Mary Jane "Mae" (Falconer) Fields

Mrs. Mae Fields, 68, a native of this area, died in DePaul Hospital in Cheyenne Tuesday evening.

Mrs. Fields had been hospitalized since February 2 and had been taken to Cheyenne for surgery February 14. She had recently had surgery for the third time.

Survivors include her husband, Dudley Fields, and two daughters, Catherine and Rosalie.

At The Herald's presstime Wednesday afternoon the time of the services had not yet been set.



Lusk Herald
April 5, 1962
Funeral for Mae Fields, Native Pioneer, Held

Last rites for Mae Fields, native pioneer of Niobrara County, were held from the Peet Mortuary Friday with burial in the Lusk Cemetery.

She had died the evening of March 27 in DePaul Hospital in Cheyenne. Mrs. Fields was the only daughter of prominent pioneer settlers of Niobrara County, Andrew and Kate Falconer, and was born at Hat Creek, the site historically known as Old Fort Hat Creek, on May 2, 1893.

Her parents moved to America in 1893 from Edinburgh, Scotland and came directly to Hat Creek. Mrs. Fields childhood was spent at the family home of Old Fort Hat Creek, which was used as a fort against the Indians, a telegraph and stage coach station. Her education was received in the Lusk Public schools. During the school year she made her home with Mrs. Elizabeth Mayes, now of Jay Em, and husband, the late James E. Mayes, in Lusk. On the week ends she would ride horseback from Lusk to the family home of Hat Creek. She also attended business college in Cheyenne.

She loved the outdoors and ranch life and took a deep interest in the business of her father, the raising of high grade Hereford cattle. She was interested in the cattle business all of her life and was regarded as a fine judge of good cattle.

On September 18, 1916, she married Dudley Fields in Casper. At the time of their marriage Mr. Fields was county treasurer and held this position for two terms of office from 1916 through 1920. During this time the couple made their home in Lusk. Mrs. Fields served as deputy county treasurer for her husband.

With the completion of Mr. Fields term in office, they moved to Hat Creek, where they assisted the late Andrew Falconer in the management of his ranch, general merchandise store and post office. The ranch is now leased to Mr. and Mrs. George Christian.

Mrs. Fields with her quiet and cheerful ways, her willingness to help others acquired a host of friends. Her family and friends always were her first interest. She was an active member of the Hat Creek Community Club even though the family home was maintained in Lusk.

Preceding her in death were her father in 1922, her mother in 1937, an only brother, John Storrie Falconer in 1889, and a cousin, Walter Storrie in 1957. Mrs. Fields and her cousin Walter were reared in a sparsely settled community having few children, and they regarded each other as brother and sister. She is survived by her husband, Dudley Fields of Lusk and Hat Creek; two daughters, Miss Catherine Mae Fields of Lusk and Miss Rosalie Ellen Fields of Honolulu, Hawaii; three cousins, Mrs. Walter Storrie of Denver, Mrs. Andrew Falconer and John Falconer both of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Rev. James Davis officiated at the services Friday. A quartet composed of Gerald Bardo, James Willson, Mrs. H. J. Templeton and Mrs. Sam Thomas sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "Rock of Ages." Mrs. Gerald Bardo was organist. Active pallbearers were Wm. "Scotty" Jack and Donald Olinger of Cheyenne, John Goddard, Joe Klemke, George Mill and Harry Fernau Sr. Honorary bearers were; John Agnew, Hans Gautdchi, Charles Hitshew, Rulo Roberts, Lou Osborne, Ed Cook, Robert Scott, Ed Hesco, Len Christian, Russell Thorpe and Jesse Hall. Burial was in the Lusk cemetery.