Leola A. James

Leola A. James

Leola James who settled on a ranch in the Kirtley area with her husband in 1930 died at the Niobrara Memorial Hospital last Wednesday, Oct. 6. Memorial service was conducted here Monday afternoon.

Leola A. James was born August 24, 1905, at Beaver Crossing, Neb. the daughter of Jacob J. Horner and Mae Michael Horner.

She graduated from Beaver Crossing High School in 1924 and then attended Chadron State College. Her first teaching position was at Glen, Neb., where she arrived with a trunk of clothing and $1.75 in her pocket. Leola and Levern F. James were married in 1925. They came to Wyoming in March 1930, and made their home on the Thomas Fagan ranch in the Kirtley area. They purchased this ranch in 1938.

Mrs. James was a member of the Fancy Farmer Garden Club, Eastern Star, Rebekah Lodge, Cowbells, D.A.R., Kheta Court and Ladies of the Nile, and the Niobrara Hospital Auxiliary. She helped organize the Up and Coming 4-H Club in the Divide Community. She was also an active member of the Lusk Business and Professional Women's Club and served as state reforestation chairman this past year. She also volunteered her time in the Niobrara Community benefit marathon each year, an organization which gives donations to worthy charities. Mrs. James was a member of the Church of Christ.

Mark Lohr, pastor of the Church of Christ officiated at the memorial at Peet Mortuary Chapel. Music was provided by Elizabeth Craske, organist, and Joy Kaltenheuser who sang "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Active bearers were Willard Porter, John Jassman, Robert Kilmer, Robert Fancher, Robert Zerbe, Ray Taylor, H. E. Hansen and Allen Strodtman. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery. A memorial has been established to the Niobrara Memorial Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Levern, in1977; one great-grandson, J.B. Berry, two brothers, Earl and Velmar Horner. She is survived by her four children, Freida Mae Hammond, Chowchilla, Calif., Mary Marlene Goss, Paramount, Calif., Richard Levern James and Lee Horner James , both of Lusk; two sisters, Faye Wolford of LeRoy, N.Y., and Velma Wildt of Alliance, Neb.; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She leaves many friends, all of whom are honorary bearers.

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