Louisa Katherine Fowler

Mrs. Katherine Fowler, Former Librarian, passes away Feb. 29th at Las Cruces, N.M., at Age of 79

Mrs. Katherine Fowler, 79 years old, a resident of Lusk for over thirty years, and for many years librarian in the Carnegie Library, passed away last Saturday morning, February 29th, at Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she had gone with her daughter, Miss Alice Fowler, in the hope that a change of climate would benefit her health.

With her at the time of death were her two children, State Representative Herbert B. Fowler of Newcastle, and Miss Alice Fowler of Lusk.

Her son Herbert had been summoned to her bedside when it became apparent that she could not long survive, and he and Miss Alice Fowler accompanied the remains back to Lusk, where interment was made on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs. Fowler has been intimately connected with the business and social life of Lusk and Niobrara County for over thirty years. For many years she operated a millinery establishment in Lusk, when the more decorative style of feminine headgear was in vogue. When Mrs. Stillman, mother of Mrs. Frank S. Lusk, established a library here, Mrs. Fowler was chosen as librarian, and when the present Carnegie Library was established she was immediately appointed librarian, and held that post until last May when she was forced to retire because of failing health and to take a rest.

The remains arrived in Crawford Monday morning, and were conveyed to Lusk by the Midwest Mortuary, which had charge of the funeral arrangements, and many friends called at the Funeral Home to pay their respects before the service.

Services were held from the Congregational Church Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, with Rev. George Jenkins officiating. Pallbearers were D.A.Shoopman, Frank W. Chambers, A.B. Mills, Hans Gautschi, Frank a. Barrett and J.B. Griffith.

A mixed quartet composed of Ford B. Kuns, J.M. Hungate, Mrs. C.E. Marvin and Mrs. Floyd Deuel, accompanied by Mrs. Arthur Vogel at the piano, furnished the music, rendering "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me," "Rock of Ages" and "No Night There" while Rev. Jenkins delivery a beautiful eulogy of the life and works of Mrs. Fowler.

Many relatives and friends from out of town attuned the services here Tuesday afternoon. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Lamb of Midwest, Mrs. Lamb being a niece of Mrs. Fowler; Mr. and Mrs. Lem Carmin, Phyllis Cooper, Joseph Carmin, Mr.and Mrs. W.R. Eastman, Miss Eleanor Call, Norman Call, all of Douglas; Mr. Eastman, Mr. and Mrs. R.I. Olinger, Mr. and Mrs, E.E. Wakeman, Frank Cummins, Cecil Clark, Walter Schoonmaker and Preston T. McAvoy, all of Newcastle, and Mr. and Mrs. George Cureton of Denver.

The passing of Mrs. Fowler brings to a close the career of a woman of unusual attainments. Her life has been filled with good work, and she leaves to posterity the priceless heritage of a noble life filled with service both to her family, her friends and to the community which she served for many years.

LOUISA KATHERINE FOWLER

Louisa Katherine Hobbs was born April 3, 1856, in Livingston County, Missouri, and departed this life on February 29, 1936, at Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she had gone with her daughter in hope that the change of climate would benefit her failing health. She was 79 years 11 months and 27 days of age at the time of her departure.

Deceased was the daughter of William Lee and Catherine Leeanna Hobbs, who preceded her in death several years ago, and who now rest in the Lusk Cemetery. Mrs. Fowler moved with her parents to Nebraska in 1860, and was married at Portsmouth Neb., on November 27, 1879, to John E. Fowler. Shortly thereafter, she and her husband moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their daughter Alice, and two sons, William and John Elmer were born. Her husband and two sons preceded her in death.

In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Fowler moved to Lusk, Wyoming, with her two children, Alice and Herbert, and has since resided here. For several years she was librarian at the Stillman Library, holding this place until the present Carnegie Library was established, when she was appointed librarian of that institution and continued actively engaged in that office until May, 1935, when on account of failing health, she discontinued her duties to take a well-earned rest.

Early in life she was baptized in the Christian Church and has and has since remained steadfast in that faith.

Besides her two children and daughter-in-law, she is survived by her sister, Mrs. Flora Slaymaker, of Los Angeles, Cal.; a brother, W.L. Hobbs of Pinedale, Wyo. and two grandchildren, Katherine and Herbert Fowler, Jr. of Newcastle.

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