Tressie "Tress" Merwin Powell

Tress Powell, 91, dies Tuesday; funeral on Friday

Tress M. Powell, 91, died about 2:00 o'clock Tuesday morning at his home in Harrison. He had been in business in Harrison since 1919 and only in recent months did failing health cause him to discontinue working regularly at the hardware business he had established.

Death came quietly at his home, although he had been in and out of the hospital in recent months.

The funeral service will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church Friday afternoon at 2:00. A memorial will be established in his honor.

The Harrison Sun
November 27, 1975
Funeral held for pioneer Harrison business man, Tress Powell, Friday

Funeral service for Tress Powell, Harrison business man for 56 years, was held Friday at the Memorial United Methodist Church here, and burial was in the Harrison Cemetery.

The Rev. Wayne Tieszen, pastor of the church, officiated. Music was provided by Mrs. Robert Todd, organist, who accompanied Mrs. Bill Coffee singing "The End of a Perfect Day."

Pallbearers were Jim Bourret, Carl Engebretsen, John Bixler, Bill Coffee, Elmer Pullen and E. E. Whiteaker.

Tressie Merwin Powell was born in Knoxville, Ill., on Feb. 29, 1884, the son of John and Ion Lotts Powell. The family moved to Elk Creek, Neb., when Tress was six weeks old. He grew up there, attending the public schools and the Grand Island Business School.

He came to the Harrison area, first filing on a homestead south of Van Tassell, Wyo., in 1906. He worked as a cowboy until 1909 when he was employed by the Unitt Hardware, a job he held for ten years.

On Sept. 19, 1919, he purchased the hardware business with which he has been associated until his death. On Aug. 21, 1911, he and Ethelyn Collamore were married at Hot Springs, S.D., in a double ceremony with J. A. McClary and Karma Priddy. They had three children, Georgia, Bill and Arlene.

Mr. Powell was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church at Harrison, a member of Sioux Masonic Lodge 277, of which he was a charter member, and was a thirty-second degree Mason and Member of the Scottish Rite. He was presented a 65-year Masonic pin during the past summer.

He was a charter member of the Harrison Men's Community Club and served many years on the Sioux County Fair Board, the Harrison Village Board and on school boards.

Older residents remember him for his generosity and consideration to customers during the depression years of the 30's. Many remember, too, his sense of humor and his way with children.

Surviving are the three children, Georgia Powell and Wm. M. "Bill" Powell of Harrison and Arlene Farnum of Tamworth, N.H.; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Cope of Chicago, Mrs. Hazel Fowler of Cheyenne, Mrs. Gladys Pyle of Sidney, and Mrs. Mabel Ford of Glenrock, Wyo.; and seven grandchildren, John Powell, and Jodi Powell, Laramie, Wyo., Mrs. Donna Bernard, Vermillion, S. D.; Jane Beard, Kirkland, Wash., Mrs. Ann Lambert, Erie, Colo.; Walt Farnum, Harrison, and Bill Farnum, Tamworth, N. H.

Preceding him in death were his wife Edith, three brothers and three sisters.

Relatives here for the service were: Mrs. W. W. Farnum, Tamworth, N.H.; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Beard, Kirkland, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lambert, Erie, Colo.; John Powell and Jodi Powell, Laramie; Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bernard, Vermillion, S.D., Glen Powell, Humbolt, Nebr.; Helen Parr; Mrs. Mabel Ford, Glenrock, Wyo.; Joyce Fretts, Casper; Mr. and Mrs. David Cerevene and Amy, Casper; Mrs. Gladys Pyle, Sidney; Grace Hoke, Casper; Evelyn Green, Denver; Mrs. Lois Ditrzler, Douglas, Wyo. Others from away included Mr. and Mrs. James Bourret, Kimball, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morgan, Glenrock, Wyo.

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