Obituary Details

Genevieve Helen McMaster

(12/18/1892 - 10/03/1964)
Courtesy of The Lusk Herald, 10/08/1964

Mrs. McMaster Dies Sat. While Traveling

Mrs. Andrew McMaster, 71, a resident of Niobrara since 1912, died Saturday afternoon while she, Senator McMaster and a family friend, Mrs. Clara Kowalski, were driving from Casper to Lusk. Death was attributed to a heart failure. She had had a bad heart condition for sometime.

Senator and Mrs. McMaster had been in Casper since Friday where he had been presiding over the Governor's Committee of Water Research and Development. They were about ten miles west of Douglas when Mrs. McMaster, who was lying in the rear seat, coughed. Mrs. Kowalski, a registered nurse of Seattle, Wash., turned to her, took her pulse and told Mr. McMaster to drive to the Douglas Hospital fast. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Converse County Hospital.

The Peet Chapel was filled to capacity for rosary service Monday evening.

State Officials Here

The esteem in which Senator and Mrs. McMaster were held was evidenced at the Mass Tuesday morning when all five of Wyoming's elected officials attended. Governor Clifford Hansen, Thyra Thomson, Secretary of State; Minnie Mitchell, State Auditor; Everett T. Copenhaver, State Treasurer; and Dr. Cecil Shaw, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, all flew to Lusk to attend the services.

There were far too many people for the capacity of St. Leo's Church Tuesday morning and the overflow crowd stood outside during the Mass. Among the group were people from all areas of Wyoming.

Active pallbearers were: Jack Burnham, Jim Thompson, Roy Chamberlain, Jim Barrett, Charles Christian, Max Bird.

Honorary pallbearers were: Carl Bruch, Henry Wasserburger, Sr., Richard G. Pfister Jr., Harry Burnham, Ferd Price, Frank Podolak, Wesley Peterson, Roscoe Kilmer, S.E. West, Leo Thompson, Bill DesEnfants, Dr. Francis Barrett, Lester Lewis, Nick Kaan, Sr., John Agnew, Lou Bass, Paul Percival, Clarence Mangus, Jim Roberts, Earl Criss, Floyd Bartling, Representatives Marlin Kurtz, Senator Charles Irwin, Frank Mockler, Senator Rudy Anselmi, Gov. Hansen.

Father O'Connor of St. Leo's Catholic Church officiated at both the Rosary and Mass. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Genevieve McCabe was born in Crystal, Mich., December 18, 1892 and was educated in the Kalamazoo, Mich., and Milwaukee, Wisc., schools. She came to Wyoming in 1912 with her parents who homesteaded southwest of Van Tassell. Her parents also operated McCabe Drug in Van Tassell. Both were registered pharmacists. Genevieve worked in the store until she and Mr. McMaster were married on December 13, 1920. They have operated a ranch southwest of Van Tassell ever since.

She was assistant postmistress at Van Tassell from 1912 until 1945.

Beside Senator McMaster she is survived by her son, Jack, one 99-year old aunt in Hollywood, Calif. Her parents and one brother died previously and a son died at birth.

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Photo courtesy of Joshua Brackett's Eagle Scout Project
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Related/Linked Records

Record Type Name
Obituary McMaster, John (08/07/1937 - 01/26/2005) View Record
Obituary McCabe, Catherine (11/28/1871 - 01/25/1952) View Record
Obituary McMaster, Andrew (08/19/1896 - 06/11/1986) View Record
Obituary McMaster, Kara (11/07/1968 - 11/24/1968) View Record
Obituary McMaster, Edgar (04/11/1889 - 02/17/1950) View Record
Obituary McMaster, Loy (11/30/-0001 - 02/06/1953) View Record
Obituary McCabe, Alexander (04/07/1851 - 09/24/1936) View Record
Obituary Lange, Richard (04/01/1892 - 05/20/1955) View Record
Obituary Lange, MIldred (04/01/1899 - 05/23/1955) View Record
Historical Van Tassell, Wyoming View Record
Historical This Too Shall Pass Away View Record
Historical Van Tassell Legion Post One of First Four in the United States View Record