Edith May Bast

Edith Bast, centenarian, dies Friday

Edith Bast, 100, Niobrara resident since 1925, died at the Niobrara Nursing Home last Friday and funeral service was held here Monday, April 9.

Edith May Bast was born Sept. 6, 1878 at Ken City, Mich. She was the daughter of William and Julia Broman. After completing high school, she worked as a seamstress. Then she attended the Lansing, Mich., School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse.

In 1908 in Danville, Ill., she married Joseph Maning. Later they moved to Rock Springs by covered wagon.

She and her husband, both registered nurses, went to work at a hospital at Star Valley. It was only a few years later that her husband contracted tuberculosis and later died.

After the death of her late husband she became employed as a cook on Governor Carey's Ranch. It was there she met his foreman, Matthew Bast, whom she married in 1925. It was later in 1925 that they moved to his ranch near Lance Creek. As a rancher's wife she was able to employ her talent of growing beautiful gardens. She planted trees and flowers, for she loved the great out-of-doors. They moved to Lusk in 1943. In 1970, after being married 45 years, Mr. Bast died.

She was baptized by Rev. Fred Bolinger, then the pastor of the local Baptist Church, at the age of 90 years. She then became a member of that church.

The Rev. Frank Bozart officiated at the funeral held at Peet Mortuary Chapel. Organist was Mrs. Edna DeCastro, and Rick Kilmer sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Lily of the Valley."

Casket bearers were C.E. Marvin, L.T. Bonner, Johnnie Thon, Andy Newcomb, Orval Allen and Venus Kilmer. Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to either the First Baptist church or Open Bible church.

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