Sarah Ellen Dean

Pioneer Niobrara Co. Lady Is Called

Complications of old age and a touch of the "flu" combined to take another of Niobrara county's pioneers last Saturday, March 15th with the passing from this life of Mrs. C. M. Dean at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. W. Reed of the Manville community.

Mrs. Dean, with her husband and four children, came to Niobrara county from Whiting, Iowa in 1911 and since that time had been a resident of this community, living for many years a few miles southeast of Node. Grandma Dean, as she was intimately known to her many acquaintances, was always an active and tireless worker in her chosen community. A kind and thoughtful wife and mother she commanded the respect and esteem of her neighbors and friends.

She was married to C. M. Dean while residing at Whiting, Iowa, and four children were born to bless this wedlock, all of whom survive. Her husband preceded her in death about eight years ago and since that time she had made her home with her son Fred. She had enjoyed good health up until recent years and although she had passed the four score span of life she looked to the future cheerfully and with never a complaint as to her ailments. Her cheering words and comforting smiles won for her a legion of friends who came to look to her as a guide in spiritual and personal problems.

Last rites for this fine pioneer lady were held Monday, March 17, at the Congregational church in Lusk with Rev. M. H. Marshall in charge. A solo by Mrs. H. J. Templeton, "Crossing the Bar," and two numbers by a mixed quartet composed of J. M. Hungate, Cecil Stark, Mesdames Templeton and DeCastro: "He's the One," and "What a Friend We Have In Jesus," added much to the beautiful last rites. Casket bearers were Don Taylor, A. McCoy, Herbert Sabin, Harold Fosher, Otis Bump and Henry Wasserburger, and interment was in the Lusk cemetery beside her husband.

Sarah Ellen Linder was born January 12, 1861, at Osceola, Iowa, the eldest child of A. J. and Sarah Linder. She grew to young womanhood in that community where she received her education and early in life was affiliated with the Christian Church. After finishing her schooling she went to Whiting, Iowa where she taught school until her marriage to C. M. Dean of that city. The young couple continued to make their home in Whiting for many years where they were active in church work and where their four children were born.

In 1911 the parents and children moved to a homestead near Node, Wyoming and a few years later they purchased the George Voorhees ranch in that vicinity where she spent the remaining years of her life until her last illness. Mrs. Dean departed this life on March 15, 1941, at the home of her daughter, Mr. R. W. Reed, at the age of 80 years, two months and three days. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1933.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son, Fred, with whom she had made her home many years; a son Carl of Node; two daughters, Mrs. Frank Beyers of Node and Mrs. R. W. Reed of Manville. There are also three grandsons, Louis, Richard and Carl, and a host of friends throughout the community who will always reverence the memory of this fine lady.

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