Benjamin "Ben" Spaeth

Ben Spaeth, Well Known Rancher of this Community, Died Suddenly

This community was shocked and saddened late Monday evening when it was learned that Ben Spaeth, well known rancher-stockman had passed away suddenly that evening at his ranch home southeast of Lusk, death being the result of a heart attack.

Mr.Spaeth had been working about the ranch as usual, having brought his wife and children to Lusk in the morning and returned to the ranch to help his hired man and a veterinary test cattle for tuberculosis. He had prepared lunch for the men at the ranch and after completing their work with the cattle the hired man had gone to the field to work, while Mr. Spaeth worked about the ranch yards. When the men returned from the field about 5:30 Mr. Spaeth told them that they had time to milk before he had their supper prepared. He was peeling potatoes at the time the men, Mr. Parmely and Sid Williams, went to the barn to do the milking. They returned to the house about 5:55 p.m., and smelling the potatoes burning on the stove they rushed inside to find Mr. Spaeth's lifeless body near a kitchen sink where he evidently had passed away very suddenly from a severe heart attack a few minutes earlier. Mr. Williams immediately came to Lusk to notify his family and the doctor.

The deceased had come to this community about thirty years ago and homesteaded about 18 miles southeast of Lusk, just over the county line in Goshen county. He was well and favorably known throughout the east central section of Wyoming and had established a fine herd of Hereford cattle and was one of the most substantial ranchers of this part of Wyoming.

Benjamin Spaeth was born at West Bend, Indiana, August 11, 1888 the son of Jacob and Eliza Spaeth, and passed away at his home near Lusk, Wyoming, October 13, 1941, aged 55 years, three months and two days. He came to Wyoming about 1911 and had been a resident since, except for the time he served with the United States Army during the World War.

On October 2, 1933 he was united in marriage to Mary Hussion and two children were born to bless this union, one daughter, Mary Francis, and one son, Robert Benjamin. Beside his immediate family those left to mourn his passing include two brothers and two sisters who all reside in Wisconsin and a legion of friends throughout this section of Wyoming.

Funeral Services will be this (Thursday) afternoon at the Peet Mortuary Chapel with Rev. P.H. Evans of the Lusk Baptist Church in charge. A mixed Quartet composed of George Gibson, Cecil Starks, Mrs. H.J. Templeton and Mrs. Edna DeCastro will sing "The Old Rugged Cross", "Lead Kindly Light," and "God be With You Until We Meet Again," with Mrs. J.P. Watson accompanist.

Casket bearers are T.A. Godfrey, Dan Jordan, John Coffee, Ed McKelvey, Harry Baldwin, H.F. Dillinger, William Boekhoff and Herry Wasserburger. Interment will be made in the Lusk Cemetery.

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