Kathryn Violet Joss

Mrs. Violet Joss Dies Here Sunday.

Mrs. Violet Joss, 84, long time resident, died Sunday in Niobrara Memorial Hospital following lingering illness.

Funeral services were held from the Peet Chapel Tuesday with the Rev. Joseph B. Batten of Christ Episcopal Church in Douglas officiating. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Eastern Star funeral services were conducted by Mrs. T. A. Godfrey.

Mrs. J. P. Watson was the organist and Mrs. Beryl Fullerton and Mrs. G. L. Pfeifer sang "Now the Day is Over." Jim Wilson sang "The Lord's Prayer."

Pallbearers were: Arthur S. Joss, Phillip Joss, Denzel Coffee, Larry Hall, all grandnephews: George Dixon and Ted Lohr.

Honorary pallbearers were: Ray Christian, Harry Fernau Sr., Dan Hanson, Albert De Gering, Harry Boner, Hans Gautschi, C. E. Marvin, George Earl Peet, Charles Hitshew, Ray DeGering, M. O. Rasmussen, T. A. Godfrey, Gene Willson, Glen Willson and William Miller.

Mrs. Joss was born Kathryn Violet Beckwith at Burwell, England, April 15, 1880 the daughter of James and Lucy (Burling) Beckwith. When she was seven years old, the family immigrated to America and settled at Dunlap, Ia., where she grew to maturity and where she received her education.

She was married in 1903 in Council Bluffs, Ia. to Christian Joss. He had become a resident of Niobrara County in 1891 where he was engaged in the stock business.

1922 Undersheriff

Mr. Joss was elected sheriff of Niobrara County in 1918 and in 1922 Mrs. Joss was appointed Undersheriff, which is possibly the first time a woman has filled this office in Wyoming.

Mrs. Joss was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was affiliated with the Order of Eastern Star, P.E.O., was Grand Guardian of Job's Daughters and also served on the Niobrara County Welfare Board for a number of years.

Mr. and Mrs. Joss had only one child, Lyle LaVern who died when 12 years old. Mr. Joss died in 1947.

Survivors include a sister, Annie Bellis of San Antonia, Tex., several nieces and nephews.

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The Converse County Herald, April 28, 1904

When Chris Joss took the train one day last week for the east we were
told that he had gone to take unto himself a bride, but being from the
state where they have to be shown, we refrained from making mention of
it at that time. But there was no mistake about it for both he and his
bride, Miss Katie Beckwith, returned to Lusk Saturday, they having been
married in Omaha. The groom is an old resident here, being engaged in
the stock business and last fall he bought the Lusk hotel, which he has
been running ever since. He met his wife here this winter and from the
start their acquaintance ripened into love, which culminated in this
happy termination. We extend to them our hearty congratulations.

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