Methodist church at Denver.
She
leaves to mourn her loss besides her husband, four children, Bernice,
Beryl, Betty and Robert; her father, J. W. Kimsey of Max, Nebraska;
five sisters, Josie Parsons of Palisade, Nebraska; Mayme Pitney, Max,
Nebraska; Nellie Brethouwer, Holyoke, Colorado, Pearl Rudisill,
Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Tilda Powell, Max, Nebraska: one
brother, George Kimsey of Denver, Colorado, and a host of other
relatives and friends.
Funeral
services were held in the Olinger mortuary parlors Thursday, January
23, and she was laid to rest in the Fairmont cemetery, Denver,
Colorado.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1959
Amanda
(Swanson) Erickson
Mrs.
Amanda Erickson, wife of the late Charles Erickson, well-known
builder of the Benkelman area, passed away on Wednesday morning at
the Good Samaritan Home in St. Francis, Kansas. She was 86 years of
age.
She
is survived by three sons, Axel of Benkelman, Carl of Scappoose,
Oregon, and George of Denver; and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Miller, of
Scappoose, Oregon.
(Researcher
note: Records show that both Amanda and Charles are buried in the
Benkelman cemetery. Amanda’s maiden name was Swanson; date of
birth was 3-7-1873 and date of death was 2-18-1959.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1976
Axel
Marinus Erickson
Axel
Marinus Erickson, son of Charles and Amanda Erickson was born
February 14, 1914 at Benkelman, Nebraska and passed away July 17,
1976 in Fort Morgan, Colorado.
He
was united in marriage to Frances Greene July 16, 1934 in Wray,
Colorado. They were the parents of four children. The children, who
with their mother, survive are: Glenn Erickson, Fort Morgan,
Colorado; Kay Miller, McDonald, Kansas; Wayne Erickson, Brush,
Colorado and Rick Erickson, Fort Morgan, Colorado. There are 13
grandchildren and one great grandchild. One sister survives, Ann
Miller of Scappoose, Oregon, several nieces and nephews.
Living
his early years in Benkelman, he, with his father, Charles Erickson,
built a lot of the early community. He was a carpenter up until
health reasons forced him to discontinue his work.
In
1966 he and his family moved to Fort Morgan, where his health
continued to fail.
He
was preceded in death by his parents: two brothers, George and Carl,
and two sisters, Gladys and Florence, and baby brother John.
Funeral
services were held at the Jones Funeral chapel in Benkelman at 10:30
a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 1976 with Donovan Merklin officiating. A duet
comprising Carol
Sanders
and Ernestine Hendrickson sang "Precious Lord Take Thy Hand,"
and "The Old Rugged Cross Makes A Difference," accompanied
by Betty Erdman on the organ. Casket bearers were Rick Erickson,
Glenn Erickson, Wayne Erickson, Paul Erickson, Loren Miller and Gail
Miller. Interment was in the Benkelman cemetery under the direction
of the Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1971
Carl
Willis Erickson
Funeral
services for Carl Willis Erickson were held Tuesday, June 8, 1971 at
the Congregational Church in Scappoose. Oregon., Mr. Erickson passed
away at. Bess Kaiser hospital in Portland on June 6th following an
extended illness.
A
son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Erickson, he was born in
Benkelman. Nebraska on October 20, 1906 and had lived in Scappoose
for the past 30 years.
He
had worked most of his adult life as a carpenter but had been a
school bus driver for the Scappoose School system for the past ten
years prior to his retirement in 1969.
Survivors
include: his widow, Bonnie M. Erickson, at home; one son, Spencer Lee
Erickson, Scappoose: two daughters, Mrs. Harlan Dolores Van Laer of
Scappoose. and Mrs. Kathleen Janet Thayer of Portland.
Also
surviving are five grandchildren, all of Scappoose; one sister. Mrs.
L. W. (Ann) Miller of Scappoose: and a brother, Axle of Fort Morgan.
Colorado.
Interment
was in Skyline Memorial Gardens. Portland.
Friends
who desire to do so may contribute to their favorite charity in his
memory, or donate to the Oregon Tuberculosis Society.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, July 1993
Everett
W. Erickson
FORT
COLLINS, Colo.--Everett W. Erickson was born January 17. 1916, in
Rock Island, Illinois, to Charles and Stella (Sjostrom) Erickson. He
died Thursday, July 8, 1993, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort
Collins, Colorado, at the age of 77.
On
June 13, 1943, he married Jane E. Thorburg at Duluth, Minnesota. To
this union five children were born.
Everett
taught high school in Elgin and Waubun, Minnesota.
He
was a Presbyterian pastor, serving at churches in Michigan, Kansas,
Missouri, Chicago, Illinois, Wray, Colorado, and Birmingham, Alabama,
before moving to Benkelman, Nebraska, where he served as pastor of
the United Presbyterian Church for three years before moving to Fort
Collins.
He
played several musical instruments and was a soloist. His hobbies
included photography, carpentry and handyman work. He built his own
boat and loved to camp. He also enjoyed bicycling.
When
able, he attended the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins.
Survivors
include his wife, Jane of Fort Collins; one son, Michael of
Birmingham; four daughters, Christine Piper of Littleton, Colorado,
Cathy Schelley of Laporte, Colorado, Janet Erickson of Birmingham and
Debbie Poindexter of Overland Park. Kansas; two brothers, Ralph of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Willis of Namibia, Africa; two
sisters, Ruth Johnson of Sherman Oaks, California, and Elinor Raymond
of Tulare, California, and 13 grandchildren.
A
funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 13, 1993, at the
First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins with interment in Grandview
Cemetery in Fort Collins.
Warren-Bohlender
Funeral Chapel of Fort Collins was in charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1967
George O. Erickson
Services
for George 0. Erickson, 71, of 1308 S. Harlan Street, Denver, were
held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601
S. Colorado Blvd. Burial was in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in
Denver.
Mr.
Erickson died on Saturday, March 18, after a long illness. He was
born May 31, 1895, in Colorado Springs, and educated in schools there
and in Nebraska. He moved to Denver from Benkelman, Nebr., in 1925
and entered the building contracting business. He was retired at the
time of his death.
He
married Miriam 0. Weaver in Denver in 1938. He was a member of the
Masonic Lodge.
Surviving,
in addition to his widow, are three daughters, Mrs. Bernice Brock,
Bronxville, N. Y., Mrs. Betty Bond, Kensington, Md., and Mrs. Beryl
Johnson, Denver; a son, Robert Lakewood, by a former marriage; a
sister, Mrs. L. W. Miller, Scappoose, Oregon; two brothers, Carl
Scappoose, and Axel, Fort Morgan. Colorado. and ten grandchildren.
Printed
in the McCook, NE Daily Gazette, ?? ????
Virgil
M. (Bud) Eskew
IMPERIAL
— Virgil M. (Bud) Eskew, age 71, died Sunday at his residence in
Lakewood, Colo.
Survivors
include his wife, :June of Lakewood; one daughter, Kathryn Eskew of
Arlington, Va.; and one sister, Ruby Petersen of Lincoln.
Services
will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the United Methodist Church of
Imperial with the Rev. Robert Call officiating. Interment will be in
the Mount Hope Cemetery of Imperial with committal by the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and Andrew Kinder Post 4688.
Memorials
have been established in his name and the Creveling Funeral Home of
Imperial is in charge of arrangements.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, September 1953
Dora
(Hamann) Evans
Mrs.
Dora Evans was born February 25, 1867, to Frederick and Elsie Hamann
in Schleswig, HoIstein, Germany, and departed this life at Wray,
Colo., September 16, 1953, at thee age of 86 years, 6 months and 22
days.
She
came to America with her parents at the age of six years. They
settled in Davenport, Iowa, \whSere she attended school and grew to
womanhood.
She
was baptized in the Lutheran church in infancy and at the age of 22
united with the Baptist church.
She
was united im marriage to Lindley Murray Evans on April ?, 1905, in
Lincoln„ Nebr. They immediately came to their Dundy county ranch to
make their home.
To
this union two children were born, Murray William of Haigler, Nebr.,
and Margaret Arlene of Greeley, Colo.
In
1913 they moved to Benkelman to be closer to school; then in 1920
they moved to Haigler where she resided until failing health made it
advisable to seek a home where she could have nurse's care. About
four years ago she went to live at the Parsons' Convalescent home in
Wray, Colo.
She
enjoyed life until the last months when she became bedridden. She was
a loving wife and mother and considerate in her relations with
others. She was the survivor of a family of six children.
Her
husband, Murray, preceded her in death, April 10, 1932. She is
survived by her son and wife ??, daughter sand husband, ?? Putnam of
Greeley, Colorado; seven grandchildren and a host of relatives and
friends..
Funeral
services were held on Saturday afternoon with Rev. Milton Scott
officiating.
Out-of-town
relatives attending funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Collier of
Durant, Iowa; Mrs. Robert Miniert and Mable ?? of Stockton, Iowa;
Mrs. Hamann and daughter Clara of Persia, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs.
Putnam and son Bill of Greeley, Colorado.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1973?
Edith
Florence (Kimsey) Evans
Mrs.
Edith Florence Evans died Wednesday, February 13 at Fairacres Manor
in Greeley, Colorado where she had made her home since April 5, 1971.
She was 85.
Born
at Benkelman Nebraska May 31, 1888, she was reared on a ranch and was
married to W. H. Huggans in 1903 in Benkelman. The marriage at the
family home was performed by her father, T. C. Kimsey, one of the
first justices of the peace after Nebraska became a state. She came
to Colorado in 1910 to settle on a homestead at Merino and later went
to San Francisco, California. Another move took her to Sacramento,
California, where she was married to William Evans in 1935. He died
in 1958. Mrs. Evans had resided in the Greeley area since 1964.
She
is survived by one son, Clarence Huggans of Greeley, eight
grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three
great-great-grandchildren. A son, Clinton Albert Huggans, preceded
his mother in death.
The
body lay in state at the Adamson Mortuary until noon, Monday.
Graveside services were held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley at
1:30 p.m.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 2007
Laveria
Alberta (Stute) Evans
Laveria
Alberta (Stute) Evans was born to Herman and Caroline Stute on her
parents' home place north of Haigler, Neb., on Dec. 7, 1912. She had
three brothers: Fred, Leroy and Alfred, and a sister, Lucille.
Laveria
attended country schools and Haigler High School. It was her dream to
go on to college and become a nurse, but after her father's death,
the family needed her at home. After her graduation from high school
in 1931, she worked at her uncle's dry goods store in Haigler. Then
she met the love of her life, Murray Evans. Married on Jan. 1, 1935,
they made their home on the ranch that Murray owned north of Haigler.
They lived there for the next 51 years until Murray's death in 1986.
Soon after his death, Laveria moved to Wray, Colo., where she
remained until her death on Jan. 13, 2007. Her parents and brothers
preceded her in death.
Laveria
and Murray were known for volunteering within the community. If you
needed her, she was there. She was instrumental in the founding of
the Haigler Cemetery District, the Cloverleaf Extension Club and The
Golden Inn. She was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church. As
Murray was on the school board for several years, she was extremely
involved with the Haigler School. For example, she petitioned for
months to get a funding initiative for hot school lunches on the
ballot. She was successful and it passed.
After
the children were grown, she and Murray enjoyed traveling. They went
to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Canada and throughout the lower 48. Their
most memorable trip was to the Rose Bowl Parade for their 50th
wedding anniversary. They also loved square dancing, journeying to
dances all over the tristate area.
She
is survived by a sister, Lucille Brunswig; a son, Stan Evans, and
daughter-in-law Ruth; and daughters Barbara Harris and son-in-law
Percy, and Connie Palmrose and son-in-law Bruce. There are nine
grandchildren: Brent Evans and wife Dawn of Haigler; Gary Evans of
Wray; Pam Deterding and husband Brent of Wray; Jay Evans and wife
Cody of Ft. Lupton, Colo.; Jeff Harris of Seattle, Wash.; Lynn Clark
and husband Ted of Aurora, Colo.; Scott Harris of Aurora; Sarah
Palmrose of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Clay Palmrose and wife Lacey of
Fayetteville, N.C. She counted 15 great-grandchildren, one
great-great-grandchild as well as numerous nieces and nephews among
her loved ones.
Services
were held Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at 10 a.m., at the Zion Lutheran
Church in Haigler with Pastor Chris Farmer officiating. Interment was
in the Haigler Cemetery. Arrangements were by the Spellman-Schmidt
Mortuary of Wray.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1982
Mildred
Lavon (Wilson) Evans
Mildred
Lavon Wilson Evans, daughter of Orrin and Belle Wilson, was born
April 16, 1916, at Benkelman.
She
passed away in Portland, Ore., on January 15, 1982, at the age of 65
years, 8 months and 29 days.
Funeral
services were conducted by Rev. Tom Tucker, pastor of the Montavilla
Methodist Church, on January 18, 1982, in the Sunrise Chapel of Gable
Funeral Home.
She
lived most of her lifetime in Benkelman, Neb., and St. Francis and
Bird City, Kan., where she raised her family of one daughter, Joyce,
and two sons, Sam and Ellwyn.
Five
years ago she moved to Kennewick, Wash., to live with her daughter.
Lavon's health was failing then.
After
the serious illness of her daughter, Joyce, Lavon was moved to
Portland, Ore., where she made her home with a sister, Maxine, and
husband, Fred. She lived with them until around two weeks before her
death.
Her
suffering was patiently endured.
She
will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She
is survived by one daughter, Joyce, and husband; two sons, Ellwyn and
Sam, and their wives; eight grandchildren; four sisters, Maxine
Frederick, and husband, Fred, Mary Jo Kernan of Portland, Ore., Donna
Haines and husband, Marvin, Doris
Edwards
and husband, Alvin, of Benkelman; one brother, Burdette, and wife,
Jackie, of Benkelman; another brother, Jack, and wife, Mae, of
Imperial; a number of nieces and nephews and many friends.
She
was preceded in death by her father, mother, four brothers and two
sisters.
Following
is a poem written by Sherry Long, a nurse who visited and cared for
her while she was at home:
This
is the day we knew would come,
My dear and beloved friend.
For
death is come with living,
The
beginning and the end.
How
you are loved and held
Dear
by all who knew you,
Our
lives are enriched with
The
glow of your passing through.
You touched each of us
In
a very special way
And
left a part of you death
Cannot
take away.
For
loving isn't something
That
is ever bought or sold,
It's
the reaching out in caring—
In
thoughts left untold.
How
valiantly you fought
To
keep death at bay,
You
lived and struggled
To
win each precious day.
Now
that painful battle has
At
last come to an end
And
I see you smiling down
Whole
and healed—Goodbye, dear friend.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1932
Lindley
Murray Evans
Dundy
county people and more especially those of the generation of pioneer
standing will sorrow to learn of the passing of Murray Evans at his
home in Haigler Monday afternoon. Funeral services were held at
Haigler Wednesday afternoon and interment was in the Haigler
cemetery.
In
early life, Mr. Evans was a school teacher in Iowa. He came to Dundy
county nearly forty years ago to file on a homestead in Thayer
precinct, and after he had secured his title to the land, returned to
Iowa to continue his school work. But he couldn't quite forget Dundy
county with its miles upon miles of open prairie and the thrill and
exuberance of pioneer life and so he decided to return to cast his
lot with Dundy county and her people.
He
added to his holdings and eventually became one of the leading
cattlemen and ranchmen of the county, remaining in the business until
a few years ago when he moved to Haigler which has since been his
home.
His
health had been failing for the past few years and about a month ago
his condition became acute and it was plain to those closest to him
that he could not long survive.
Mr.
Evans was esteemed and respected as a man of high Ideals and
commanded the respect of all who knew him and in his passing Dundy
county loses one of its best citizens.
(Researcher
note: Records show a date of birth as 8-14-1866 and a date of death
as 4-10-1932. Burial records show a first name of Lindley.)
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, May 1986
Murray
William Evans
Murray
William Evans was born to Lindley and Dora Evans on their ranch 23
miles northeast of Haigler, Nebraska, on October 5, 1908. He died on
May 24, 1986, at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado, at
the age of 77 years.
Murray
was united in marriage to Laveria Alberta Stute on January 1, 1935.
They settled on Murray's ranch 13 miles northeast of Haigler which
they operated until he was taken ill March 30, 1986.
Murray
served on school boards—rural, consolidated and regional; Rural
Fire Protection Board, ASCS board, the Haigler Cemetery board, and
was a director of Southwest Public Power District Board for 28 years.
He was active in the Haigler Golden Inn and the Tri-State Square
Dance Association. Although Murray was a lifetime resident of Dundy
County, his life philosophy of honesty and integrity has influenced
many in and out of his home county.
Preceded
in death by his parents, Murray is survived by his wife, Laveria;
sister, Margaret Putnam of Fort Collins, Colorado; son, Stan, and
wife, Ruth, of Wray, Colorado; daughters, Barbara, and husband,
Percy, of Parker, Colorado, and Connie, and husband, Bruce, of Wray,
Colorado; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and many
nieces and nephews.
Services
were held Thursday, May 29, 1986, at the Zion Lutheran Church in
Haigler, Nebraska, with Pastor Elliot Anderson officiating.
Kaye
Kamla, organist, accompanied Kelly Hayward, soloist, and quartet
ensemble, Cindy Haskell, Linda Morris, Deb Webster and Dana Webster,
with the selections "The 23rd Psalm," "Beautiful
Saviour" and "Amazing Grace."
Bearers
were Brent Evans, Brent Deterding, Gary Evans, Jeffrey Harris,
Mendall Clark, Jay Evans, Scott Harris and Clayton Palmrose.
Honorary
bearers were Herbert Dickson, Halsey Tuston, Victor Stasser, Joe
Blecha, Wayne McVey, Marvin Kamla, Steve Yost, Dale Faylor, Southwest
Public Power District Directors and Haigler Cemetery Board Members.
Interment
was in the Haigler Cemetery at Haigler, Nebraska, with arrangements
by Jones Funeral Home of Benkelman, Nebraska.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, June 1981
Lester
Leroy (Hap) Everitt
Lester
Leroy (Hap) Everitt was born Aug. 22, 1913 in Webb City, Mo. and died
June 14, 1981 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman.
He
was the son of Loney Edward and Mildred Klopp Everitt.
On
July 7, 1951, he was married to Alice Edna Britton at Raton, N.M.
He
came to Benkelman in 1976. His life's work included contracting and
truck driving.
Mr.
Everitt was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Survivors
include his wife, Alice E.; daughters, Becky Pursley of Benkelman and
Laura Rossen of Bloomfield, N.M.; sons, Michael of Fort Morgan, Colo.
and Russell of Wray, Colo.; one granddaughter and four
step-grandchildren.
He
is also survived by a sister, Florence Edmonds of Joplin, Mo., and a
brother, Robert of Joplin.
He
was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Orville.
Services
were held Wednesday, June 17, 1981 at 2:30 p.m. at Jones Funeral
Chapel in Benkelman with the Pastor Vernon Whetstone officiating.
Organist
was Eunice Richard who accompanied Gerald and Kelly Hayward with the
selections: "Why Me Lord" and "Amazing Grace".
Bearers
were Alva Shaw, Paul Ham, Robert Arnold, Merle Wallace, Max Guernsey
and Raymond Bowers.
Interment
was in the Benkelman Cemetery with committal service by Martin F.
Bowles Post No. 65.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 1925
Addie
Belle (Hamilton) Ewing
The
funeral services of Mrs. Ewing were held at the U. P. church Sunday
afternoon and interment was made in the Benkelman cemetery. Services
at the church were in charge of Rev J. C. Foster and Rev. W. S.
Porter and the Eastern Star Lodge ceremonies were used at the grave.
The building was packed to its very limit and yet, there was not
sufficient room for even the women, many of whom stood on the outside
and sought shelter fro, the weather in cars. Hundreds of men anxious
to pay their respects to the memory of a woman who stood high in the
public esteem, gathered in groups weathering the discomfort of a cold
north wind. It was one of the largest funerals held in Benkelman for
a long time and people were here from all sections of the county. The
floral tribute was beautiful and in a small way indicated the high
regard in which the deceased was held by her neighbors and those who
knew her best.
Mrs.
Ewing was a splendid woman She met every requirement of life She was
a wonderful mother, a kind, dutiful and faithful wife, a worthy and
trusted friend, a true Christian always leading and constantly
striving through word, deed and act to carry the principles of her
religion into the home, the lodge, the community and into the
individual life of all those with whom she came in contact. And she
left her influence for good whereever she labored. She leaves as a
monument to her family and loved ones the memory of a life spent
unselfishly for them, and an inspiration looking to the higher and
nobler life that will endure so long as they live. Not only does the
husband, children and loved ones grieve because of her passing. For
she was loved and esteemed by all who knew her and her kindly
influences will be missed in the community.
Addie
Belle Hamilton was born April 28th, 1869 in Clay County, Illinois,
died in Benkelman, Nebraska, March 4th, 1925, being 55 years, ten
months and six days of age.
In
the fall of 1886 she came with her parents to Dundy county, Nebraska,
where the family located on a homestead north of Parks.
After
teaching a few terms of school she was united in marriage to S. M.
Ewing on March 8, 1888. They lived on their farm near Parks until
1910 when they moved to Benkelman, where the family still resides.
Of
sorrowing relatives she leaves one aunt and many cousins in
Benkelman, her aged mother and one sister, Mrs. E. E. Owens of
Panoka, Canada, and of her own family, the faithful husband and
children, Mrs. May Nelson, Antioch, Ill., Mrs. Lenna Purdy,
Benkelman, Henry J. Ewing, Parks, Mrs. Ida Toler, Lincoln, Nebraska,
Mrs. Anna McEvoy of Benkelman, Sam Ewing, Jr., Pomona, California,
Florence, Gladys and Bobbie, who are all at home, and ten
grandchildren. One daughter, Mrs. Hattie Vanderhoof, having passed
away June 10th, 1924.
In
early life she became a member of the United Presbyterian church and
lived a good Christian life. She was a faithful and valued member of
the Order of Eastern Star, president of the W. C. T. U. and Ladies
Missionary Society. It can be truly said that she was interested in
all that was for the moral and spiritual welfare of the community.
She will be greatly missed in all these organizations, but more
especially will she be missed in the home, for she was a most noble
example of true, Christian motherhood.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, March 2008
Dorothy
Pauline (Smith) Ewing
Dorothy
Pauline Ewing passed away in Sacramento on March 2, 2008, at the age
of 99. Born December 15, 1908 to Cora Mabel and George Smith.
Preceded by her husband, Merle Allen Ewing; her daughters Marilyn and
Lois. She leaves her grandchildren Bill, Katherine, Kenneth, Michael,
Tom; granddaughter-in-law, Dee; her great-grandchildren Colleen,
Ella, Forest, Graham, Hannah, Helen, Jessica, Nathan and Paris;
great-great grandchild Kurt; and many dear friends.
A
native of Welcome, Minnesota, in her late teens, Dorothy's family
relocated to Benkelman, Nebraska. where she met and married her
husband of many years. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to
Sacramento. CA. where they started a family and built a home in Land
Park, where she planted many beautiful gardens.
Dorothy's
other loves included sewing and volunteering her time with many local
organizations. She was also a very astute bridge enthusiast, playing
weekly up through her mid-90's. She was also deeply involved with
Eastern Star, The Structerettes, and a long standing member of Christ
Unity Church in Sacramento.
She
will always be known for her kind words, thoughtfulness, caring,
strength and genteel qualities.
Family
and friends celebrated her life with a private service on March 7,
2008.
Arrangements
for the funeral were by George L. Klumpp Chapel of Flowers.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, February 1955
Charles
G. Ewing
Charles
G. Ewing, 61, passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Grand Island
Monday morning at 6:30 as a result of a series of heart attacks which
had plagued him all last week.
He
entered the VA hospital on Saturday afternoon.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, April 1946
Henry
Johnston Ewing
Henry,
the eldest son of Sam and Addie Ewing, was born at the farm home
north of Parks, Nebraska, on July 6, 1894 and died at San Fernando,
Calif. On April 3, 1946.
He
graduated from the Benkelman High School with the class of 1914. He
taught a rural school for one year and then attended school in
Lincoln, Nebraska for two years.
In
December 1917 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during
World War I as Second Mate on the mine sweeper, U.S.S. J. M. Guffy in
the North Sea. He returned to civilian life in August 1919.
He
was married to Alice M. Hester on Sept. 8, 1920 at Benkelman,
Nebraska. Alice grew up in Benkelman, her birthdate is February 19,
1895.
Having
decided on the banking field as a career, he served in various
capacities in banks at Parks and Benkelman, Nebraska and at Otis,
Colo. In 1927 he and his family moved to Riverside, California, and
he became affiliated with the Bank of America in Riverside for
sixteen years; he then transferred to the Bank of America at Corona,
California for the two years preceding his death.
He
was very active in the American Legion and civic affairs.
Tuberculosis caused his death.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, November 1979
Merle
A. Ewing
Merle
A. Ewing was born July 6, 1907, at Parks, Nebraska, and died at his
home in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 23, 1979, at age 72.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery in Sacramento.
Mr.
Ewing went to California in 1926 and for the next 14 years worked for
the California Division of Highways on bridge design and maintenance.
Altogether, he spent 37 years as a structural engineer with the
California State Office of Architecture. While in the State Office of
Architecture, Mr. Ewing was active in establishing building codes
standards, and he provided technical advice for legislation on
earthquake protection. He also supervised the checking of private
architects' plans for school buildings for structural safety. In 1965
Merle retired from the position of Chief Structural Engineer, and
head of the schoolhouse section of the California State Office of
Architecture.
Ewing
was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers; Structural
Engineers Association of California ; past president of the
Structural Engineers Association of Central California; Seismological
Society of America; California Association of Public School Business
Officials; and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. He also
belonged to the Free and Accepted Masons Union Lodge 58, and the Ben
Ali Temple of the Shrine in Sacramento. Mr. Ewing was a member of
Christ Unity Church, also in Sacramento.
He
is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his daughters, Marilyn Delaney of
Long Beach and Lois Detro of Sacramento; five grandchildren. He
leaves four sisters and one brother, Ida Toler, Ann McEvoy, Gladys
Borchert and Florence Ewing of Benkelman, Nebraska, and Robert L.
Ewing of Tempe, Arizona.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1965
Raymond
Lee Ewing
Funeral
services tor Raymond Lee Ewing were conducted on Monday, January 25,
at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Chapel in Deadwood, South Dakota. The Rev.
Harold T. Shay of St.. John's Episcopal Church officiated. Burial was
in the Black Hills National Cemetery, and military graveside rites
were conducted by the Black Hills Post 5969 VFW. Memorial has been
established for the VFW building project.
Ewing,
well-known Deadwood businessman and civic leader, died Friday night,
January 22, in St. Joseph's Hospital. He had been a patient the past
two weeks.
An
architectural engineer, Mr. Ewing retired 10 years ago.
He
was born June 30, 1889, at Champion, Nebraska, to Robert and Frances
Ewing. He was educated in Alliance, Nebraska, and Lead schools. Ewing
moved to Deadwood in 1900.
He
married the former Cathryn Ayer on November 24, 1920, in Rapid City.
He
was a veteran of World War I and had been employed by the Homestake
Mining Co. in Lead, the Lawrence county highway department and became
a member of Ewing-Albion Architects in Deadwood. Later he was sole
owner of the business.
Ewing
served as mayor of Deadwood for 14 years. He was a member of the
Engineer Production Board during World War II, was past president and
a director of the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, and an original
member and present director of the board of trustees of the Adams
Memorial Museum of Deadwood.
He
was a director of the Franklin Hotel Co., an original director of the
Days of '76, and had served as historical announcer of the show since
the early 1930's. He was past disaster chairman of the Lawrence
Chapter of the American Red Cross, a charter member of Deadwood
Rotary, a past commander of the American Legion Post and past
commander of Black Hills Post 5969, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Ewing
was past chaplain of the South Dakota Department of the VFW, past
chaplain of the Deadwood AF&AM, and the Lodge of Perfection,
Black Hills Consistory.
He
also served as Lawrence County Veterans Service Officer for a number
of years. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Surviving
are his widow; a brother, Frank, of Rapid City; and several nieces
and nephews, including Jeff Moye, Deadwood.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1942
Samuel
Mitchell Ewing
Death
came to Samuel M. Ewing at a local hospital on last Friday morning.
His death was not unexpected since he had been ill since Christmas
with a severe chest cold and cough which daily drew his strength and
weakened him. He was conscious almost up until the hour that death
called him.
Mr.
Ewing lived as useful a life as it was long. It was in 1885 that he
located on his homestead north of Parks and from that time until his
going he remained an influence for advancement and for good in Dundy
county. He was a man of more than ordinary mental capacity and much
of that advantage fell to the good of his community. He helped
organize the United Presbyterian church north of Parks and remained a
faithful member to the end. But his connection with that church did
not cover all because for seventy years he had been a supporter and
contributor to church work. Likewise he gave freely of his time and
talents to schools and other activities of a cultural nature. He was
of a tolerant disposition and could see the good in his fellow man
and to a very great degree overlook his shortcomings. He was of an
optimistic nature and much preferred to look for the brighter things
in life and to aid in making things brighter for those with whom he
labored and dwelt.
This
point was nicely brought to light in a telegram received from the
veteran Nebraska publisher and Congressman, Edgar Howard of Columbus,
Nebraska, upon receipt of a telegram sent him by Charley Ewing,
notifying Mr. Howard of Mr. Ewing's death, whereupon Mr. Howard sent
Charlie a telegram, as follows: ,
"Dear
Charley: In the death of your Uncle, Hon. Samuel Ewing, I have lost
almost a life-long friend. He was in many respects my mentor in the,
pioneer days. I love to remember his always kindness and his
unfailing loyalty to his espoused political and religious principles.
He was my ideal old-fashioned Virginia gentleman, an evangelist, and
always in behalf of the gospel of clean living. I cannot be with you
tomorrow at the funeral hour, but shall devoutly plead that the soul
of my loved and lost friend may find sweet peace in the paradise of
God.—Edgar Howard."
Funeral
services were held at the, United Presbyterian church Sunday
afternoon being conducted by Rev. J. C. Foster. Singers were Harry
and Elizabeth Ough, Mabel Lewis and Lloyd Boswell with Ann Benge at
the piano. Pallbearers were Reece Hardwick, George Hamburg, J. F.
Premer, Fred Pringle, George Kuhlman and Elmer Hester. Interment was
in the Benkelman cemetery.
There
were eleven children in the Ewing family, nine of whom survive, they
being Mrs. May Nelson, Honey Creek, Wis.; Lenna E. Purdy, Benkelman;
Henry J. Ewing, Riverside, Calif.; Ida Toler, Benkelman; Ann McEvoy,
Benkelman; Merle A.. Sacramento, Calif.; Florence, Washington. D. C.;
Gladys Borchert, Lincoln, and Robert L. of Durango, Colorado. All of
the children were present at the funeral save Mrs. Gladys Borchert
who was ill and unable to come to Benkelman. Other relatives present
at the funeral were Harry Vanderhoof and daughter Gladys of Denver,
and Mrs. M. R.. Sprout of Franklin, Nebraska, and Charlie Ewing of
Benkelman. Mrs. Sprout and Charlie Ewing are brother and sister and
niece and nephew of the deceased.
The
children who preceded their father in death were Hattie C. Vanderhoof
who died in 1924 and Sam W Ewing who died in 1931.
Samuel
Mitchell Ewing, son of William and Lydia Patterson Ewing was born in
Bedford county, Virginia, November 6, 1851. and departed this life at
Benkelman, Nebraska, on January 2, 1942, at the age of 90 years, 1
month, 27 days. Mr. Ewing was a direct descendant of Robert Ewing of
Londonderry, Ireland, who came to America and settled in Virginia,
about 1750. Mr. Ewing attained his early education at Blacksburg
Academy in Virginia. later graduating from Bryan and Stratton
Commercial and Banking School at Ewalt College, now a part of
Pittsburg University.
Early
in his life he became interested in public work, and through his many
years of activity, was constantly associated with some community
interests. He was awarded one of the earliest contracts for carrying
mail in Virginia, where he was also engaged in farming and as a civil
engineer. In 1883, he and his brother moved to Franklin county,
Nebraska, and two years later, moved to Dundy county where he filed
on his homestead north of Parks. On this land he lived and reared his
family, leaving it only when his advanced age made it impossible for
him to personally operate it. The old homestead was one of his most
prized possessions at the time of his death. He served his county and
community as councilman, school officer, County Commissioner, banker
and State Legislator. He enjoyed a large acquaintance among state
leaders and his opinion was often sought and followed.
Mr.
Ewing was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at Bradford,
Virginia, on October 23, 1882. He was one of the two surviving
charter members of Justice Lodge No. 180 at Benkelman, the only
charter member who retains his membership in his home lodge, which he
had served as treasurer for more than 30 years. He loved this Order,
its teachings were his gospel and there are few local Masons over 30
years of age who did not receive a part of their teachings from his
store of Masonic lore. As a tribute to his love and devotion to the
order, he was awarded the coveted Jordan Medal by the Grand Lodge of
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
On
March 8, 1888, he was united in marriage with Addie Belle Hamilton,
who preceded him in death on March 4, 1925. Of the eleven children
born to this union, nine are living, who, with his 21 grandchildren,
mourn his passing.
Probably
no man in Dundy county has been more active in public affairs over
the great number of years as had Mr. Ewing. The story of his life and
deeds has built a monument to his memory which will endure forever in
the hearts of his family and his friends.
Printed
in the Benkelman, NE Post,
Samuel
Mitchell Ewing
Born
in Bedford County, Virginia, November 6, 1851, Samuel Mitchell Ewing
has been a farmer and banker in Dundy County, Nebraska, since 1885.
His father, William Ewing. a farmer, was born in Bedford County,
Virginia, December 26, 1813, and died in Dundy County, May 9, 1896;
he was descended from Robert Ewing, who was born in 1715, in County
Londonderry, Ireland, and a grandson of Mitchell Ewing and Nancy
(Beard) Ewing. who moved to Bedford County.
His
mother, Lydia (Patterson) Ewing, whose ancestry was Scotch and Irish,
was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1825, and died
in Bedford. County, Virginia, December 29, 1860. She is a descendant
of James Patterson who was born in Ireland, in 1708, and settled in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1728.
Mr.
Ewing was graduated from the Bryan & Stratton Commercial and
Banking School at Ewalt College, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1873. He
homesteaded in Dundy County in 1885, and is still farming on the
original farm near Benkelman, Nebraska. A Democrat, he was an ardent
Al Smith supporter, has served in the Nebraska Legislature, 1917,
where he fought ardently for the rights of the West, has acted as
county commissioner for six years, 1892-1898, and was formerly a
councilman and school officer over a period of 19 years.
For
the past 50 years he has been a Master Mason, being a member of
Justice Lodge No. 180 at Benkelman. He has been active in the affairs
of this lodge of which he is now treasurer, having held this position
for the past 14 years. He is also treasurer of the Cemetery
Association. He is a member of the Nebraskana Society, and is
affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. His hobby is fish
propagation.
He
was united in marriage with Addie Belle Hamilton, in Dundy County,
March 8, 1888. Mrs. Ewing, who was a teacher, was born in Clay
County, Illinois, April 28, 1870, and died at Benkelman, Nebraska,
March 4, 1925. Her parents died in Canada. Of the eleven children
barn to them, nine are living: May, born May 22, 1889, who married
Charles 0. Nelson; Lenna, born January 11, 1892, who married Jess E.
Purdy; Henry, born July 6, 1894, who married Alice Hester; Ida, born
May 23, 1897, who married Clifford J. Toler; Harriet, born August 3.
1899, who died June 10, 1924; Ann, born July 30, 1902, who married
John McEvoy; Samuel, born November 22, 1904, who married Gladys
Piper, and who died May 1, 1931 ; Merle, born July 6, 1907, who
married Dorothy Smith; Florence, March 22, 1909; Gladys, born March
17, 1911; and Robert, born September 12, 1913. Residence: Benkelman.
(Photograph in Album).
|
