Harvey Edward Zerbe

Harvey Zerbe dies in Casper

Last Wednesday, Harvey Edward Zerbe, long-time Van Tassell resident, died at Casper. Funeral service was held Saturday in the Peet Chapel, Lusk, at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Boutwell, Congregational pastor, officiating. Organist, Mrs. Judson P. Watson, played "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Casket bearers were Rex Shoults, Julian Phipps, Warren Robertson, Hugh McLean, Van Hank, and John Hammond. Burial was in the Van Tassell Cemetery.

Harvey Edward Zerbe was born in Canton, Ohio, October 24, 1881, the son of Emanuel and Diana Zerbe. He had seven brothers and five sisters. At the age of 12 he began working as a helper, learning the steam fitting and plumbing trade. After working in the trade for 19 years, he moved to Harrison, and in 1904 he filed on a homestead there, continuing to do plumbing work around the country.

One such plumbing job was in Lead, S. D., which he reached by riding his horse back and forth from Harrison. While working in Lead he met Mabel Battershill and brought her back to Harrison in 1909 to be his bride and to share his homestead. In 1910 their son Harlan was born.

In 1912 they moved to Van Tassell and opened a hardware store which they operated for 25 years serving the homestead families of the area. For the next 20 years he continued to take plumbing contracts from there. In 1942 they moved to Ogden, Utah, and spent two years helping with the war effort. He was a life-long member of the Van Tassell Congregational Church, helping to erect the building in 1912, and serving as Sunday School superintendent for 12 years under the Rev. Mr. Harwood and 12 years under the Rev. Mr. Cowman.

Mr. Zerbe is survived by his widow Mabel; a son Harlan of Casper; two grandsons, Bob Zerbe of Lusk, and Dave Zerbe, Van Tassell; 3 great-grandsons and 3 great-granddaughters.

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