Leon R. VanTassell

L.R. Van Tassell Dies Here Sunday

L.R. Van Tassell, 76, early 1900 homesteader in Niobrara County and resident here since, died in a local hospital Sunday after being brought here January 13 from Thermopolis where he had been confined since Christmas day with a fracture of the hip and ankle. He fell on some ice at that tine to cause the injury.

Funeral services were held this Wednesday afternoon at the Peet Mortuary with the Rev. Jacob Nein officiating. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery with the pallbearers being Z.B. Crinklaw, Floyd McLain, Roy McLain, Henry Kaan, Nick Kaan, and Menno Kaan. Music was sung by Mrs. A. B. DeCastro and Mrs. H.J. Templeton with Mrs. J.P. Watson, organist.

Leon Van Tassell was born in Chicasaw County, Iowa April 16, 1877, the son of Sidney and Augusta Van Tassell. He was the oldest of seven children. When he was yet small the family moved to Royal, Neb. where he resided until a young man.

On December 22, 1902 he married Ivy May Kirby at Neligh, Neb. Mr. arid Mrs. Van Tassell established their home at Brown's Valley, Minn. where they lived for seven years. In 1909 they came to Wyoming and located on a homestead nine miles south of Lusk which was the family home until 1926. The family then moved to Lusk.

Mr. Van Tassell had been a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge for 36 years. He had made his home in Thermopolis for several years because of poor health. Mrs. Van TasselI died November 23, 1944. Two children also previously died, Gladys in infancy and Lawrence at nine months.

Surviving are a son, Forrest of Meeteetsee, and a daughter, Mrs. Doris Nurest of Shelton, Wash.; four grandchildren, Carol Umphenour of Shelton; Richard Van Tassell of Omaha; Forrest and Carol Van Tassell of Meeteetsee. There are also five sisters and one brother: Miss Lucy Van Tassell of Brown's Valley; the Misses Marian and Lena Van Tassell, and Mrs. Gus Schultz and Mrs. Earl Martin of Long Beach, Calif; and Clayton whose address is unknown.

Thon Book No. 3
Last Services Conducted Wednesday For Late Leon R. Van Tassel, former Rancher and Mail Carrier of County

Concluding services were conducted at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, January 20th, in the chapel of the Peet Mortuary, for the late Leon R. Van Tassel, who passed away at 7:00 a.m., Sunday morning, January 17th , at the Spencer hospital, where he had been a patient for the past four days.

The deceased, who had been residing at Thermopolis, Wyo. the past several years, suffered a fracture of the right hip on December 30th, in Thermopolis and was hospitalized there until being brought to the Spencer hospital on Wednesday, January 13th.

Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the Congregational-Christian Church, officiated at the services with member of the I.O.O.F. attending in a group. Adding to the rites was the singing of two selections, "Abide With Me" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," by Mesdames. H. J. Templeton and Ab DeCastro, with Mrs. J. P. Watson, presiding at the organ.

Interment was in the Lusk cemetery where members of Custer Lodge No. 21, I.O.O.F., held graveside rites. Bearing the remains to their last resting place were Z. B. Crinklaw, Menno C. Kaan, Henry Kaan, Roy McLain and Floyd Mclain.

Leon R. Van Tassel was born April 16th, 1877 at Chickasaw county, Iowa, a son of Sidney and Augusta (Bartsche) Van Tassel and was the eldest of seven children. He departed from this life on January 17th, 1954 having attained the age of 76 years, 9 months and one day.

When he was a small boy, the family moved to Royal, Nebr. where he was reared to manhood. On December 22, 1902, he was married to Ivy May Kirby at Neligh, Nebr. the couple moved to Brownsvalley, Minn. where they lived for seven years.

In 1909 they came westward to Wyoming and located on a homestead nine miles south of Lusk, which was the family home until 1926, when they established a home in Lusk. For many years thereafter, Mr. Van Tassel served as a rural mail carrier. He was a member of Custer Lodge NO. 21, I.O.O.F. for more than 36 years. For the past five years he had made his home in Thermopolis because of poor health.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ivy, who passed away November 23rd, 1944, and two children, Gladys, an infant daughter, and a son Lawrence, three years of age. Surviving are his son Forrest Van Tassel of Meeteese, Wyo., a daughter Mrs. Dorris Nunert of Shelton, Wash; Richard Van Tassel, Omaha, Nebr., Forrest Leon and Carol Van Tassel of Meeteese, Wyo., five sisters, Miss Lucy Van Tassel, Brownsvalley, Minn.; Miss Marion Van Tassel, Miss Lena Van Tassel, Mrs. Gus Schultz and Mrs. Earl Martin all of Long Beach, Calif. and one brother, Clayton Van Tassel of Peever, So. Dak.

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