Margaret Alice Sturman

Margaret Sturman dies Monday

Mrs. Ben (Margaret) Sturman, life-time area resident, died here Monday afternoon in the Niobrara Hospital. Funeral service will be held this Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Peet Mortuary Chapel.

The Rev. Frank Blish, Lusk Congregational Church, will officiate at the service. Tim Johnson will sing "How Great Thou Art," "The Lord's Prayer," and "Amazing Grace." Organist will be Minerva Watson.

Active casket bearers will be Lawrence Kaan, Walt Fernau, John Goddard, Paul Morgan, John Jassman, and Phil Brewster. Honorary bearers are Chet Stubson, Walt Schorneberg, Bob Templeton, Archie Huey, Robert Miller, Frank Podolak, Paul Heany, Si West and Joe Demmers. Burial will be in the Lusk Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to the Niobrara County Nursing Home.

Margaret Alice DeGroot, eldest child of Carl Everett and Maude Alice (Maxon) DeGroot, was born April 13, 1910, in Shoshoni, Wyo. Her early life was spent in Shoshoni until 1925 when the family moved to Lusk.

She graduated with the class of 1928 from Lusk High School, and then attended the University of Wyoming. She taught in the Niobrara County rural schools at Kirtley, Cow Creek and Royal Valley.

Margaret and Ben F. Sturman were married September 5, 1931, in Kimball, Nebr., and have since made their home in Lusk. They became the parents of eight children. During her residence in Lusk, she was employed in the Lusk State Bank, Niobrara County Extension office and as secretary in the Niobrara County Social Services and Public Assistance office. In July 1975, she retired from the social services position after eighteen years of service.

"She was a devoted and loving wife and mother," says her family and also gave many hours to fraternal organizations and public service. She was a member of the Congregational Church, Dorcas Circle, Lusk Rebekah Lodge No. 12 of which she is a past noble grand and a past president of District No. 6 of Rebekah Lodges; past president of Past Noble Grands Club; member of Royal Neighbors, and past president of the Silver Cliff Chapter of American War Mothers.

She is survived by her husband Ben of Lusk; seven children, a daughter, Mrs. James (Marjorie) Grisham of Casper; sons, George R. Sturman and John K. Sturman of Casper; James R. Sturman of Upton; Gerald L Sturman and Walter E. Sturman of Lusk; and Harold M. Sturman of Laurel, Mont.; two sisters, Mrs. Ada Vogel of Lusk and Mrs. Phyllis J. Manning of Arlington, Tex.; three brothers, Everett C. DeGroot, of Riverton, Wyo.; Val R. DeGroot of Sturgis, S. D. and John A. DeGroot, Denver, Colo.; 18 grandchildren. Preceding her in death were a son Donald Everett; her parents; one sister and four brothers.

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