Obituaries
Frank Messersmith rites Fri.
By The Ledger
Mar 5, 2004, 09:37

Frank Junior Messersmith returned to his maker on March 2, 2004. He was born in Antioch, Nebraska on July 30, 1920 to Frank E. and Luva (Roberts) Messersmith. The family moved to the ranch north of Antioch in 1922 where Frank Junior lived his adult life.

After attending high school in Alliance and Curtis, Frank attended the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture in Lincoln, where he was involved in the marching band, on the varsity wrestling team, Block and Bridle Club, and Farmhouse Fraternity. He graduated from the University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry with a minor in Agricultural Economics.

After college, Frank joined the United States Army, on Sept.15, 1942 and served as a Veterinary Technician in Washington and in the Aleutian Islands. He was given an honorable discharge with the rank of E-4 on Dec. 2, 1945.

Frank married Linnien C. Bump of Whitman to which union three children were born. They ranched on the family home place until retirement in 1992 and continued their lives in the house where he grew up.

Frank J. was involved in numerous community organizations throughout his life. He was a 4-H leader, active in the Nebraska Stockgrower’s Association, a founding member of the Nebraska Beef Cattle Improvement Association, charter member of the State and National Junior Hereford Associations, and was a Life Member of the American Legion, and Elks as well as member of the Eagles, VFW, National Cattlemen, Farmers Union, American and Nebraska Hereford Associations and the Arabian Horse Association. Frank was a long time member of the Panhandle Country Music Association, Couples Dance Club, and RSVP.

He is survived by his brothers Bob, (Emily) and Ken, (Verna) of Alliance, Lee, (Barb) of Hemingford, Rex, (Wilma) of Lincoln, and sisters Eileen Bauer of Alliance, and Betty Rogers, (Lyle) of Yuma, AZ, his children Judy (Don) Ellingson of Denton, Bruce (Lyn) of Alliance and Gerald (Kimberly) of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, grandchildren Alicia and Timothy Ellingson, Jared and Alex Messersmith, Corby Welch, very special friend Ethel Varilek, numerous foster children, many nieces and nephews and extended family. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, and wife of 56 years, Linnien.

Funeral services will be Friday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Norma Jensen officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Good Samaritan Health Care Center, Box Butte General Hospital, or the First Presbyterian Church of Alliance.

Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.


© Copyright 2002 by Hemingford Ledger