Werner, Theodore B. -- 1892 - 1989

WERNER, RUPERT, MARSHAL, TRUAX, ENGLAND

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/5/2011 at 15:25:36

SOURCE: Ossian, Iowa, OSSIAN BEE, June 1989
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Theodore B."Dates" Werner, a former mayor, congressman, publisher, and marshal, died last Tuesday, January 24, 1989 at Rapid City, South Dakota Regional Hospital from congestive heart failure. Services for Werner, age 96, were Friday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Rev. William O'Connell officiated. Interment was in Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Theodore was born June 2, 1892 in Ossian, Iowa, Winneshiek County to John and Johanna (Rupert) Werner. He married Ellen Marshal, July 4, 1914 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife who died in 1954, eight brothers, two sisters, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter. His nickname, Dates, was derived from his passion for the fruit.

In 1902 he moved to Rapid City, where he spent a half century publishing the weekly Gate City Guide. He purchased the newspaper and commercial printing plant in 1912. He sold it in 1965. He was Rapid City postmaster from March 3, 1915 to September 30, 1923.

In 1929 Werner was chosen Rapid City mayor by the Rapid City Common Council. He was mayor one year after being an alderman for two years. He was in Congress two terms during the 1930's, elected the first time in 1932 in the Democratic landslide led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His major accomplishments in Congress included passage of the National Forest and Park Lands bill. The bill transferred all land around the then outer boundaries of Custer State Park from the Federal Government to the State to be included in the park.

Werner was also instrumental in obtaining more federal money for the construction of Mount Rushmore, having Sioux Sanatorium built in Rapid City instead of Pierre and securing more than 25 Civilian Conservation Corps camps for the Black Hills area to provide jobs during the Depression years. He was appointed a U.S. marshal by President Truman in 1947 and served until 1951.

He served 25 years on the St. John's McNamara Hospital Advisory board, was a 67 year member of Rapid City Elks Lodge 1187, a charter member of the Rapid City Rotary Club and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus in Rapid City.

He is survived by two daughters Marguerite Truax of Rapid City, South Dakota and Helen M. England of Alamogordo, New Mexico;four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.