Olive E. Stasser

HAIGLER -- Olive E. Stasser, 89, died Saturday (Oct. 26, 2002) at the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman.

She was born Nov. 13, 1912, to Edna (Barnard) Rockwell and James N. Rockwell in Waldron, Kan. She graduated from St. Francis High School and taught school in Cheyenne County, Kan., for several years.

On Aug. 16, 1936, she married Victor Stasser in St. Francis and they farmed near St. Francis during the Dust Bowl years.  In late 1939, they moved to Haigler and opened Stasser's Garage, an automobile dealership and repair shop, which they operated until retirement in the late 1970s.  After retirement, they spent winters in Tucson, Ariz.

She was a member of the Haigler United Methodist Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Vera Rockwell; and an infant sister.

Survivors include her husband, Victor; son Richard Stasser and wife, Nina of New Castle, Colo.; daughter Doris and husband, Lyndell Whipps of Max; brother M. M. Rockwell and wife, Muriel; sister, Lou  and husband Marvin Stasser; sisters-in-law Irene Cook, Margaret Stasser and Lillian Archer; brother-in-law Harold Archer; six grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Haigler with the Rev. Nina Stasser and the Rev. Theta Dame officiating.  Interment will follow services at the Haigler Cemetery.

Visitation will be today until 6 p.m. at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

In lieu of usual remembrances, memorials may be given in her name to the Dundy County Hospital Foundation, the Haigler United Methodist Church, or the Haigler Ambulance.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of arrangements.