#1-Printed in the July 9, 1931 Pilot-Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Pioneer Resident Dies on Saturday

Mrs. DeTemple Had Lived in Nebraska Since 1856 Mrs. Catherine F. DeTemple, pioneer Nebraskan and a resident of Blair for more than sixty years, died early Saturday morning in the house on east Grant street into which she had moved as a bride in 1873. Mrs. DeTemple, who was 81 years of age at the time of her death, had been a resident of Nebraska since 1856. Her death came as after an illness of several months although she had been confined to her bed for only a few weeks. With her when she died were a son, Frank J. of Los Angeles, Calif., and a brother, James Murray of Blair, who made his home with his sister.

Funeral services were held at 9:30 Monday morning from St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church with Rev. George Jonaitis officiating. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery.

As Catherine F. Murray, Mrs. DeTemple was born in New York and came with her parents to Jackson, Dakota county, Nebraska in 1856. A few years later she moved to Blair, and was a member of the first, if not the first class organized in the Blair school.

She was married in 1873 to George P. DeTemple at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. For many years he was actively identified with the business life of Blair while Mrs. DeTemple was equally active in women’s work here. She was a charter member of the ladies aid, society, a relief organization, and served for many years as an officer.

She is survived by two sons, George C. of Roswell, New Mexico, and Frank J., of Los Angeles, as well as by a brother, Mr. Murray and a sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Wonderly of Alder, Montana. Because of the serious illness of his wife, George was unable to attend the funeral, while her advanced age prevented Mrs. Wonderly from coming here for the rites.

#2-9 July, 1931 - The Enterprise

MRS. DE TEMPLE ANSWERS CALL

Mrs. George P. DeTemple, aged 81 years, passed away at her home on Grant street on July 4th after an illness of about four months.

Catherine F. Murray was born in New York City in 1850 of Irish parentage, and when but six years of age, moved with her parents to Jackson, Nebraska and later to Blair in about 1871. She obtained her early education in Blair, going to school in a little building on the ground where Dr. Murdoch’s office now stands.

In 1871 she was married to George P. DeTemple, the ceremony being performed at Plattsmouth. Returning to Blair they moved into the home where for fifty eight years she resided, and where both she and her husband passed away.

Coming to the state as a pioneer settler, she had a store of early experiences which were very remarkable. She was active in the early social history of the town, and was a charter member of the Monday Afternoon Club and also of the Ladies Aid Society. Interest in social topics kept her alert and up to the end she was up-to-date in the latest civic news of importance. She was indeed an interesting and admirable character, and will be missed by her circle of friends.

She leaves to mourn her death two sons, George C. of Roswell, New Mexico and Frank of Los Angeles, California, also a brother, James Murray who has made his home with her, and a sister, Mary Ann Wonderly of Alden, Montana.

The funeral services were held at 9:30 a.m. from the Catholic church on Monday, July 6, with Father Jonaitis officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

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

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