A well-known and popular Cozad woman, Mrs. Frances V. Stear, passed away at an Omaha hospital Thursday afternoon after a short illness. Her sudden death was a shock to the entire community.

A resident of this community for many years, Mrs. Stear was active in many groups and organizations and had long been admired and respected by her countless friends throughout the area. She was sixty years of age.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Cozad with Reverend J. Russell Mead officiating. Music was highlighted by Mrs. Clarence Kauffman and Mrs. Harlan Welch with Mrs. William Staton at the organ.

Casket bearers included Harlan Iliff, Norton Adle, Arthur Ballmer, Harlan Welch, Art Keiswetter and Willard Hart. Interment was in the Cozad Cemetery.

Mrs. Stear is survived by two sons, Ronald and Roger, both of Cozad; two daughters, Mrs. Ivan Paulsen of Cozad and Mrs. Richard Bowen of Bellevue, Nebraska; two brothers, Fordyce Kerr of Independence, Missouri and Gary Kerr of Largo, Florida; three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Walters, Mrs. Catherine Kinman and Mrs. Georgia Elder, all of Cassville, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren and many other relatives in addition to countless friends.

The Cozad Local, Wednesday, August 23, 1967, page 6.

Frances Valentine Stear was born on February 14, 1907 to Byron and Mattie Thompson Kerr on a farm south of Farnam. She died at Clarkson Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, on the 17th of August, 1967, at the age of 60 years, six months, and three days.

She received her elementary education in a rural school, and was graduated from Farnam High School in 1924. She later attended Lincoln School of Commerce and the University of Nebraska. She taught school for a while before her marriage and in the years following the death of her husband in 1958.

She was married on March 31, 1929 to Lawrence P. Stear. They moved to the Stear family farm northeast pf Cozad, where they lived most of their years together.

Four children were born to bless this union: Ronald, Roger, Shirley, Mrs. Ivan Paulsen, all of Cozad; and Sharon, Mrs. Richard Bowen of Bellevue, Nebraska.

Those who preceeded her in death are: her husband, Lawrence, on January 30, 1958 and her parents.

She was a member of Eastern Star, Meridian Chapter 74; BPO Does, Drove 177; Dawson County Teacher's Association.

Frances became a member of First Evangelical United Brethern Church by Confession of Faith on April 5, 1931, under the patorate of H. A. Hagemeier. She was a loyal member of the church, having responsibilities in the children's youth and adult activities. She was Lay Member to two Annual Conference sessions.

Funeral services were held at the First Evangelical United Brethern Church, on August 12, 1967, with the Rev. J. Russell Mead, officiating. Music was furnished by Mrs. Harlan Welch and Mrs. Clarence Kauffman with Mrs. Wm. Staton at the organ. Casket bearers were Harlan Iliff, Arthur Ballmer, Art Keiswetter, Norton Adle, Harlan Welch and Willard Hart. Interment was in the Cozad Cemetery with Berryman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33:27

The Cozad Local, Wednesday, August 30, 1967, page 7.