With this issue we are called upon to record the sudden death of John Sas, Sr., who during the past seven years has made many substantial friends among our people. John Sas was born in Mecklenburg, Germany Dec. 25, 1825. He came to America in 1854. He lived 12 years in Michigan, 13 years in Boone, Iowa and 15 years in Harrison county, Iowa where he owned a farm near Woodbine. He came to Nebraska in 1894, and has since lived in Blair. He was buried this afternoon at 2 o’clock from the German Lutheran church, he having been a member all his life. The funeral services were in charge of Rev. Frese of Omaha, and Rev. C. Poeckler of Randolph. Mr. Sas had been in good health until a few days before his death when he took a cold that resulted in pneumonia, and Tuesday morning before many of his friends knew that he was sick he had gone to his reward. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his demise.

#2-Blair Courier, January 2, 1902

After an illness of but eight days, John Sas, sr., died of plural pneumonia at the home of his son, Rudolph, Tuesday afternoon at 2:55 o’clock. His wife and all the children now living were at his bedside and shortly before the end came, he bade them all a last farewell. This done he said he was ready to go and shortly after, the death angel came quietly in to bear his spirit home to its Maker.

The funeral will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon and after a short service at the house the body will be taken to the German Lutheran church where the public services will be held. Rev. E.J. Frese, of Omaha, will speak in German and Rev. C. Poeckler, of Randolph, Neb., will speak in English.

Mr. Sas was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, December 26, 1825, and came to Romeo, Mich., in ’54. In that same year he was married to Miss Marie Moether and in ’66 moved to Boone, Ia., then to Harrison county, Ia., in ’77, coming to this state six years ago. Seven children were born to them, five sons, William, Henry, Rudolph, John and Ferdinand, and two daughters, Ida and Bertha, now Mrs. F. L. Parish, all of whom are now living except Ida, Mrs. Wm. Donner, whose death occurred a few years ago.

Mr. Sas was a devoted and faithful member of the Evangelical German Lutheran church and a kind and loving husband and father. In about two years Mr. and Mrs. Sas would have celebrated their golden wedding and they had already looked forward to that happy event which cannot now take place. The aged wife is bearing up bravely but her great sorrow has come and only the voice of the Great Comforter can soothe its bitter pangs.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #114116716