Thomas W. Rawson (1878-1944)

RAWSON, NELSON, SMITH, FREAD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/8/2022 at 13:33:40

From Nevada Evening Journal March 2, 1944 (page 3)

Funeral Services Held at Slater for Thos. W. Rawson

Special to Journal
Slater, March 2--Funeral services for Thomas W. Rawson were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Bethesda Lutheran church. The services were in charge of Rev. P. E. Onstad.

The many beautiful floral offerings were arranged by Mrs. C. A. Larson and Mrs. Art Nelson.

Gifts of money to the missions were presented by relatives and friends in memory of Mr. Rawson.

Elmer Fardal of Forest City sang a solo, "The Beautiful Garden of Prayer." A duet, "The Lord is My Shepherd," was sung by Mrs. M. S. Heggen and Mrs. A. L. Peterson.

The pall bearers were M. S. Heggen, C. A. Larson, Oley Storing, Nels Ersland, Dr. G. J. Severson and Dr. R. G. Nott.

Thomas W. Rawson was born at Dallas Center, Iowa, September 15, 1978, and died at his home in Slater, February 26, 1944, at the age of 65 years, 5 months and 11 days. His parents were the late Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Rawson. The family lived in Sheldahl for several years and then moved to Slater. Mr. Rawson received his education in the Slater schools and Grinnell college. He graduated from Grinnell college in 1901. He returned to Slater and accepted a position as assistant cashier in the Farmers Savings Bank. In 1910 he became cashier to replace Mike Helland who died. Later Mr. Rawson became president of the bank and held that position for many years. When he retired from the banking business he opened a real estate and insurance office which he continued until his death.

His marriage took place September 3, 1902, to Miss Belle Nelson daughter of the late Hon. Oley Nelson. Two children blessed their union, Homer Arnold and June Beverly. The latter died when she was 4 years old. Mrs. Rawson died in January, 1942.

Mr. Rawson was quiet and unassuming and loved his home. He was a devoted husband and father. He took a great deal of interest in the affairs of the community and served as treasurer of the Slater public schools for many years. He was a member of the Bethlehem congregation.

He is survived by his son, Home and the latter's wife, Harriett Smith Rawson, and daughter Sarah Elizabeth, of Stratford, Conn.; one sister, Mrs. Blanche Fread and daughters Dorothy and Katherine, of New Hempstead, N. H.; and one brother, Ed Rawson and daughter, Elizabeth, of Denver, Colo.

Among those attending the services were Homer Rawson of Stratford, Conn.; Ed Rawson and daughter, Elizabeth, of Denver, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer G. Fardal and Miss Helen Prestegaard of Forest City; Mrs. Williams Thompson of Ellsworth; Dr. and Mrs. C. E. Anderson, Guy Lamb, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Larson, Mrs. Ora Hutton, Mrs. Elmer Soderland and Mr. and Mrs. Art Estrem of Madrid; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Langland of Nevada; Judge Lee and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Ersland of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Nelson of Cambridge, and Mrs. Ole Kalsem of Huxley.