RITES PLANNED FRIDAY FOR MRS. ARNDT

PROMINENT IN CHURCH WORK AND POLITICAL CIRCLES

The death of Mrs. F.W. Arndt occurred Tuesday at 11:30 P.M. She had been in failing health for some time and the recent death of her only son, Dr. C. Ray Gates, aggravated her troubles.

Deceased was a woman of ability. She had had years of newspaper experience and had made a state reputation as a writer. She was justly termed the Ella Wheeler Wilcox of Nebraska.

As Annie Vio Gates, she was born in Wisconsin, April 9, 1864, and spent her girlhood days in Iowa. In 1885 she was married to J.L. Gates, Kansas, Missouri Pacific railroad station agent. In 1897 he died, leaving her with a son, C. Ray Gates.

She turned to newspaper work for a living, serving as associate editor of the Auburn Granger. After her arrival in Blair, she was employed at the Enterprise, then owned and edited by L.F. Hilton. Later she was the city editor of The Tribune until her marriage to Mr. Arndt, on February 6, 1924, just twenty-one years before her death.

Her weekly column, “Glimpses of Nature,” was widely read and brought her much attention. She was also known for her poetry and her literary works have appeared in many news periodicals and magazines.

She held office as a member of the school board while residing in Kansas and was given a complimentary vote as mayor while living in Auburn. After coming to Blair, she became prominent in political fields and served for sixteen years as vice-chairman of the County Central Republican Committee.

She was a member of the O.E.S. of Blair, of the Wilde Woods Circle, the Washington County Historical Society, and of the Methodist Church. She was a great lover of flowers and birds.

Mrs. Arndt, in her gracious manner and her courteous entertainment, drew many friends to her and the list of those who will miss her is legion and the hearts of those who have gathered in the Arndt home for social events go out in sympathy to the bereaved husband, who in his advanced age is heart-broken over his loss.

Mrs. Arndt was a good wife, a good friend, a conscientious and devout Christian, and this combined with a high intelligence and a cultured mind, places her in a class that is admired and loved by those who really knew her.

Passing as she did on their 21st wedding anniversary seems tragic to those who knew of the beautiful and harmonious life Mr. and Mrs. Arndt had enjoyed.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Friday) at 2:00 P.M. from the Methodist church and interment will be made in the Blair Cemetery.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #113533833