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PEA GREEN - Longtime Pea Green area farmer and stockman, Leland W. BERGER, age 82, died Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2001, at his home near Pea Green. Leland died just the way he wanted - in his home surrounded by his loving family - his wife, children and grandchildren.
Leland W. BERGER, the son of Jacob C. and Mary Ann (MAROLF) BERGER, was born on July 18, 1918, in Towner, Colo., where he spent his childhood years, received his education, and grew to adulthood. He really enjoyed working in the summers in the Rocky Mountain National Park for the Park Service.
After graduating from high school, he joined his family in the operation of their farm near Towner.
During World War II, Leland proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corp from Jan. 14, 1942 to Oct. 12, 1945. He served in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters.
Following his discharge from the U.S. military service, Leland continued to pursue his education at Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University, in Fort Collins.
On February 8, 1958, Leland was joined in marriage, for a lifetime partnership, with Helen L. HOBBS at Oklahoma City, Okla. They were the parents of seven children and would have shared 43 years of marriage on Feb. 8, 2001.
When Leland went to the service, his parents sold their farm near Towner and moved to Delta County to be near a daughter who had purchased the Pea Green Store. At the conclusion of his third year at Colorado A&M, Leland came to visit his parents who had purchased a farm on Garnet Mesa. He fell in love with the irrigated ground, purchased a farm of his own and relocated in 1950.
Leland continued until the day of his death to enjoy farming, newly plowed ground, and became what one friend said was the "only happy farmer that I ever knew." Leland often commented that "this is not work but the most enjoyment that anyone could ever have." He began to add to the original farm purchase and eventually operated a feedlot and other farms. Leland grew barley under contract for Coors for many years. He also grew crops intended for use in his feedlot operation.
He loved his family and playing with the children and acting as the father and grandfather of many in his extended family. He loved to irrigate, the changing of the seasons, and the phases of the moon. Leland's home was his life and he lived ranching. Most enjoyable, however, was Helen's apple pie - "either way, hot or cold, just the way he liked it."
Leland was a member of the General Assembly of The Church of The First Born.
Survivors so very grateful to share Leland's life include his wife, Helen BERGER, of Pea Green; one son, Timothy BERGER and wife Karla, of Riyad, Saudia Arabia; and six daughters: Charlotte and husband Don STEVENSON, of Cascade, Idaho; Nancy and husband Jesus ZAPIEN, of Denver; Marilyn and husband Don FICK, of Pea Green; Elizabeth and husband Randy FOOTE, of Lexington, Okla.; Carolyn and husband Marc GALLEGOS, of Grand Junction; and Ruth BERGER -BELABBAS and husband Djamel BELABBAS, of Olathe.
Leland was the proud and loving grandfather of 17 precious grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Other family survivors include two brothers: Marolf BERGER and wife Peggy, of Yukon, Okla.; Richard BERGER, of Eads; and one sister, Dorothy WHITE, of Georgetown, Texas.
Leland was preceded in death by both of his parents and two grandchildren. Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2, until 8 p.m. at the family home near Pea Green.
Funeral Services in loving remembrance of Leland's life will be officiated by his family on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Montrose Valley Funeral Home Chapel. The service will conclude at the chapel.
A private family committal service will be held in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery at Delta.
Arrangements are being handled under the direction of Montrose Valley Funeral Home; (970) 249-4400
Following several years' failing health, Mrs. Martha DRESCHER, 79, passed away the evening of July 4th in Compton, California.
At the time of her death, Mrs. DRESCHER was at the home of her niece, Mrs. Walter TUSCHSEN. She had gone to California for a visit last September and her ill health did not permit her to return home to Eads. During the month before she passed away, Mrs. DRESCHER was almost bedfast.
Sunday afternoon short services were conducted at a mortuary in Compton for relatives and friends unable to attend services in Colorado.
Burial is being made in Eads cemetery Friday morning following the funeral at Eads Methodist church at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Kenneth HICKS will officiate as minister and Kirkpatrick-Duggan mortuary of Lamar will have charge of arrangements.
A quartette composed of Mrs. R. Kelley JACKSON, Mrs. F.L. PYLES, Miss Carolyn JACKSON and Miss Donna BELL will sing "Beyond the Sunset," "In the Sweet By and By" and "Abide With Me." Mrs. Leon GREENWOOD will be pianist and Mrs. T.H. LIESEN, organist. Pallbearers will be Wm. C. BENNER, Oscar MOSHER, Jay SILLIMAN, O.A. WHITE, Harold LAIRD and Art BRADBURY.
Martha CHIRNSIDE DRESCHER, daughter of John and Ellen CHIRNSIDE , was born in Jefferson County, Nebraska, October 16, 1872, and departed this life July 4, 1952.
She was united in marriage to William Henry DRESCHER at the family home in Plymouth, Nebraska, November 24, 1892. To this union were born eight children: John Robert, Frank Vern, Halford August, Lily Edith, Lyle Solman, Marena Fern, Grace Irene and George Edward.
Mrs. DRESCHER joined the United Brethren Church in Bladen, Nebraska, in her youth. Later she joined the Beulah Methodist Episcopal Church at Kensington, Kansas. The family resided in Kansas and Nebraska until coming to Colorado in 1920 to make their home in Kiowa County.
It was at the age of 79 years, 9 months, and 12 days that Mrs. DRESCHER departed this life. At the time of her passing she was at the home of her granddaughter, Maxine TUCHSEN, in Compton, California. On July 4, Mrs. DRESCHER, like her country, gained her independence and freeedom to dwell everafter in peace with her Lord. One daughter, Grace Irene, preceded her mother in death in 1942 and Mrs. DRESCHER's husband went before her in 1938.
Surviving their mother's death are five sons: John Robert and Lyle Solman of Fontana, California; Halford of Huron, California; Vern of Lamar, Colorado; and George Edward of Clarksville, Tennessee; two daughters, Fern BARNES of Eads, Colorado, and Mrs. Lily POST of Maywood, California. Also surviving are three brothers, Robert CHIRNSIDE of Elizabeth, Colorado, Thomas CHIRNSIDE of Fairbury, Nebraska, and Edward CHIRNSIDE, Hannibal, Missouri; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret WRIGHT of Smith Center, Kansas, and Mrs. Agnes BUCK of Iowa City, Iowa. Also remaining are 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Mrs. DRESCHER's kindness and human tenderness enabled her to make neighborliness an art. Concerning the stranger, the needy, the sick, and those in want she truly fulfilled the words of her Lord, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," and likewise the words, "Let him who would be great among you be servant of all." Her faith in the Scriptures cause the Bible to be a symbol of greatness mixed with tenderness as this book was her guide.
The following poem was written by Esther Kerr RUSTHOI, a family relative, years ago at Long Beach, California, and expresses the sentiment of the family at this time.
My Mother's Bible The dearest treasure that I own
Of greater value than a home
My Mother's Bible! My staff, my rod, my Jewel so rare
No other gem could e'er compare.
My Mother's Bible! My comfort in the hour of need,
My hiding place, My Friend indeed.
My Mother's Bible! In sickness, loss, bereavement, grief,
It always quickly brings relief.
My Mother's Bible! My guide to lead thru life's short day,
A light to brighten up the way.
My Mother's Bible! In life, in death. I'll need this friend.
Will trust its pages to the end.
My Mother's Bible!
Relatives and friends in Eads for services -
Out of town relatives and friends attending last rites for Mrs. DRESCHER included: Mrs. Lily POST, Maywood, California; Mrs. Walter TUCHSEN and Dixie, Compton, California; Mr. and Mrs. John DRESCHER, Fontana, Californa; Mrs. Fred BUCK and Mrs. Lisle HURLBUT, Iowa City, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret WRIGHT and Minnie, Smith Center, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Joe SCHANK, Franklin, Nebraska; Robert CHIRNSIDE, Mr. and Mrs. Glen CHIRNSIDE and son of Elizabeth; Mr. and Mrs. Robert DRESCHER and son, Akron; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne HEATON and family, Boise, Idaho; Mrs. Ilda MURSNY, Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Edward DRESCHER, Clarksville, Tennessee; Mr. and Mrs. John BARNES and Mrs. Gene LIGHT, Goodland, Kansas; Russell HOFMEISTER and Mrs. O.A.SLOAN, Towner; Mrs. Carrie GIVAN and granddaughter, Manitou Springs; Mr. and Mrs. Everett CAMPBELL, Pueblo; Mr. and Mrs. Harry SNIDER and daughter,Mrs. Dave SNIDER, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur DRESCHER and son, Mr. and Mrs. Vern DRESCHER and children, all of Wiley.
GRANCICH, Lois Caroline (KELLY) CLARK
Lois Caroline Kelly Clark Grancich was born March 8, 1917 in Eads, Kiowa County Colorado The daughter of Thomas Stirling KELLY and Lizzie BROWN KELLY.
Lois left Colorado in 1936 at the age of 18 to find work. She and a friend took the Greyhound bus to Los Angeles California. She stayed with her brother Harold and his wife Mae at their home in Long Beach, California.
Lois married Lester Eugene CLARK in Los Angeles on May 01, 1937. Their only son Eldon was born December 13, 1938. On New Years Day 1942, Lester's car was hit by a drunk driver and Lester died on January 3rd.
Lois worked as a "Rosie The Riveter" at Vultee Aircraft during WWII and after the war she worked as a clerk in a real estate office. She met and married John Anthony GRANCICH in 1947. John preceded her in death on November 16, 1993.
Lois never completely recovered from surgery for colon cancer in June 2000. She spent her last year in a nursing home. On June 2, 2001 she had a stroke and also a heart attack. She died in her sleep about 7:30 A.M. on June 10, 2001.
Her wish was to be cremated and her remains were to be placed in Inglewood Park Cemetery in the grave of Lester who died 59 years before her.