Fred Stevens, who resided on a farm four miles east of Farnam, died at a Holdrege hospital Saturday morning following a long illness. At the time of his death was 69 years of age and had been a resident of this community since 1884, at which time he came here with his parents from his birthplace at Bentonsport, Iowa.

Funeral rites were held at the Evangelical church in Eustis on Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Walter Lenz and interment was in the Farnam Cemetery.

The Farnam Press, 1(40):1 Thursday, June 26, 1941

Fred Stevens passed away last Saturday following an illness of 11 days. Critically ill, he was taken Saturday morning to the Holdrege hospital for blood transfusions in an effort to save his life, but little response followed and he died that afternoon.

Mr. Stevens, who was 69 years of age, was born at Bentonsport, Ia. With his parents and brothers he came in 1884 to the Eustis vicinity where he has since resided.

Surviving are his wife, a son, Bobby Stevens, step children, Tom Mitchell of Denver; Mrs. Emmett Oldfather of Lexington, and Mrs. Wm. Brandendorf of Nebraska City.

Rites were held Tuesday afternoon at the Evangelical Church, local pastor Rev. Walter Lenz officiating.

Miss Phyllis Hueftle play the accompaniment for Clarence Brauer, Soloist, who sang “The Old Rugged Cross”, also the accompaniment for Edwin, John A., Otto and Fred Hueftle who sang “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me,” and “Resting Now.”

Pallbearers were Christ Buehner, Ed Rieker, Wm. Wolf, Gott. Schultheiss, Christ Gaibler, Louis Smith

Interment was in the Farnam Cemetery.

Fred Allen Stevens, son of George Parker and Sarah Ellen (Kelley) Stevens, was born June 30, 1872 at Bentonsport, VanBuren County, Iowa, and passed away at Holdrege, Nebr., on June 21, 1941, at the age of 68 years, 11 months, and 21 days.

He resided in Iowa until he was about 11 years of age, then came with his parents to Frontier County, Nebr., in the spring of 1884, and settled on a homestead 4 miles west of Eustis. The country at that time was very new and undeveloped.

In 1893, he was left fatherless by an assassin’s bullet, but he continued to reside on the homestead and care for his widowed mother.

On Sept. 18, 1918, he married Della Mitchell and moved to the farm where he has since resided until death called him to a better home.

To this union one son was born, Robert Allen.

With his passing goes another of the few remaining pioneers, who suffered many hardships, when they took great open spaces—virgin sod—dirth of neighbors and doctors—drouths and grasshoppers and made it into the highly developed country we now enjoy.

Willingly he did his share in this upbuilding and though discouragements were many he never quit his post, or laid a burden on another that he could bear himself.

He was a very unassuming man and always under estimated his own good deeds.

He was a friend to all and especially to those in need. Many can enumerate his kindly words and ministering hands, which so willingly gave unstinted of material things for their benefit.

He was a friend to the friendless and a true neighbor in every sense of the word.

He lived a clean upright life and his friends are legion.

His parents, two brothers, Elmer and Finley and one sister Lizzie have preceded him in death.

His wife, Della, one son, Robert, 2 step daughters, Mrs. Vera Brandorff of Nebraska City, and Mrs. Jane Oldfather of Lexington and one stepson, Thomas Mitchell of Denver; 8 step grandchildren; 2 nieces, 2 nephews as well as a host of friends are left to mourn his passing. —Eustis News.

The Farnam Press, 1(41):4 Thursday, July 3, 1941