Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, August 1968

Helen M. (Gardner) Queen

Helen M. (Gardner) Queen was born on December 21, 1901, to W. A. and Florence Gardner at their farm home north of Max, Nebr. She passed away at the hospital in St. Francis, Kansas, on July 30, 1968, at the age of 66 years, eight months and nine days.

She attended public school in Max and her high school days were spent in Benkelman. She loved poetry, and her interest in plays and musicals was of most importance. She was on the girls' basketball team that won the championship in her senior year of school.

Her early religious life started at the age of nine, with her membership in the Methodist Church at Max. In later years she spent much devoted time to the South Fork Friends Church, where she served on the Board, and for many years acted as recorder for the Quarterly Meetings of the district.

In 1921 she was married to Ralph L. Queen of St. Francis. They made their home mainly in the South Fork community. She worked diligently for the progress of her church and community, having served in the many offices in Sunday School and as teacher of the adult class, in church, in all the clubs of her community. Her untiring interest in the history of their Extension Unit was of great pride, as she laboriously kept a scrapbook of the club's activities and ribbons won at the fairs. Many years were devoted as a 4-H leader, having organized the Sunflower 4-H Club, one of the first clubs in the county, spending tireless hours in the development of the youth of her community.

To this happy union three children were born, Barbara, Wayne and Dale. In 1964 they retired to a new home in St. Francis where her yard, friends and hobbies were of much joy and comfort.

She had written items for the St. Francis Herald for years; even when illness came it was done before other things. She was a member of Doric Chapter of 0.E.S., 404, her community clubs, and county activities.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a brother, Frank; two sisters, Jessie Lemon and Lena Rife; her husband, Ralph, who departed this life just seven months ago to the day.

She leaves to mourn her daughter, Barbara and her husband Noble Dorsch of St. Francis; sons, Wayne and wife Dolores of Burlington, Colo., and Dale and wife Sylvia of St. Francis; grandchildren, Sondra and Rodney Bracelin, St. Francis, Bob Dorsch of the Air Force stationed in New Jersey, Gary and Anita Queen of Burlington, Colo., Marlin Queen of St. Francis; brothers, Richard of Max, Raphael of Cambridge, Nebr.; sisters, Lily Freemyer of Greeley, Colo.. Florence Jones of Pasadena, Calif.; a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in St. Francis on Thursday, August 1. Wm. Leach and Rev. John Bartlett officiated at the service. Casket bearers were Norman Mears, Cecil Holliman, Brice Murphy, Melvin Carman, Ward Harvey and James Barnhart. Interment was in the St. Francis Cemetery under the direction of the Riddell Funeral Home.

Printed in the Benkelman, NE Post, January 1068

Ralph L. Queen

Ralph L. Queen was born June 21, 1900, to Lee F. and Emma E. (Patton) Queen in Decatur County, Kansas, and succumbed to a heart attack December 30,1967, at the age of 67 years. six months and nine days.

At the age of seven, he moved with his parents to the homestead in the South Fork community. On October 12, 1921, he was married to Helen M. Gardner of Max, Nebr. Their married life was spent in the South Fork community where they were active in church and civic affairs. To this union were born three children, Barbara, Wayne and Dale.

In 1964. he and his wife built a new home and retired in St. Francis, having spent his mature years in the agricultural field.

Ralph was active in Farm Bureau for twenty or more years. In 1951 he received the Master Farmer award and won a trip to Washington. D. C.

A loyal member of the South Fork Friends Church, he was active as a member of the church board, Sunday School superintendent, adult teacher, and enjoyed playing hymns on his violin for worship services. As chairman for the 1967 CROP drive, he directed it in a most successful year.

In 1944 be became a member of Masonic Lodge Number 404. AF&AM, St. Francis, in which he was a present officer. He was also a member of Doric Chapter No. 404. O.E.S.

He was a devoted husband and father and his grandchildren were the joy of his life.

He was preceded in death by his father in November of 1920, his mother in September, 1966. He leaves to mourn his wife Helen; his sons, Wayne of Burlington, Colorado, Dale, and his daughter Barbara Dorsch of St. Francis, and their companions; grandchildren. Sondra and Rodney Bracelin, Bob Dorsch, St. Francis, now serving in the Air Force in New Jersey, Gary and Anita Queen, Burlington. Marlin Queen of St. Francis: a brother. Leslie, of Pueblo, Colo.: sister. Esther Daum, of Bethune. Colorado; a step-father, Lee Boothby, of Lyons, Colorado; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends attending the funeral services from a distance were Bob Dorsch, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; Mrs Florence Jones, Pasadena, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Dale; Hayes, Denver, Colo.; Mr. and , Mrs. Leslie Queen, Pueblo, Colorado; Mrs. Esther Daum, Bethune. Colo.; Dave Leach. Scott City, Kansas; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Freemyer, Greeley. Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Freemyer, Greeley, Colo.;

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Freemyer of Briggledale. Colo.; Mrs. Ruth Millenberger, Fort Morgan; Mrs. Rose Nusbaum, Ault. Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Gardner of Cambridge: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gardner, Max, Nebr.; Kenneth Gardner, Max, Nebr.,

Mr and Mrs. Dan Rife and Tom Rife of Stratton. Nebr ; Mr. and Mrs Cecil Mosier. Benkelman, Wesley Mosier. Benkelman; Mr and Mrs. Russell Sawyer, Stratton. Colo.: Mr and Mrs. Neal Dorsch, Flagler, Colorado; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Patton, Brewster, Kansas. — St. Francis (Kans.) Herald

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