Ford Bert Kuns

MANY ATTEND LAST RITES FOR FORD B. KUNS ON FRIDAY

Amid a flower adorned chapel, the last rites for Ford B. Kuns were held on Friday afternoon at two o'clock.

The final tribute was given by Rev. Millard Marshall, pastor of the Congregational Church of Glendive, Montana, a close friend of the deceased, who was assisted in the service by Rev. Lawrence Juell of Lusk.

Rev. Paul Hoover sang "Crossing the Bar" and the Congregational Church choir, of which Mr. Kuns had been a member many years, sang "A City Four Square." Mrs. Gerald Bardo was the organist.

The casket bearers were L. A. Wood, Aaron Lincoln, Lou Bass, Hans Gautschi, D. A. Shoopman and George Gibson.

Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery.

OBITUARY
(Written by C. C. Browning)

Ford Bert Kuns was born at Bancroft, Nebraska, June 15, 1888, and passed from death to eternal life, Wednesday, October 11, 1944.

He was a graduate of the Beemer, Neb. High School, received his B.S. degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Neb., and took post graduate work at the Universities of Nebraska, California and Wyoming.

Having chosen the field of education for his life's work, Mr. Kuns worked ceaselessly and tirelessly for the improvement and advancement of every educational activity. He served as superintendent of the Lusk schools for fourteen years, and as County Superintendent of Niobrara county schools from 1934 until illness made it impossible for him to continue.

Ford Kuns' activities, however, were not limited to his chosen profession. He was an energetic and earnest worker in every phase of community life, superintendent of the Sunday school, member of the Board of Trustees, deacon and a member of the choir of the Lusk Congregational Church. He also served as president of the Lusk Lions Club, chairman of the Niobrara County Library Board and on the Boy Scout Council and was active in Masonic and Eastern Star organizations, and served as associate guardian of the Lusk Bethel of Jobs Daughters. His most effective work, however, was with young people and many a boy and girl has grown into a richer and fuller life by reason of coming in contact with and under the influence of Ford B. Kuns.

A son, Harold, preceded him in death, passing away in August of 1927.

He leaves to mourn his passing, but to rejoice in the memory of the richness of his life, his wife, Grace E., a son, Stanley, a daughter, Hazel Jean, his brother, Ray, of Broken Bow, Neb.; Glen of Omaha, Neb., and a host of friends, boys and girls, men and women, who knew, respected and loved him.

Thon Book No. 9
Ford B. Kuns Dies Early Wednesday

With the passing of Ford B. Kuns on Wednesday morning at 4:30 a.m., Lusk lost one of its most prominent citizens and one of the best-known men in Niobrara County.

Death came quietly, after a lingering illness. Stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage in August of 1940, while playing softball, Mr. Kuns never fully recovered, and for the past year has been confined to his home. About three weeks ago he became worse and was taken to the Spencer Hospital, where he passed away Wednesday morning, October 11.

In 1919 Mr. and Mrs. Kuns came to Wyoming from Nebraska and took up a homestead on the west side of the Rawhide Buttes. The following fall Mr. Kuns was selected as superintendent of the Lusk schools, a position which he held for fourteen years. He was then elected county superintendent of schools for Niobrara County and served in this capacity for nine years.until his failing health forced him to reliquish his office, and Mrs. Kuns was appointed in his place.

Ford Kuns was a graduate of the Beemer high school of Beemer, Neb., and received his B.S. degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University of Lincoln, Neb. He has also taken post graduate work at the Universiy of Nebraska, University of California and University of Wyoming.

In Many Organizations
He was a past president of the State Teachers Association and a district governor of the Lions Clubs. Always a capable worker in all civic organization, Mr. Kuns had served as president of the Lusk Lions Club, chairman of the Niobrara County Library Board, on the Boy Scout Council and was active in Masonic an Eastern Star circles and served as associate guardian of the Jobs Daughters.

Very few men ever worked harder for the benefit of the community in which they lived than Ford Kuns. Always interested in athletics, he acted as coach of the football and basketball teams in the days before the Lusk schools boasted a coach. He took an active part in the town softball games and was ever willing and ready to give a helping hand where it was needed.

He sang in the Lusk Congregational Church choir for many years and gave of his time and talent willingly in other church functions.

Ford Bert Kuns was born at Bancroft, Neb., June 15, 1888, and was married to Grace Ellis, August 14, 1913, at Pilger, Neb. One son, Harold, preceded him in death, passing away in August 1928.

Besides his wife Grace E. Kuns, he is survived by a son, Stanley, and a daughter, Hazel Jean, and two brothers, Ray Kuns of Broken Bow, Neb., and Glen Kuns of Omaha, Neb.

Services will be conducted from the Peet Chapel on Friday afternoon at two o'lock, with Rev. Millard Marshall, a close friend, officiating.

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