The sad news of the death of Theodore L. Tjossem
was received in Paullina last Saturday. He died that day in one of the hospitals at Camp Dodge, of Spanish Influenza. He had been sick for about a week, but a few days previous to his death his condition had shown a marked improvement and no alarm was felt. The change for the worse came quickly. HIs passing places another golden star upon the service of Paullina. That sad star will always indicate to the people of this community that it represents a young life given in the fullness of young manhood, and at the zenith of ambition to the cause of his country. and the cause of universal Christianity. Although that which is mortal of Theodore has passed from among us, yet, there will linger a tender memory of a congenial young man and of the noble sacrifice that he made.
Theodore L. Tjossem was born September 30, 1896; died October 12, 1918, being twenty-two years and twelve days old at the time of his death. He was the youngest of the family of fourteen children born to Mr. ad Mrs. O.P. Tjossem, eight boys and six girls, one brother preceding him in death. He spent most of his life on the farm with his folks in this community, moving to town a few years ago, when his mother took up his residence here. He was educated in the country schools and in the Paullina HIgh School, quitting shortly his time for graduation to take up farm work. He was united in marriage on October 17, 1917, to Letitia Waldhelm, to whom a baby boy was born. His service in the army began in August of this year, when he was assigned to Camp Dodge. While there he was never free from quarantine, from one cause or another. There lives to mourn his death his wife and baby boy, his mother, six sisters, and six brothers.
There has been considerable delay in the arrival of his remains in Paullina and it is not known when they will arrive. When it does a brief private burial will he held. Interment will be in Prairie View Cemetery.