# 1 - - Enterprise 4 Dec 1924

Marjory Anne McKeen Gone

Little Marjory Anne McKeen, three year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy McKeen of this city, died suddenly Friday at 3 A.M. at the Blair hospital.

The little one was taken ill at noon on Thursday and went into convulsions. She was taken to the hospital where everything possible was done for her relief but to no avail.

She was the younger of two sisters in the McKeen family and had grown into the affections of the family and friends in such a manner that will leave sweet memories of her baby mannerisms which will linger long.

The shock to the immediate family is indeed hard to bear and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to them in their bereavement.

The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. O. U. McProud officiating and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

# 2 - - Pilot 3 Dec 1924

Mr. and Mrs. Roy McKeen lost their baby daughter, Marjorie Anna, very suddenly last week. She was taken sick with an obstruction of the bowels in the forenoon of Thanksgiving day and died at about 3 o’clock Friday morning, despite everything that could be done to save her life. The funeral was conducted at the house at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon by Rev. O. U. McProud, pastor of the Methodist church. Marjorie was born Octo. 2nd, 1921, so was just past three years of age. She was a very sweet and attractive little Miss and to be taken so suddenly was a very sad blow to her parents, relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. A. Freeland, of Chicago, Dr. and Mrs. F. H. Kinyoun and a number of other relatives were here from Omaha for the funeral service.

# 3 - - Tribune, December 4, 1924

THANKSGIVING DARKENED BY DEATH OF CHILD

Thanksgiving day will always hold sad thoughts in the hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Roy McKeen of this city, for it was on that day than an All Wise Creator took from them their three-year-old baby girl. Mr. and Mrs. McKeen with their daughters, Frances and Marjorie, were at the home of Mrs. W. R. McKeen, where they had planned on partaking of a Thanksgiving dinner, with thoughts of joy welling through their beings and thankfulness that they had been privileged to become the parents of two sweet children on which they were lavishing all the love that fond and devoted parents were capable of.

Among the happiest of the gathering was little Marjorie Ann, who, as usual, was made much of and delighted the hearts of her relatives with her childish sayings. But the joy of being together was to be short. Dinner had not been served when little Marjorie complained of not feeling well and before physicians could be summoned she went into convulsions. Everything possible was done to relieve the sufferings of the little thing and as a last resort in the early hours of the following morning she was carried to the local hospital where it was hoped the administering of last resource measures would prolong her life.

But it was not to be. Little Marjorie’s soul was called back to its Giver, who had only loaned it to Roy and Amelia, and in less than an hour the lifeless little body was returned to the home of its Grandma McKeen - - where the visit of the previous day had promised so much. Here the lifeless little form was later arrayed in a pretty white dress, adorned with cascades of ruffles that its mother’s loving hands had spent many minutes on, and laid in a beautiful white casket.

Sunday morning the remains were removed to the home of the child’s parents from which place the funeral was held at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, four small young ladies, Louise and Fredericka Matthiesen, Gretchen Mummert and Marie Sas, acting as pallbearers, and Rev. O.U. McProud of the Methodist church having charge of the services.

Marjorie Ann was born October 2, 1921, and at the time of her death was a trifle over three years of age. She was the idol of her parents and relatives, and was one of the sweetest children it has ever been our pleasure to know. Everyone loved her, and the mountain of flowers laid at her bier was a mute testimony of the love and sympathy of neighbors and friends for these bereaved parents and relatives. The death created in a home where a child is called can only be realized by those who have suffered similarly.

The child’s mother was unable to accompany the remains to their last resting place on account of an attack of chicken pox, and only those who felt they were immune or had had the malady were allowed in the home during the service.

Seldom has there been a funeral cortege as large as the one that followed this little child to the grave, a tribute not only to its memory but a showing of genuine sympathy for the bereaved family that will endure in their hearts as long as time lasts. For his words of cheer and comfort, Rev. McProud took his theme from the following: “Fold her, O Father, in Thine arms, And let her henceforth be A messenger of love between Our human hearts and Thee.”

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the date of a news article was used.

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