Mrs. O. C. Thompson, formerly of this city, died at her home in Grand Island at 11 o’clock Sunday morning, after an illness of several years with cancer, the last year being bedfast. The funeral services were held at the family residence at 722 West Koenig street at 2:30 Monday afternoon and the body was taken to Janesville, Ia., her old home, for burial yesterday. Sarah McMurray was born at Rockville, Pa., November 2nd, 1865, so was not yet 57 at the time of her death. While she was but a small girl the family moved to Janesville, Ia., where she was married to O. C. Thompson on November 8th, 1898. They made their home in this city for about 14 years, moving from here to Grand Island, where they have since resided. Besides her husband, she leaves one sister, Mrs. Van Buskirk of Kingsley, Ia.; one brother, Michael McMurray of Janesville, Ia.; and four stepchildren, Leslie Thompson of Omaha; Kenneth Thomson of Grand Island; Aubrey Thompson of this city, and Mrs. Carrie Rogers of Grand Island. Mrs. Thompson was a devoted member of the Methodist church, which she joined when a girl of thirteen years. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Rebekahs, and W. R. C., the Star having charge of the funeral services.

# 2 - - Printed in the July 26, 1923 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

MRS. O. C. THOMPSON DIED AT GRAND ISLAND

News reached Blair that Mrs. O. C. Thompson died at 11 a.m. Sunday at her home in Grand Island after being confined to her bed for thirteen months with cancer of the stomach.

Sarah McMurray was born at Rockville, Pa., Nov. 2, 1865, and at the age of thirteen years united with the Methodist church to which she was always a faithful and devout member, her religion being depicted in her every day life. She was generous and kind-hearted and her greatest joy was in helping others.

She was married November 8, 1898, to O. C. Thompson and for many years they made their home in Blair where Mrs. Thompson was loved by all who knew her.

In 1914 Mrs. Thompson moved to Grand Island where Mr. Thompson was engaged in business and where she had since resided. A year ago last June she was taken to her bed from which she never arose. Her last visit, the night before she became confined to her bed, was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. Ray Gates, who had just moved to Grand Island, and with whom a warm friendship existed from the time both families lived in Blair. She was never tired of talking of and hearing about Blair people. She had a strong attachment for them, and a month ago, when it was thought she could not possibly survive but a few hours, she would repeat that she wanted to live until Mrs. L. A. Williams and Mr. Selden came to see her, as they had promised to do when they started to California, and when they did come, she felt that she was ready to leave this world.

Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Eastern Star, Rebekahs and the W. R. C., all of which had active support. Mrs. Thompson was a woman whose life was an inspiration to others and whose memory will be sacred to her family. There survives her husband; four step-children, Leslie Thompson of Omaha; Aubrey of Blair; Kenneth of Grand Island; and Mrs. Carrie Rogers also of Grand Island, who lived at home and during the past year, her life had been one of unselfish devotion to her step-mother – the only mother she ever knew - - and one who idolized Carrie in return. A brief funeral service was held at the home on Monday afternoon, her pastor, Rev. J. Henry Stitt, delivering the discourse, while the Eastern Star and other organizations of which she was a member were present. The body was taken to Jamesville, Iowa, where interment was made on Tuesday.

There are many friends in Blair who will mourn the departure of this noble woman. #3 26 July, 1923 - The Enterprise - Mrs. O. C. Thompson

FORMER BLAIR WOMAN ANSWERS CALL

Word was received in Blair the first of the week of the death of Mrs. O. C. Thompson at her home in Grand Island on Sunday, July 22, at noon.

The Thompson family lived in Blair for a number of years, Mr. O. C. Thompson conducting the Bee Hive store on the corner of 5th and Washington streets.

Mrs. Thompson has been an invalid for a number of years, having been confined to her bed with the dread disease, cancer, for the past years.

The body was taken to Janesville, Iowa, her old home, for burial.

Besides the husband, there remains to mourn her demise four stepchildren who have known her as a kind and loving mother to them. They are Mrs. Carrie Rogers of Grand Island, Aubrey Thompson of Blair, Leslie of Omaha and Kenneth of Grand Island.

The deceased had many warm friends among Blair people who will regret her passing.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #42677441