Albert Theodore Mantei

Theo. Mantei, Popular Merchant, Passes Away

Military Services to be Held Thursday at 2:30

Theodore Mantei, 37 years of age, proprietor of the Lusk Golden Rule, and associated stores in other cities, passed away after an extended illness of heart trouble at the Veteran's Hospital in Cheyenne, Tuesday afternoon, December 21, at 2:25 p.m.

Mr. Mantei was taken to the Veteran's Hospital in Cheyenne last Sunday in the Peet ambulance, in the hope that he would receive benefit from treatments there.

He had been in bad health for several years, but last week grew worse. He was suffering from a chronic heart ailment contracted in 1917 following a severe attack of influenza while he was in the military service during the World War.

Funeral services will be held from the Congregational Church Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with Rev. Jenkins officiating. Interment will be made in the Lusk Cemetery, arrangements being in charge of the Peet Mortuary.

He was an active member of the local post of the American Legion, and he will be buried with military honors, the Legion committal service will be said at the grave by officers of the local Post and a firing squad will accord a last salute to their departed comrade.

The pall bearers will be composed of four ex-service men and four from his business associates. The Legion pallbearers will be A.B. Mills, Thomas O. Miller, Frank A. Barrett and C.E. Marvin. The other four are H.L. Joiner, George Kuns, J.B. Griffith and Chris Joss.

WAS POPULAR IN BUSINESS CIRCLES

Theodore Mantei, who was the owner of the Golden Rule store in Lusk and also associated with other Golden Rule stores in Crawford and Newcastle, was popular with his business associates in Lusk and but for his impaired health would no doubt have become an outstanding figure in the business world.

He was born at Krelin, North Dakota, and would have been 38 years old the coming May. After his high school graduation he entered the University of North Dakota, graduating with a B.A. degree. He received an LL.B. degree from the University of Washington, and during his college career was a member of the following fraternities: Phi Alpha Delta, law; Sigma Delta Chi, journalism; Delta Sigma Rho, oratory; Phi Beta Kappa, scholastic; Delta Tau Delta, social.

He was an instructor in the Lincoln High School of Seattle, Washington, and was for six years affiliated in large chain dry goods stores. Mr. Mantei's first experience in mercantile work came to him about 24 years ago, and has been engaged in this field since that time.

On April 17, 1917, Mr. Mantei enlisted in the service of his country, and following the war assisted in organizing the American Legion post at Leth, North Dakota. Since that time he was actively engaged in Legion affairs until failing health necessitated a curtailment of his activities, He had served as adjutant of the Derk J. Weten Post of Lusk.

Mr. Mantei was educated in the law and his great ambition was to engage in active practice, but on account of poor health he was compelled to engage in a less strenuous line of endeavor. However, he was always interested in legal matters and was attendant at all important court trials whenever opportunity offered.

Mr. Mantei came to live with Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Patterson when he was 13 years old and in 1925 married their daughter, Mrs. Vega Mantei, who with their 8-year-old daughter survive him. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson now operate one of the Golden Rule stores at Crawford.

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