Glen Irwin Willson

Glen Willson, 87, dies

The funeral for Glen Irwin Willson, 87, was Monday at the Peet Mortuary Chapel in Lusk. Willson died Feb. 17 after a lengthy illness.

He was born Dec. 14, 1890 in Chicago, Ill. After the death of his father, his mother, Anna Runser, married Edmund B. Willson. During his youth he lived with his parents at the Charles Guernsey Ranch, making frequent trips to Manville via wagon and horseback.

Sometimes several days would be spent visiting and in the North Platte River Glen would fish, catching sturgeon, pike and catfish.

Glen attended the University of Illinois at Urbanana and in 1927 married Helen Manning. The couple had one child, Robert.

After his parents moved to Manville, Glen managed the Charles Guernsey Ranch, and worked for a time in a hardware store in Lusk. He was also the cashier at the First National Bank in Torrington. While in Torrington, Glen met T. A. Godfrey and they purchased the Ford Garage in Lusk and stayed in that business for 33 years.

Glen was mayor of Lusk for two years, and active in the Masonic Lodge serving as worshipful master in 1938.

Besides being a 50-years member of the Masonic Lodge, Glen was also a member of the Korein Shrine.

He is survived by his wife Helen of Lusk; his son, Robert of Camarille, Calif., and three grandsons, Brandon, Reed and Greg. A stepdaughter-in-law, Phyllis Manning and stepchildren, Joe W. Manning and Diane Manning of Arlington, Tex., also survive.

He was preceded in death by his half-sister Juliana, his stepfather, Edmund, his mother and stepson Joe Manning.

The Rev. Frank Blish presided at the funeral. Pallbearers were Robert Templeton, Bob Bilger, Ed Boner, Cecil Kaan, Jerry Furgason and Harry Brown, all members of the Lusk Masonic Lodge.

Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the Niobrara County Nursing Home.

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