LONG TIME BLAIR WOMAN IS STRICKEN

Mrs. Don C. Van Deusen Passes, Closing Active and useful Career

ACTIVE CLUB WOMAN

Mrs. Don C, Van Deusen, who for some time has been in poor health, passed away at the home on West Grant street Monday evening, July 22. She had some weeks ago suffered a broken ankle which necessitated the putting of the injured member in a cast, but she was cheerful and apparently getting along. A neighbor lady had been with her up to twenty minutes before 6 p.m., and had gone home to look after her home duties. Mr. Van Deusen, reaching home at 6 o-chock, found her dead.

Deceased was born on a farm in the Garryowen neighborhood below Fort Calhoun, but the family moved to Fort Calhoun where they lived for two years and then moved to Blair where her father was identified in the coal and lumber business with the late John McQuarrie.

She was educated in the Blair schools from which she graduated, and for several years following her graduation she was her father’s bookkeeper, later entering the services of the Banking House of A. Cassetter where she worked herself up to the position of assistant cashier.

She left the bank and was married to Don C. Van Deusen August 23, 1899, and until he sold the Pilot to the Tribune and The Enterprise in 1929, she acted as his proofreader and bookkeeper.

She was a devout member of the Congregational church serving as treasurer for many years and was also the treasurer of the Ladies Social Union of that church at the time of her death.

She had served as a member of, and as secretary of, the Blair Public Library since the new building was opened, and was treasurer of the Christian Joint Relief Society for a long term of years.

She was an active member of the Order of the Easter Star and also acted as its treasurer for many years. In fact she was known for her public spirit and her interest in all worthwhile organizations. Never having had children, she gave of her talents to the church and the community in which she lived, and her influence was always felt and her opinions highly regarded.

She was a wide reader and had written several short stories and poems and one novel, all of which were regarded as worthwhile.

In the passing of Mrs. Van Deusen, Blair loses a real personage. Always sincere and of honest convictions, charitable in her opinions of others and helpful to all, she leaves only loving memories to fill the hearts of a host of friends. She leaves her husband, Don C. Van Deusen, to mourn the loss of a loving wife and companion.

The funeral services were held at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon from the Congregational church with Rev. A. F. Newell of Lincoln officiating, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery where the Order of the Eastern Star conducted the ceremonies.

#2-Pilot Tribune 25 July 1935

Mrs. Don C. Van Deusen, 64, Is Buried

Prominent Blair Woman, Wife of Former Pilot Editor, Succumbs.

Many Present At Rites Yesterday

Native of Indiana, Mrs. Van Deusen Had Been County Resident Most of Life; Prominent in Blair and Nebraska Women’s Circles

Mrs. Don C. Van Deusen, 64, wife of the local manager of the National Re-Employment Service and well-known in women’s activities here and over the state, died shortly before 6 o’clock Monday evening at the Van Deusen home on west Grant street. Her death came as a shock because, although, she had not been in the best of health recently, her condition was regarded as far from serious.

As Minnie Wiseman, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John F. Wiseman, she was born December 18, 1870, at Salem, Indiana. However, she had spent practically all her life in Washington county Nebraska.

Moved to Fort Calhoun

The Wiseman family came to a farm in the neighborhood now known as Garryowen shortly after Mrs. Van Deusen was born. Later they moved into Fort Calhoun. One of Mrs. Van Deusen’s playmates there was Willie Crounse, whose father, Judge Lorenzo Crounse, was later to become governor of Nebraska.

Father a Lumberman

Two years later the family came to Blair, where Mr. Wiseman entered the lumber business with the late John McQuarrie at what is now the Christensen Lumber company. Mrs. Van Deusen served here as bookkeeper for several years before entering The Banking House of A. Castetter, where she eventually became assistant cashier.

She resigned from her bank position to be married to Captain Don. C. Van Deusen on August 23, 1899, shortly after he returned from service in the Spanish-American war.

Helped on Newspaper

Mr. Van Deusen became editor and publisher of The Pilot, Washington county’s oldest newspaper, and built it into one of the strongest republican organs in this section of Nebraska. Mrs. Van Deusen assisted with proofreading and bookkeeping on the paper until it was sold to the late T. T. Ostermar and Alfred O. Sick, in February, 1929, and was merged as the Pilot Tribune.

Before entering business in Blair, Mrs. Van Deusen had graduated from Blair high school with the class of 1887, and attended Carleton college in Northfield, Minnesota, one year.

In Congregational Church

Long a staunch member of the local Congregational church, Mrs. Van Deusen had served as its treasurer for many years. She also held the same position with the Ladies’ Social Union of that church.

She had served as member and secretary of the Blair public library board since the building was opened in 1916. She was treasurer of the Christian Joint Relief society for a long time.

Mrs. Van Deusen belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, and had also served as treasurer of that organization. Having no children, she gave her talents to church and community.

Long a Club Member

Long a member of the Monday Afternoon Club, local literary society, Mrs. Van Deusen has served during her membership as secretary, treasurer, vice-president and president at various times. She had belonged to the club since graduating from high school.

Always a wide reader, she had written one full-length novel and many short stories and poems, some of which received favorable mention when published.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Congregational church, Rev. Arthur F. Newell of Lincoln, until recently pastor here, officiated. The Eastern Star had charge of burial services in the Blair cemetery.

I Had a Little Home

I had a little home, I loved it well, And as its walls decayed from time to time, I built them up, and deemed it pleasant task. One night a storm swept over, and my house Lay wrecked beyond repair. I mourned, and yet Upon that very spot I built a new And fairer dwelling, lived in it with joy. So when the storms of death shall raze to earth This little house of flesh where I now dwell, Shall not the deathless spirit build again It’s home, a better, fairer than the old And joy to live therein.

Minnie W. Van Deusen, Blair, Neb., August 1923

To Her Friends

With all my heart I thank you For the beautiful tokens sent It shows how much you loved her, It makes me feel content. Love is broader than the ocean, And deeper than the sea; We’re proud and glad to share it. Love knows no jealousy. I should be glad to tell each one, And shake you by the hand, But there are so many of you, I know you’ll understand. The gift you made was laden With the memories of years; I know you really loved her, I saw it through the tears. The gift of flowers will wither, The love is always now; And richer in the after years. It will come back to you.

Don C. Van Deusen, Blair, Nebr., July 25, 1935.

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

FindaGrave #119853650