Daniel V. Masser (1889-1938)

MASSER, SHUMWAY, ENGLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/1/2023 at 18:08:13

From Nevada Evening Journal August 2, 1938 (page 3)

Dan V. Masser Laid to Rest In Colo Cemetery

Daniel V. Masser, formerly of Colo and many years past prominent in educational and school athletic circles in Iowa and Nebraska, was laid to rest in the Colo cemetery Sunday afternoon, July 31.

The funeral services at the Methodist church in Colo were conducted by the local pastor, Rev. A. D. Steffenson. Mrs. Steffenson rendered "My Task" and a men's trio, Bert Lambeth, William Lounsberry and John Lounsberry jr., sang "The City Foursquare" and "Good Night and Good Morning." Mrs. Merle Dickinson accompanied at the piano and played Handel's Largo and a medley of sacred numbers as a processional. Preceding the church services, a short prayer service was held at the Charles W. Yeager home where the body had been in state from Saturday afternoon.

The pall bearers were six young men from Rathbun, Iowa, all of whom were members of the Rathbun high school basketball team of last season, of which he was coach.

A large number were in attendance from a distance, among who were Daniel Engler of Kansas City, Kansas, uncle of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. McCormick of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Edson of Marshalltown, Mr. Merle McDonald and mother of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Schaudt of Slater, Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg and Supt. and Mrs. Schindler of Nevada and the president of the school board and family of Dawson, Iowa.

From Rathbun, Iowa where he had been superintendent and coach the past two years, there was a delegation of about sixty people including the president and other member of the school board, school pupils and many other neighbors and friends.

The numerous floral offering, many of which also came from Rathbun, were very beautiful and were cared for by Mrs. Bert Olson and Mrs. Walter Bamford.

Daniel Voorhies Masser was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania August 12, 1889 and died at the St. Joseph hospital in Centerville July 28, 1938 at the age of 48 years, 11 months and 16 days. At an early age he moved with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Masser to Colo, Iowa, where the family home was maintained for many years.

He received his early education in the Colo public schools and graduated from the Colo high school in 1907. After a year in college he returned to Colo as athletic coach and English instructor. He continued his educational work at Highland Park college, and received his B.A. degree from the state University of Iowa in 1914. He later did graduate work at the same institution.

For a number of years Mr. Masser served in educational capacities in school of both Iowa and Nebraska. He was superintendent at Fernald, Castana and Fonda for six years and at Blair, Nebraska for eight years. He also acted as an instructor in summer sessions a Morningside college for thirteen consecutive summers. At the time of his death he was superintendent and athletic coach at Rathbun at which place he was preparing for his third year of work. Among his outstanding successes in his school work were his coaching of athletics and debate.

Mr. Masser was a member of the Methodist church and a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight Templar, having served as commander in 1931 and 1932 He was a member of of the Phi Delta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu and National Forensic league, all educational honor fraternities. For two consecutive years he served as secretary-treasurer of the eastern Nebraska music association.

On August 25, 1915 he was married to Abigail E. Shumway at Marshalltown, Iowa. Mrs. Masser taught with her husband much of the time.

Surviving him, aside from his widow, are an uncle, D. W. Engler of Kansas City, Kansas, and a half brother, Amos Masser of Los Angles, Calif.

Dan Masser was a man of high ideals and abilities, a tireless worker, a devoted son, a kind and loving husband, a true friend, held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. His courage was amply demonstrated in his persistent pursuit of his education in his early years and his continued energetic service in his chosen profession under the handicap of failing health in his later years. His finest memorial is in the lives the multitude of young man and women who have come under his influence and received the benefit of his supervision and training. He has laid down the working tools of life but his work goes on in their influence and accomplishments.