Bess Bannan

Last Rites Held for Bess Bannan

Funeral services for Mrs. Bess Bannan, a resident of Sioux County for more than 50 years, were held at the St. John Catholic Church in Crawford on November 20 with Father Robert O'Neill officiating and assisted by Father John Dennett. Interment was made in the Catholic Crawford Cemetery.

Bess Murphy was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Murphy at Beaver Falls, Pa., on December 18, 1882. She was one of several sisters and brothers and the last survivor. She lived in several states as a child and a young woman.

In 1912 she came to Sioux County to visit her step-father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Harvey. It was at this time she met George Bannan and they were married the following year. They moved to Mr. Bannan's homestead and resided there until 1954, the year that Mr. Bannan died. A short time later she and her son, Andrew, moved to Harrison which has since been their home. Her second son, Laurance and family live on the home place. She is survived by here sons, a daughter-in-law, five grandchildren.

Mrs. Bannan was a devout Christian. She cared for a number of children and adults through the years. Friends said that no one around here has done more good than this venerable woman.

H.M. Houston, mortician of Crawford, was in charge of funeral arrangements. Pall bearers were Carl Engebretsen, Eldon Fox, Vern Hewitt, Jim Howard, Floyd Serres and William (Buddy) Soper.

Out-of-town people here for the funeral included: Mr. and Mrs. William Soper of Hot Springs, S.D., Mr. and Mrs. Vern Hewitt and Robert Bannan of Chadron; Mr. and Mrs. William C. Coffee, Robert Coffee and Mrs. Jack Burnham, Torrington; and Miss Maureen Eagleton of Gordon, Nebraska.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records