Ernest "Jug" Walter Jugler

Funeral Services for Sheriff Ernest Jugler One of largest Ever Held Here

Funeral services for Niobrara County Sheriff Ernest Jugler that were held in the Peet Chapel Friday afternoon were attended by one of the largest crowds ever to attend a local funeral. Three hundred twenty eight persons were counted as they left the service.

Many different types of law enforcement uniforms from Wyoming and South Dakota were visible in the large audience. Because the Chapel was crowded to over-flowing many stood outside the Chapel during the entire service.

Sheriff Jugler died of a heart attack New Years Eve after being ill with a heart condition for several months. January 1, 1958 he would have completed three years in office.

Rev. Otha B. Holcomb, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lusk, officiated. Burial was made in the Lusk Cemetery. A mixed quartet composed of Mrs. Carl Peterson, Mrs. Otha Holcomb, Harry Lyon and Donley Unruh sang "In The Sweet Bye and Bye" and "Beautiful Isle." Mrs. A. F. DeCastro was organist.

Pall bearers were Patrol Sergeant M. S. Jordan, Benny Wolfe, Roy Turnbull, George Sylvester, Bryan Burge, Wm. Henritze and Harry Fernau, Jr.

Ernest Walter Jugler was born June 10, 1904 at Sutherland, Ia., the son of Frank and Gertrude Jugler.

He came to Lusk as a young boy with his sister and brother-in-law with whom he resided until manhood. After serving his enlistment in the Navy he made his home with his mother in Deadwood where he was employed in the gold mines.

He returned to Lusk and worked on various farms and ranches. He was married to Kathryn Jassman February 17, 1934. They were the parents of four children: George, Wanda, James and Gene.

He served as Lusk Chief of Police for several years before being elected Sheriff of Niobrara County in 1954.

He was baptized in The First Baptist Church of Lusk on May 12, 1940 and has since held the office of deacon, trustee, and has served in other capacities. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Elks Lodge of Lusk.

Survivors include his wife and four children all of Lusk; three brothers, Herman, Fremont, Nebr., Charles, Milwaukee, Wis., George, Cherokee, Ia.; five sisters; Bessie Martin, Park Rapids, Minn., Alice Anderson, Omaha, Dora Laposky, Cherokee, Ia., Emma Bunch, Klamath Falls, Ore., and Inez Danielson, Kearney, Nebr.; and one half sister. His parents and a half brother previously died.

Thon Book 1
January 2, 1957

Sheriff Ernest Jugler Dies New Year's Eve

Ernest W. Jugler, 53, Niobrara County Sheriff, died of a heart attack at his home at 9:20 New Year's Eve. He had been suffering from a heart condition for some time, but the fatal attack came as a complete surprise. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday from the Peet chapel.

Mr. Jugler was elected Niobrara County Sheriff in November 1954 and took office the following January. Before being elected sheriff he served several years as Lusk Chief of police. Prior to that time he had been a special agent for the Burlington Railroad. Despite his years of experience in law enforcement he was a steam fitter and followed that trade for many years.

Rev. Otha B. Holcomb will officiate at the funeral services.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Wanda, George, Jim and Gene, all of Lusk, and by five sisters and three brothers.

The board of Niobrara County commissioners is expected to appoint a successor to Mr. Jugler at its regular meeting Tuesday.

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