Bertha J. McManigal Died At Hospital Early Wednesday

Bertha J. McManigal, a lifetime resident of Washington County, died early Wednesday at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. She was 93 years of age, having been born August 21, 1880. She was born at Kennard, the daughter of county pioneers, John and Belle Wilds Dulany.

She grew to womanhood in the Blair area and was married September 21, 1908 to Joe McManigal. To this union seven children were born, five of whom survive. Her husband preceded her in death.

The surviving daughters are Mrs. Frank M. Hightree (Nelle) of Lyons, Neb.; Mrs. Clyde E. McDonald (Dorothy) of Blair; and Mrs. J. C. Rolan (Jane) of Des Moines, Ia.

The sons are Keith McManigal, of waterloo, Nebraska and Joe McManigal, of Blair. There are 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

As a young woman Mrs. McManigal was employed for a time by the late Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Crowell as a maid at their mansion which until recently stood on west Grant street in Blair. Later she was associated with the late Annie O’Brien McCracken at Blair’s first hospital which was located just south of the City Hall.

She possessed a sharp mind and a good memory and as time went on she became recognized as a historian of early events and buildings in the city.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church in Blair with the service conducted by the Rev. Gordon Pattersen. Burial will be made in the Blair Cemetery under the direction of the Campbell Mortuary.

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

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