Wilhelmena "Minnie" Bell

Mrs. Minnie Bell, Resident of County Since 1912, Claimed in California on September 4; Last Rites Here Sunday

Thon Book No. 7

A gradual decline in health, which began several years ago, claimed the life of Mrs. Minnie Vinnink Bell, wife of Robert S. Bell at Santa Ana, Calif., at 2:00 o'clock Monday morning, September 4th. Mrs. Bell, one of the most hightly respected and loved residents of the Node community, was a sufferer from hypertensive heart, high blood pressure and goitre, and it was because of her failing health that she and her husband moved to the lower climate of California about a year ago. Although she was given every medical attention, she failed to respond, and for some time preceding her death, had been invalided. At the time of her passing she had reached the age of 76 years, 6 months and 21 days.

Surviving are her husband, one son, Lyle A. of Provo, Utah, three grand-sons, Captain Virgil Olds, and Ian and Karl Bell, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Helm, the latter a resident of Santa Ana, Calif.

The remains of the deceased were shipped to this city, accompanied by a nephew, Harold Spencier of Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Bell came here from California by train and was met at Cheyenne by his son, Lyle of Provo, and together they made the remainder of the trip to this city, arriving Saturday.

Last services were conducted from the chapel of the Peet mortuary at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, September 10th. Rev. Paul Hoover, pastor of the Lusk Gospel Hall, Open Bible Standard, officiated. Adding to the beauty of the services were a vocal duet, "Face to Face," by Rev. and Mrs. Milton Stewart, and also a violin solo, "Love That Will Not Let Me Go," by Mrs. Stewart. Mrs. J.P. Watson accompanied both selections on the chapel organ.

From the chapel the remains were conveyed overland to Node, near where Mrs. Bell had lived since 1912, and interment was made in the cemetery of that community. Bearing the casket to the burial place were C.E. Marvin, Harold Gautschi, Frank Bradley, A.B. Mills, C.A. Whelan and J.P. Costlow.

Mrs. Minnie Vinnink Bell was born in Muscatine, Iowa on February 13, 1869 and passed from this life in Santa Ana, California on September 4, 1944, at the age of 75 years 6 months and 21 days.

She was united in marriage to Robert S. Bell in Dennison, Iowa on July 1, 1889. To this union were born three children.

Many years ago Mrs. Bell and her family lived in Iowa and South Dakota. In 1912 they located on a homestead two miles south of Node in this county. This had been her home until the past year when failing health made it necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Bell to seek the lower climate in California.

Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by a daughter, Ada, whose age was two years and in 1915 by a daughter, Mildred Bell Olds, mother of Virgil Olds.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her busband and one son, Lyle of Provo, Utah; also three grandsons: Capt. Virgil Olds of the U.S. Army and Ian and Karl Bell; also surviving is one sister, Mrs. Anna Helm of Santa Ana, Calif.

Mrs. Bell lived a life of beautiful devotion to her family and was loved and will be long remembered by many, many friends.

The Lusk Herald
September 7, 1944
Mrs. R. S. Bell Dies In California

Word of the death of Mrs. R. S. Bell at her home in Santa Ana, California, on Monday, Sept. 4, has been received in Lusk.

George Earl Peet and Mrs. Menno Kaan were both kind enough to call The Herald office telling us of Mrs. Bell's death.

She had been in failing health for many years, in fact, it was this that caused Mr. Bell to move to California in the hope that his wife's health might be benefitted by the change.

The remains will arrive in Lusk Saturday and it is thought that funeral services will likely be held on Sunday from the Peet chapel.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell were longtime residents of the Node community and the remains will be laid to rest at Node beside their daughter, Mrs. Clyde Olds.

Their son, Lyle Bell, and family of Provo, Utah, will come to Lusk n company with Mr. Bell.

The complete obituary will be published next week.

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