Jesse E. Slack Died Suddenly Friday, July 23

His Death a Great Shock to Friends and Relatives

Business was suspended Monday afternoon for the funeral service for Jesse E. Slack, prominent Tekamah auctioneer and business man, who died suddenly in Tekamah last Friday afternoon.

Mr. Slack had not felt well Thursday night but was up and about his usual activities Friday morning, and his sudden death, apparently from a heart attack, was a great shock to members of his family, his relatives and many friends.

The funeral service was held at the Schafer & Peck funeral home Monday afternoon, with Rev. Paul Wiegman, pastor of the Emmanuel Lutheran church here, in charge.

The mortuary could not hold the host of mourners who assembled for the service. The beautiful flowers and many other tokens of friendship told of the high esteem in which Mr. Slack was held by his many friends.

The service included the singing of "Beautiful Garden of Prayer" and "No Night There" by Mrs. Alvin Bruce. She was accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Paul Wiegman.

Pallbearers, all close friends of Mr. Slack, were: Viggo Keldgaard, Clyde Olson, Fred Garner, George Thomas, Clifford E. Nelson and Rognar Peterson. Burial was made at the Craig Cemetery.

Jesse Earlen Slack was born May 16, 1888 at Admah, Nebraska, Washington County, and passed away in Tekamah July 23, 1954 at the age of 66 years, two months and seven days.

He was the son of Samuel I. and Nora Ann (Gossard) Slack. He moved to Burt county with his parents in early childhood and attended school in Burt county and college at Wayne, Nebraska. He also attended auction school in Kansas City, Missouri.

August 4, 1909 he was united in marriage to Millicent J. Bowen. To this union, one son, Dayle Samuel, was born.

Mr. Slack engaged in farming in the Bertha community, and in 1916 entered the auction business. He moved to Tekamah in 1927, where he continued his action business, and since 1940, has also been Tekamah representative for DeKalb seed corn.

He was a member of the National Auctioneer Association, Tekamah Lions Club and Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben.

His son, Dayle, preceded him in death August 23, 1953. Surviving relatives are his wife; brother, B.J. Slack of Yreka, California; his grandson, Larry; daughter-in-law, Gayle Slack of Tekamah; six step-sisters; one step-brother; four nephews and one niece.

J.E. Slack loved to spread happiness and he was always among the first to contribute toward the needs of a friend in trouble.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Tekamah Lions club, and last fall gladly donated his time and talents to take charge of the Lions club auction, funds from which were used to spread cheer and happiness to the aged and needy at Christmastime.

Children, too, knew his generous spirit, for Mr. Slack bought barrels of candy and cases of gum which he gave generously to the youngsters.

He was enthusiastic about Tekamah and ready and willing to lend a hand in the promotion of worthwhile projects for his home community. His advertisement and picture on another page of this Centennial issue, in a section printed before his sudden death, is symbolic of his cooperation in Tekamah's Centennial and pride in his record as a successful auctioneer and business man.

He will be sadly missed in this community, where he has served faithfully for so many years.

Out-of-town persons who attended the funeral services for J.E. Slack Monday were H.J. Slack of Yreka, California, Mr. and Mrs. John Slack of McLean, Nebraska, Mrs. Julia Slack, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Neuman and Mrs. Otis Wilson of Mason City, Nebraska, Maxine Slack of Fort Morgan, Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sukstorf, Mr. Clara Brand, Mrs. Amelia Brand, Harold and Oscar Brand, R.A. McWhorter and Clayton LeGrande, all of Fremont, Nebraska, Mrs. Mae Spangler, Mrs. V.A. Stroh, Mrs. Morris Boyle and Bill Brand of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson of Fairbury, Mrs. Luverne Foulk of Nebraska City, Mr. and Mrs. Park Constable of Inglewood, California, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Irvin, Mrs. and Mrs. Chas. Busse and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Osterndorff of Omaha.

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

FindaGrave #109633837