DEXTER, Clark R. 1889-1935

DEXTER, HANSON, SMITH, JOHNSON, GETSCH

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/8/2014 at 02:44:36

[Nashua Reporter Wednesday, February 6, 1935, Nashua, Iowa]

CLARK R. DEXTER CALLED BY DEATH LAST THURSDAY

Was Widely Known Throughout
This Section. Funeral Held
Sunday Afternoon

Clark R. Dexter, deputy sheriff, and one of Chickasaw county's most highly respected and best loved citizens, passed away at the hospital in New Hampton early Thursday morning, Jan. 31, 1935, after an illness extending over a period of about three months, during which time he submitted to two operations but his ailment being of a malignant nature the skill of the best physicians and surgeons and the brave fight of an undaunted spirit were unavailing, and a useful life, just in its prime, was cut off.

Clark R. Dexter was born in Nashua, Jan. 26, 1889. Here he grew to manhood, attending the Nashua High School, and later taking a business course at the Southern Minnesota Business College, at Austin, Minn., graduating in 1908. For twenty-three years he was employed in the banking business in Nashua, for many years being cashier. After the consolidation of the Nashua banks, Mr. Dexter took up the insurance business, which he followed until May, 1934, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of Chickasaw county for the remainder of the year, and later reappointed for 1935.

On June 18, 1913 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Hanson of this city, who with two daughters, Margaret and Alice Mae, survive to mourn the departure of one who was all that a husband and a father could be. A son died in infancy.

Surviving besides the wife and daughters, are four sisters, Mrs. Lou Smith, Minneapolis; Mrs. C. L. Johnson, Nashua; Mrs. W. F. Getsch, Minneapolis, and Mrs. H. S. Hanson, Peoria, Ill.

During his work in the bank he made a wide acquaintance and it can be truly said that to know Clark was to feel at once that he was your friend. His open countenance, his friendly smile, his sincere handclasp, assured you that here was a man worth of one's fullest confidence, and Clark never betrayed a trust placed in him. His own troubles and misfortunes, and he had his full share, were thrust into the background, and his sole thought seem to be what he could do to make life brighter, and smooth over the rough places in the lives of others. The esteem and love in which he was held was shown by the large concourse of people from every walk of life who crowded the church to pay their tribute of respect to a man whose departure they sincerely mourned. To his family and relatives his own life will be a beautiful memory.

Clark was always active in church and social affairs. His sweet tenor voice was in demand on every occasion where it could be used and it was his pleasure to give of his talent. From many years he was a member of the Congregational choir, of which church he was an active member. He was also a member of the Bradford Lodge 129, A. F. and A. M., which he served as Worshipful Master; of DeMolay Consistory, 32nd Degree Masons, and of the Northeast Iowa Consistory Club of which he was a past president. At the time of his removal to New Hampton he was a member of the board of education of the Nashua Public schools, and he served a number of terms as city treasurer.

A brief funeral service was held at Knutson & Larkin's Funeral Parlors in New Hampton at 1 p.m. Sunday, Rev. W. A. Spiker of the New Hampton Congregational church offering prayer and paying a tribute to the character of the deceased. Mrs. Ray Farragher and Miss Helen Whittle sang "The Old Rugged Cross," Clark's favorite hymn, and one which he had sung so sweetly for others on similar occasions. Following this service, the body, accompanied by the family, the court house officials, and many friends from New Hampton, was brought to Nashua, where a service was held at the Congregational church at 3 p.m., Rev. G. C. Lusted, assisted by Rev. J. H. Fairley, officiating. Mr. E. W. Staley, accompanied by Mrs. Staley on the piano, sang "Crossing the Bar". The beautiful flowers banked around the casket were a mute tribute of the love to the deceased. The service at the grave in Oak Hill cemetery was in charge of the Masons. Casket bearers were: W. M. Prudhon, W. R. Clampitt, A. H. Meier, Galen Mellinger, E. H. Yarger and G. E. Ellison.