Jennie May Hales

Jennie May Hales

Jennie May Hales died Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, 1985, at the Niobrara Memorial Nursing Home. She was 91.

The oldest of 10 children, she was born Feb. 17, 1894, to George Sanford and Aletha Edlora Townsend Cooper at Cambria, Wyo. Her father was a telegraph operator and express agent and she grew up in different towns along the Burlington and Northern Railroads.

She moved to Crawford, Neb., in 1913 to live with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott Townsend.

She married Lee C. Hales Dec. 22, 1915, at his parents' ranch home near Crawford. They homesteaded on the open prairie 43 miles north of Lusk in about 1920. They hauled in all their fence posts, wire, building materials and other goods for a home and barn by team and wagon.

They built up the ranch and raised five children. After selling the ranch to a son in 1952, they moved to Casper.

She joined the Rebekah Lodge and was installed as Noble Grand in January 1961. She was an active member in the D.U.V., the D.A.R. and War Mothers. She moved to the Niobrara Memorial Nursing Home in 1983 because of ill health.

Her family was the most important part of her life. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She was an avid stamp collector and loved to sew and crochet.

She is survived by three sons, Warren of Cody, R. Wayne of Casper and William of Lusk; four daughters-in-law; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee; a daughter, Dorothy; a son, Edward; three brothers, six sisters and three grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Friday, Nov. 29, at Peet Mortuary Chapel. The Rev. Mark Lohr officiated. Burial was in Lusk Cemetery. Memorials to Niobrara Memorial Nursing Home would be appreciated by the family.

Peet Mortuary handled arrangements.

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