U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentElaine V. Jenkins
Elaine V. Jenkins, 83, formerly of Wallace, died on Feb. 2, 1999, in Montrose, Colo.
She was born on June 24, 1916, to Richard and Adrianne Walker in Farnam.
On May 22, 1936, she married Francis Jenkins. The couple and their son, Jay, along with her aunt and uncle, Marion and Charles Fulk, moved to Granby, Colo., and started the Granby Trading Post.
During her years in Granby, Mrs. Jenkins was active in civic affairs and church work. She was a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce.
She and her husband loved to travel and visit new places. She was one of the original founding members of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and worked hard to get a new church built.
The couple lived in Granby until 1989, when they retired to Lake Havasu, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1992. She remained in Lake Havasu until December of 1998, when she moved to Montrose, Colo., to be near her family.
Survivors include a son, Jay (Thelma) of Montrose; three grandchildren, Scott (Mary) Jenkins of Corning, Calif., Paula (Jason) Swenson of Gunnison, Colo., and Tim Jenkins of Granby; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were Feb. 6, 1999, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Granby. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Source: The North Platte Telegraph, March 13, 1999.
Margaret Maria Johnson
Margaret Maria Clemens, daughter of Joseph and Mary Clemens, was born in Perry township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, on August 20, 1859. She was married to Millard S. Johnson, June 28, 1877. Had they lived, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. To this union were born seven children: Mary Messersmith, Farnam; George, Stockville; Susanna Lydic, Glendale, Arizona; Charles, Farnam; Philip, Farnam; Rosie Burton, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Pearl Harrison, Phillips, Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved from Pennsylvania to Missouri, then later, to Frontier County, Nebraska in 1890, where they resided on a farm. In 1915, they moved to Farnam, then in 1921, to Peoria, Arizona, where they made their home until Mr. Johnson’s death in January, 1937. At that time Mrs. Johnson returned to Nebraska. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T. H. Messersmith, April 7, 1937, at the age of 77 years, 7 months, and 18 days.
While living near Orafino, Nebraska, Mrs. Johnson was united with the Evangelical Church. She was active in church work while she lived in Farnam. She was a good neighbor, and a loving wife, mother, and , grandmother. Her assistance at the bedside of the sick and afflicted will always be remembered with deepest appreciation. She was very patient during her own last lingering illness.
Those surviving are her seven children, one brother, John Clemens of Indiana, 24 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews, and many friends. Her husband, several brothers and sisters and two grandchildren preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church Saturday afternoon, with Rev. L. H. Messersmith in charge. The pall bearers were six grandsons: Emry and Orvis Messersmith, Millard, Irvin, C1arence, and Raymond Johnson. A mixed quartet, Mrs. Merton Parker, Mrs. Lynn Crossgrove, Mr. David Banks, and Mr. Vern Todd sang the same songs that were sung at Mr. Johnson’s funeral a few weeks ago.
Velma Elsie Johnson
Velma Elsie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hand, was born Saturday 10, 1912, at Moorefield, Nebraska and passed away at the Lexington hospital Feb. 27, 1951, at the age of 39 years, one month and seventeen days.
Velma graduated from the Moorefield High School with the class of 1930. She was united in marriage to Irvin C. Johnson, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson at Stockville, Nebraska, April 14, 1932 at North Platte, Nebraska.
To this union five children were born. She is survived by her husband; three daughters and two sons, Ro Jean Crawford of Moorefield, Roberta, Merle, Wayne and Jeannette all at home; her parents; one brother, Vaughn Hand of Moorefield; and one foster brother, Carlos Hoyt of Gering, Nebr.
Also a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted from the Methodist Church in Farnam, Nebr, Friday, March 2, 1951 at 2 P.M. Elder E. E. Giesler of Moorefield, conducted the services. The singers were Mr. Earl Hess, Mrs. Earl Hess, Mrs. Hugo Blomquist, and Mr. Dale Montgomery. Mrs. Jay Rice accompanied them.
Pall Bearers were Ray Donner, Paul Hess, Jim Speck, Lyle Wollam, Richard Trauernight, and Louis Messersmith. The casket was not opened after the service, and Velma was laid to rest in the Farnam cemetery.
Dig a big hole in your garden of thoughts, into it put all your disillusions, disappointments, regrets, sorrows, troubles, doubts, and fears and forget. Cover well with the earth of fruitfulness. Water it from the well of content. Sow on top the seed of hope, courage, strength, patience, and love. Then when the time of gathering comes, may your harvest be a rich and fruitful one.
Minnette Houdesheldt
Minnette Houdesheldt, former farm and ranch editor at The Telegraph, died Nov. 9, 1998, at her home in Lincoln. She was 61.
She was born Oct. 31, 1937, at Hebron to Nelson and Earline Walters Taylor. She graduated from Farnam High School in 1955 and graduated in 1959 with a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
On Oct. 21, 1960, she married Bob Houdesheldt at Kimball.
Mrs. Houdesheldt was a staff reporter and farm-ranch editor at The Telegraph from 1966 to 1972. During that time, she won several state and national press awards.
Survivors include a daughter, Dianne (Mike) LaFountain of England; two sons, Mike (Martha) and Greg (Lori), both of Lincoln; a sister, Kathy MaGee of Mesa, Ariz.; two brothers, David (Anna) Taylor and James Taylor, both of Virginia; six grandsons; and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband in October 1979, her father in October 1966 and her mother in November 1991.
Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Butherus-Maser-Love Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Source: The North Platte Telegraph, November 13, 1998
Eleanor Johnson
Eleanor Lorraine Johnson was born near Stockville, Nebr., Dec. 7, 1920. She passed from this life at Farnam, Nebr., May 15, 1934, at the age of 13 years, 5 months and 8 days.
She spent her short life in the community in which she was born. She attended the Stockville grade school, and was to have been graduated there this year.
Eleanor will be greatly missed by the members of her family, her classmates, teachers, and many other friends. Her sweet face and happy smile will long be remembered by all who enjoyed knowing her.
She leaves in bereavement her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. I. Johnson, of Stockville, four sisters, Mrs. Clyde Gardner and Mrs. Marion Metcalf of Farnam, Mrs. Ed Weiss, near Stockville, and Donna, at home; two brothers, Millard and Irvin, both of Stockville; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Johnson, Peoria, Arizona; eight nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Her death came as a great shock since it was the first in the Johnson family. Her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Johnson had the privilege of enjoying nearly 57 years with their children and grandchildren before this first one was taken from the group.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Farnam, May 17, Rev. L. H. Messersmith in charge. Pallbearers were the following girls from Eleanor’s Sunday school class: Frances Youree, Valena Weiss, Lucille Houghtelling, Helen Henderson, Ruth Hinton and Cleone Churchill.
Millard S. Johnson
Millard S. Johnson was born August 11, 1858, near Liverpool, Pennsylvania. He was married to Margaret M. Clemens, June 28, 1877. To this union were born seven children, Mary Messersmith, Farnam; George, Stockville; Susanna Lydic, Glendale, Arizona; Charles, Farnam; Philip, Farnam; Rosie Burton, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Pearl Harrison, Phillips, Nebr.
Mr. Johnson and his family came from Pennsylvania to Missouri, then to Frontier county, Nebraska in 1890, where they resided on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson moved to Farnam in the fall of 1915. In 1921 they moved to Peoria, Arizona, where they have made their home since. He passed away at his home in Arizona, Jan. 17, 1937, at the age of 78 years, 5 months, 6 days.
Those surviving are his wife; seven children; a brother, Theorus, Altoona, Pennsylvania; 24 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. Two grandchildren and two brothers preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church at Farnam, Sunday, January 24. Rev. L. H. Messersmith officiated, assisted by Rev. S. McKeown. Pallbearers were five grandsons: Emry and Orvis Messersmith, Millard, Clarence, and Raymond Johnson, and one nephew: Lawrence Johnson.
Clara McMichael Johnson
Clara McMichael was born July 4, 1885, at Farnam and departed from this live at the Farnam hospital September 22, 1942, at the age of 57 years, 2 months and 18 days.
Her entire life was lived in Frontier county, the last 23 years on a farm near Stockville.
In 1903 she was united in marriage to George I. Johnson, and to this union were born seven children, one daughter Eleanor Lorraine preceding her in death at the age of 13 years.
She is survived by her husband, four daughters, and two sons; Mrs. Jennie Gardner and Mrs. Dora Weiss of Farnam, Mrs. Rebecca Metcalf of Ingham, Mrs. Donna Hinton and Millard Johnson of Stockville and Irvin Johnson of Farnam, also 15 grandchildren, four brothers and two sisters.
She was always a kind and loving wife and mother and will be greatly missed by her relatives and a host of friends.
