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Archives for May 2011

Obituary for Agnes Gibson Thompson

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Agnes Gibson Thompson was the daughter of Alexander Gibson and Ellen Morrison.  She was born May 15, 1874 on a farm near Sigorney, Iowa with her four sisters and one brother.

Her parents came from Ireland to Philadelphia, Penn. and from there moved to Iowa settling near Sigorney on a farm.  After living there for several years they moved to McPherson County, Nebraska filing on a homestead there.

Here she met and married her husband, Orin Lewis Thompson, in 1892.  They took up a homestead in McPherson County, also.  There they built a sod house.  Ten of their twelve children were born on this farm.  Her husband was elected sheriff of that County.  He served two terms – receiving eight cents a mile on horseback as his salary.  In 1912 they moved to Iowa where two more children were born making twelve children in all.  There were six girls and six boys.  They lived one year in Humeston, one year in High Point, one year at Garden Grove.  In 1917 they moved to LeRoy and spent the rest of their life there.  Her husband worked for the railroad and she and the girls ran the telephone office at LeRoy from 1918 to 1932.  Her husband passed away in 1948 after fifty six years of married life.  She, and Hollie Hitt, her close neighbor spent the next few years in their own homes looking after each other and enjoying a very close friendship.

In 1955 her daughter, Ellen Boyce, came to live with her and they spent the next fifteen years together.  Two months ago she was moved to a Nursing Home in Osceola.  Two weeks ago she suffered two like strokes.  Sunday evening she was moved to the Clarke County Hospital.  She passed away at the hospital Monday afternoon, November 8th at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 24 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Orin, a daughter Carrie, three sons, Clifton, Charles, and Teddy Thompson and one brother and five sisters.

She is survived by five daughters, Ethel Wisner of North Platte, Nebraska, Adeline Garton of Humeston, Iowa, Ellen Boyce of LeRoy, Iowa, Iva Lelsma of Lineville, Iowa, and Perl Beddison of Conoga Park, California; 3 sons Albert Thompson of LeRoy, Iowa, Keith Thompson of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dean Thompson of Daytona Beach, Florida; 30 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and 90 great-great grandchildren.

The funeral was held Thursday, November 12, 1970 at 1:00 P.M. in Webster’s Funeral Home in Osceola.  Burial was in the Garden Grove cemetery.

John A. (Bud) Gibson, Jr. Obituary

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MULLEN – John A. (Bud) Gibson Jr., 54, of Mullen, died Tuesday in a Kearney hospital.  He was born Nov. 15, 1921, at Mullen.  He attended Visalia College in California and returned to Mullen to ranch.  He had operated the Mullen Cafe for 12 years.  At the time of his death, he owned and operated the Gibson Insurance Agency with his son Dan.

Gibson was a member of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, the Mullen Masonic Lodge of which he was past master.  He was also a member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge No. 985 of North Platte.  He was a past member of the Mullen Town Board and had served for several years on the Cemetery Board at Mullen.  Survivors include his widow, Betty; two sons, Eddie and Daniel, both of Mullen; a daughter, Mrs. Allen (Sharon Kay) Bergmeier of Kearney; a brother, Barney of Bagdad, Ariz.; and a sister, Mrs. Jeffie DeFusco of Phoenix, Ariz.

Services will be at 1 p.m. MST Saturday at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church at Mullen with the Rev Charles Morgan officiating.  Burial will be in Cedarview Cemetery at Mullen.  A memorial has been established to St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church or to the Cemetery Fund.  Mr. Gibson’s body will lie in state at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday after which the casket will be closed.  Mullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Joe Gibson Laid to Rest

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Services for Joe Gibson, which mention we carried last week, were held Saturday at 2 o’clock, the Rev Shay of Alliance, conducted the service in the St. Joseph’s Episcopal Ch.  Mrs. Glenna Buchfinck sang, accompanied by Mrs. Virginia Eriksen, at the organ.  Interment was in the Cedarview Cemetery, Mullen, with David Walker in charge of the burial.

The pallbearers were Donald Carr, LeRoy Borders, William Pearson, Roanald Carr, Willis Wakely, Albert French.  Honorary pallbearers:  Lloyd L. Ginkens, Ray Henry Sexton, Jim Ginkens, Dennis Fleson, Geo. Maire, Ivan Boyer, Don Sullivan and Raymond Ridenour.  The obituary reads:

Joe “Mike” was born May 14, 1931, at Mullen, Nebraska, and passed away January 31, 1951, age 19 years, 8 months and 17 days, at the St. Joseph’s Hospital at Alliance, Nebraska.  He was laid “at rest” in Cedarview Cemetery, February 3, 1951, following a service at St. Joseph’s Episcopal  Church at Mullen, Nebraska.  The same church in which he was baptised, confirmed and attended Sunday school and church services.  He had also attended the Altar at All Saints Episcopal Church at Eclipse, Nebraska, as well as his own church, when needed.

His entire school life was spent in Mullen Grade School and Hooker County High School at Mullen, Nebraska.  He graduated with the Class of 1949, which he served as class president.  He delivered the Salutatory at the Commencement program.  When a Junior in High School he was chosen a member of Boys State and attended their session in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Since then he was intensely interested in Government affairs of not only our own nation, but of the whole world.

He played basketball in both grade and high school and since graduating, on the Town Team and acted as referee for the High School games.

He liked to hunt, fish, swim and any other sports available to him.  He played the baritone in the high school band for five years and was a member of the boy’s chorus.  He took part in the school plays and entertainments and served willingly in public benefit performances, and was always ready to do his share in all school, church, and public affairs.  He had traveled over most of the United States and some of Canada and was interested and enjoyed learning and seeing everything.

He started stamp collecting while very young and maintained his interest in it, always working over his stamps when he found time to do it.

After graduation he entered the cattle business with his brother Barney and their father and liked the out-door life and riding the range.

He leaves to mourn his death, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Gibson of Mullen, Nebraska; his brother, John A. Gibson Jr., and wife betty of Mullen, Nebraska; his sister, Shirley, (Mrs. Wm. J. Wuelzer) and husband Bill, of ElCerrito, California; his sister Jeffie (Mrs. Darrell R. McMannis) and husband “Mac,” of Iuka, Kansas; his brother Barney Bill Gibson of the United States Army, Fort Riley, Kansas; his grandfather, Wm. Gibson of Mullen, Nebraska and other relatives and friends who knew him and loved him.

“Death is not extinguishing the light; It is putting out the lamp because dawn has come.”