Pauline E. Messersmith, 84, of North Platte died Nov. 3, 2003, at Great Plains Regional Medical Center.

She was born March 8, 1919, to Harold and Ethel LaBounty Ealy on the family farm near Moorefield. She graduated from Moorefield High School in 1936. She then attended business college in Grand Island. She worked in the government ag office in Stockville for three years. During World War II, she worked at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

On May 2, 1944, she married Leonard Messersmith in Oberlin, Kan. She worked on the election board for many years and was a Sunday school teacher and secretary for several years at the Foursquare Church. Mrs. Messersmith cleaned house for many older people throughout the years and enjoyed helping others. She loved her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband; two sons, Marion (Mary) Messersmith of Los Alamos, N.M., and Allan (Penny) Messersmith of North Platte; a sister, Jeannette Garner of Curtis; a brother, Rex (Donna) Ealy of Moorefield; 10 grandchildren, including Christine Smith, Scott, Shawn, Steve, Peter, Eric, Gregg, Alexandra and Dylan Messersmith and Sara Musselman; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a son, Francis, in 1980.

A memorial has been established to the church. Services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lighthouse Foursquare Church with the Rev. Jerry Skinner officiating. Burial will be in Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from noon to 9 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.

North Platte Telegraph