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Shelby County
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Obituaries 1950 - 1959
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------ 1959 ------

Kramer, Victor - 1934-1959

Victor Kramer Killed In Car-Truck Crash; 4 Hurt

A Defiance man was killed early Wednesday in a car-truck crash near Weston that also claimed the life of a young Omaha woman. Two other Shelby county persons were injured in the accident.

Victor E. Kramer, 24, son of Mrs. Frank Kramer, Sr., Defiance, was killed when the car he was driving collided with a stock truck on Highway 64. Miss Janice L. Oliphant, 19, Omaha, was also killed.

Mary Alice Kramer, 21, sister of the driver, was listed in fair condition Wednesday at Mercy hospital, Council Bluffs with head injuries. Francis A. Wageman, 25, Westphalia, a passenger in the Kramer car, was treated for a cut hand and released.

Two other passengers in the Kramer car were also injured. They are Eunice Heithoff, 28, released after treatment for a leg injury, and Carla Anderson, 20, listed in good condition with abrasions of both legs. They are from Omaha.

The driver of the truck, Terry Dean Jorgensen, Elk Horn, was not injured. Seven cattle escaped from the stock truck when it overturned.

Highway Patrolman Virgil Elmore said the group was enroute back to Omaha about 1:10 a.m. when the accident occured. They had attended a St. Patrick's day dance at Neola Tuesday evening. Elmore said the car came over a small bridge and apparently went out of control. It struck the left fender of the truck and careened into the side of the truck.

Kramer was employed in Omaha. He was a graduate of St. Paul's school at Defiance in 1953 and had served two years in the Marine Corps.

Survivors in addition to his mother and injured sister include six other sisters and three brothers. They are: Mrs. Dale (Irene) Friesen, Council Bluffs; Mrs. Leo (Lillian) Schaben, Earling; Mrs. Rita Klocke, Cascade; Mrs. Tom (Teresa) Grote and Mrs. Bill (Dolores) Fuhs, both of Portsmouth; and Mrs. Joe (Leona) Bissen, Dunlap; Frank, Jr., Chandler, Arizona; Jerry, of Marne; and Norbert, of Omaha.

Funeral services for Kramer will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Peter's church in Defiance. Burial will be at St. Peter's cemetery there.

------ 1958 ------

Boardman, John - (1872 - 1958)

Harlan Tribune (Harlan, Iowa) > 1958 > August > 8
Life Story of JOHN BOARDMAN, 85

John Wesley Boardman was born to Sarah Jane Hatherly and Joseph Boardman September 23, 1872, in Burcan[?] county, Ill., and died in the Myrtue Memorial hospital in Harlan, Ia., July 29, 1958, at the age of 85 years.

He attended country school and business school in Omaha, Nebr.

March 20, 1802[sic], he was united in marriage to Henrietta Stewart of Portsmouth and to this union five children were born.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Harold Plumb (Charlotte) of Harlan, three sons: Howard of Chicago, Ill.; and David and Jesse of Portsmouth, one brother, Benjamin, of Cedar Falls, Ia., and ten grandchildren. His wife and one son, Eugene, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 1, 1958, at the Pauley Funeral Home with Rev. Dwight C. Bonham officiating.

Burial was in the Shelby cemetery.

Pallbearers were: Hugo Boeck, Iliff Peterson, John Rasmussen, Ernest Schnack, Warren McGee and Scott Evans.



Hansen, Nels (1885 - 1958)

Life Story of NELS HANSEN, 72

Funeral services for Nels L. Hansen of Van Nuys Calif., were held Monday, July 21, 1958, at the Peace Evangelical and Reformed church in Walnut, with Rev. Ted Ficker officiating. He died Wednesday, July 16, 1958 at the home of a daughter in La Crescenta, Calif., at the age of 72 years, 9 months and 25 days.

Nels Hansen was born September 21, 1885, in Denmark, and came to the United States in 1909 and settled in Shelby county.

September 25, 1919 he was married to Christine Kjeldsen of Minneapolis Minn., and to this union five children were born. One son Harold of Van Nuys, Calif., four daughters, Mrs. Lawrence Kuhr (Dagny) of Walnut, Mrs. Joe Walnuts (Evelyn) of La Crescenta, Calif., Mrs. Edna Flood and Mrs. Chester (Alice) Kondrack both of Sherman Oaks Calif. Eleven grandchildren also survive.

Pallbearers were: Francis Andersen, Arnold Lebeck, Aage Knuth, George Clausen (n) Hugo Petersen and Ona Clough.

Burial was in the Walnut cemetery.



Kramer, Frank  (1890-1958)

LIFE STORY OF -
FRANK KRAMER, 67

Frank Joseph Kramer was born to Mary Book and Joseph Kramer at Earling, Iowa, May 28, 1890, and died at his home in Defiance, Iowa, Saturday May 3, 1958, from a heart attack at the age of 67 years, 11 months and five days.

He attended school in Earling, and was a member of the Roman Catholic church all his life.

September 12, 1916, he was united in marriage to Cecelia Schechinger at Westphalia, Iowa, and to this union seventeen children were born.

He spent his life farming in the Shelby county vicinity, and in 1957 they moved to Defiance. He belonged to the Holy Name Society of Defiance and was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia, seven daughters and four sons: Mrs. Dale Friesen (Irene) of Council Bluffs, Frank, Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., Mrs. Leo Schaben (Lillian) of Earling, Mrs. Verdy Klocke (Rita) of Cascade, Ia., Gerald of Marne, Mrs. Tom Grote (Theresa) of Portsmouth, Mrs. Bill Fuhs (Dolores) of Portsmouth, Mrs. Joe Bissen (Leona) of Dunlap, Emil and Norbert of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Mary Alice of Omaha, Nebr.; three brothers: Joe and Carl of Earling and William of Sioux City; three sisters: Mrs. Henry Schmitz (Mary) of Westphalia, Mrs. Nick Muell (Clara) of Missouri Valley and Mathilda of Earling; 37 grandchildren. Six children, Cecelia, Raymond, James, Lawrence, Anthony and Patricia, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 6, 1958, at St. Peter's church in Defiance, with Rev. P. J. McStay, officiating, assisted by Rev. John Cunningham and Msgr. Michael Schiltz of Panama.

Burial was in St. Peter's cemetery at Defiance.

Pallbearers were nephews: Leo Kramer, Elmer Muell, Mark Kramer, Francis Wageman, Leo Henkelman and LeRoy Schmitz.



------ 1956 ------

Wetzel, Andrew Franklin (1887 - 1956)

Andrew Franklin Wetzel

Andrew Franklin Wetzel, son of Oswald H. and Anna Eigler Wetzel, was born September 2, 1887 in Shelby County, Iowa. After having been in failing health the past few years, he passed away at his home in Bayard on September 27, 1956 at 69 years, and 25 days. Services were held at the Methodist Church in Bayard with burial at the Highland Cemetery.

He attended school and grew to manhood in Shelby County, Iowa. On February 19, 1913 he was united in marriage to Inga Elizabeth Johnson of Shelby County. To this union nine children were born. They resided in Shelby County, until 1941 when he, along with his family, purchased a farm in Guthrie County and moved to it. In 1946 he retired and bought a home in Bayard where he and his wife were living at the time of his death.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Lorene Faye who died in infancy, three brothers: Louis of Manilla, Elmer of Tribune, KS and Ralph of Guthrie Center and one sister Hattie of Manilla.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, five sons: Kenneth and Albert of Bayard, Harold of Sewel, Lyle of Guthrie Center and Ivan of Kirkman; three daughters: Ruby (Mrs. Donald Jensen) of Bloomfield; Thelma (Mrs. Allyn Erb) of Manning; Ilo (Mrs. Wayne Miller) of Jamaica; four brothers: Watler of Tribune, KS; Harry of Kirkman; Lee of Manning; and Oscar of Manilla; four sisters; Mary (Mrs Fred Davis) of Bayard; Theresa (Mrs. Robert Scott) of Buck Grove; Mable (Mrs. Florence Kleymann) of Tribune, KS and Anna (Mrs. John Hemminger) of Harlan. Twenty-three grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews and many friends.

------ 1955 ------

Blum, Sophia G. (1890 - 1955)

Life Story of Mrs. Nick Blum, 65

Funeral services for Mrs. Sophia G. Blum were held at St. Joseph's church at Earline on Friday morning, July 8, with Rev. J. C. Doherty celebrating the Requiem High Mass at 9:00 a.m. Burial was in the Earling cemetery.


Sophia Leenan, daughter of Henry and Theresa Leenan, was born March 29, 1890 at Portsmouth, Iowa. She passed away at the Saunders Rest Home in Denison, at 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the age of 65 years, 4 months and 7 days, following a lingering illness, having received the last rites of the Catholic Church.


She received her schooling at Westphalia. On May 5, 1909, she was united in marriage to Nicholas Blum, at St. Joseph's church, Earling, Iowa. After residing here they moved to Washington Township in Crawford county.


This union was blessed with seven children, two dying in infancy.


She is survived by one daughter, Devota (Mrs Oren Mathys), four sons, Lloyd of Arion, Cecil J. of Kirkman, Zeno of Earling and Robert of the Navy, fourteen grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.


Her husband preceded her in death on August 4, 1944. A son, Zeno Henry, passed away at the age of 6 months and a daughter, Donna Marie, at the age of 4 months.


She is also survived by one brother, Mrs. Wendal Leenan of Walnut, and four sisters, Mrs. Lena Blum of Earling, Mrs. Margaret Fahn of Panama, Mrs. Theresa Monahan of Harlan and Mrs. Anna Glawikski of Dunlap.
Acting as pallbearers were Cyril Monahan, Jack Ebert, Isadore Schwarte, Joe Dotzler, Joe Gross and Jake Erlbacher.


With grateful hearts we express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Reverend J.C. Doherty, Reverend Msgr P.A. Bissen, Reverend Gannon, also Mrs. Saunders, her stall, and our relatives, friends and neighbors for all the many spiritual bouquets, floral offerings, thoughtful courtesies and kind acts extended at the time of our beloved mother's death


Mr. And Mrs. Oren Bathys and family of Dunlap
Mr. And Mrs. Lloyd Blum and family of Arion
Mr. And Mrs. Cecil J. Blum and family of Kirkman
Mr. And Mrs. Zeno Blum and family of Earling
Mr. And Mrs. Robert Blum U.S. Navy



Jurschak, Mary M. (Mrs. Peter) 1884-1955

the Harlan, Iowa News-Advertiser March 15, 1955
Mrs. Peter Jurschak Rites At Portsmouth

Last rites for Mrs. Peter Jurschak, Sr., 70, of Portsmouth, who died at Myrtue Memorial Hospital Saturday afternoon, are being held at 9 a.m. today (Tuesday) at Our Lady of Fatima church in Portsmouth. The Rev. N. A. Gaul officiated and Pauley's funeral home was in charge. Surviving are her husband, four daughters, three sons, and several grandchildren.

Burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery at Portsmouth.

(Mary Margaret Fuhs Jurschak __ Dec. 1884 - 12 Mar. 1955)

------ 1954 ------

Nissen, John (1867-1954)

John Nissen, 87, of 508 North Oak Street in Creston, died at 5:10 a.m. this morning (27 Jul 1954) at the home of a son, John E. Nissen, north of Cromwell.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Coens Home for Funerals with Rev. R. M. Wendell of the Congregational church at Cromwell officiating. Burial will be in the Cromwell cemetery. The body is at Coens Home for Funerals and will lie in state until time for services.

Born June 14, 1867 at Schleswig, Germany, he was the son of John and Lena Nissen. He was married Dec. 2, 1895 to Esther Martinsen, who died last year. A farmer most of his life, he retired from a farm east of Creston in 1945 and moved to town.

Surviving are three sons, Peter of Afton, John of Cromwell, and Warren of Creston; one brother; Charles Nissen of Afton, and two sisters, Minnie Broderson and Hattie Martinson, both of Harlan.

Submitters note: He was the son of John Nissen and Lena Jacobsen, and resided in Shelby County in his youth.

------ 1953 ------

Nissen, Esther Martinsen (1879-1953)

Mrs. John Nissen, 73, died at the Greater Community hospital here (Creston, IA) at 3:50 a.m. today (23 Jan 1953) after a three-year illness. Mrs. Nissen had lived in Creston since 1945 and previously had lived on a farm southeast of Creston.

Funeral services will be held at the Congregational church at Cromwell at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Rev. V. R. Willey will officiate. Burial will be in the Cromwell cemetery. Her body is at the Coen Funeral Home here.

Esther Martinson was born at Harland, Ia., Feb. 7, 1879. She was the daughter of Peter and Mary Mortenson Martinson. She was married at Harlan, Dec. 2, 1896, to John Nissen, who survives her.

Also surviving are three sons, Peter Nissen of Afton and John Nissen and Warren Nissen, both of Cromwell; and two brothers, Sam Nissen, Plainview, Nebr., and William Nissen, Denver, Colo.

Submitter's note: Although her brothers are listed as having the surname Nissen in her obituary, this is probably a typographical error and their surname is Martinsen / Martinson.



------ 1952 ------

Young, William Marshall - d.1952

Nishna Valley--William Young, son of William and Mary (nee MARSHALL) YOUNG, was born June 2, 1857 at Canonsburg, Washington County, Penn., and died at Denison, Iowa at the age of 94 years.

He came to Shelby County in 1870 with his parents, three brothers and four sisters and lived here continuously until October 1949 when he moved to Denison to make his home with his daughter. He was married Dec. 16, 1881 to Charlotte L. HANNON who died in April, 1928. They had nine children, six of whom survive him, Melvin of Lafayette, Colo., Fred of Washington, D.C., William of Omaha, Kate (Mrs. E.J. Hulsebus) of Denison, Ella (Mrs. Rudy Hulsebus) of Defiance, and Burns of Denver, Colo.

Three sons, Earl, Lee and Harry are dead. He is also survived by one brother, Wilson YOUNG of Los Angeles, Calif.

Mr. YOUNG farmed near Kirkman for a few years. He moved to Defiance and ran a grain elevator for 22 years. Later he became postmaster at Defiance and he served in this capacity for 25 years, retiring in 1935.

Besides his children he leaves 22 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, several nieces and nephews. Services were held from the Defiance Evangelical United Brethern Church, Sunday, Jan. 6, with the Rev. Robert O. Dragoo officiating.

From The Denison Review, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1952

------ 1952 ------

Young, William Marshall - d.1952

Nishna Valley--William Young, son of William and Mary (nee MARSHALL) YOUNG, was born June 2, 1857 at Canonsburg, Washington County, Penn., and died at Denison, Iowa at the age of 94 years.

He came to Shelby County in 1870 with his parents, three brothers and four sisters and lived here continuously until October 1949 when he moved to Denison to make his home with his daughter. He was married Dec. 16, 1881 to Charlotte L. HANNON who died in April, 1928. They had nine children, six of whom survive him, Melvin of Lafayette, Colo., Fred of Washington, D.C., William of Omaha, Kate (Mrs. E.J. Hulsebus) of Denison, Ella (Mrs. Rudy Hulsebus) of Defiance, and Burns of Denver, Colo.

Three sons, Earl, Lee and Harry are dead. He is also survived by one brother, Wilson YOUNG of Los Angeles, Calif.

Mr. YOUNG farmed near Kirkman for a few years. He moved to Defiance and ran a grain elevator for 22 years. Later he became postmaster at Defiance and he served in this capacity for 25 years, retiring in 1935.

Besides his children he leaves 22 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, several nieces and nephews. Services were held from the Defiance Evangelical United Brethern Church, Sunday, Jan. 6, with the Rev. Robert O. Dragoo officiating.

From The Denison Review, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1952