The death of little Ella Mencke, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Claus Mencke, which occurred last Friday night, was a shock to the many friends of the family, as she was not known to be dangerously ill. Ella would have been nine years old in July. She was an extremely bright and lovable child, always like a ray of sunshine wherever she went. She was a pupil in Mrs. Stewart’s room, third grade, and will be missed by teacher and school mates. This has cast a gloom over the home of Sheriff Mencke which time only can soften. Her case was not considered dangerous by the attending physicians until it had developed into the worst form of diphtheria. The funeral was from the residence last Saturday, Rev. Barton officiating. The Republican joins many friends of Sheriff Mencke and family in extending deepest sympathy.

#2-May 22, 1899- The Pilot- Ella Mencke

The sad news of the death of Ella Mencke, the eight year old child of Sheriff Mencke, reached us Saturday morning. Little Ella was an extremely bright and lovable child, old beyond her years. About a week ago she was taken down to her bed with a sore throat which finally developed into diphtheria. Under the care of Drs. Stewart and Palmer she had every attention, but the case proved hopeless and death claimed its own Friday night. Little Ella was in Mrs. Stewart’s room in school, third grade, where she will be missed for her bright sunny ways, as well as in her own home. The remains were interred in the Blair cemetery Saturday afternoon and were followed there by many sorrowing friends. The Pilot joins the many friends of Sheriff Mencke and family in extending heartfelt sympathy.

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

FindaGrave # 111848537