Walter Bernard ASHBY

Other Events:

• Census: Apr 1930, Sterling, Logan, Colorado, USA; ED 10, pg 1A
• Census: 1940, Sterling, Logan, Colorado, USA; ED 38-10, pg 7A
• Residence: 1971, Longmont, Boulder, Colorado, USA
• Obituary: 20 Jan 2003, Lake Havasu City, Mohave, Arizona, USA; newspaper

Notes:

A Story about My great-great grandfather:
Walter was known for many years as Bernard. His mother (Olive) and her sister (Ida) both gave birth within two days of each other. They decided to call them by their middle names because they were "so close to being twins"; Walter "Bernard" Ashby, born 1 Mar 1911, and Grace "Bernice" Lukehart, born 3 Mar 1911. Walt was named after his father, but he was never known as Jr. If the term "quality" is ever used to describe a man, it is truly appropriate for Walt Ashby. As with any man, the trials of life are difficult, but great strength of character, sense of humor, determination (maybe a bit of stubborness), morality, and truth were the guidelines of his life. His gentleness is demonstrated with his love for children and animals, as well as a giving nature. Responsible is a term that under estimates his passionate resolve for honesty and loyalty. He is of the "old school" where his word is law and he would never break a trust. Firm when he has to be, gentle when need be, and always a sense of humor (perhaps evolved from his rich Irish/Scottish heritage). He loves to surprise with a kindly gesture, and a twinkle in his eye (yes, truly a twinkle). I will never forget the time I was a struggling single parent and my car did not pass inspection, the cause being worn tires. My father insisted I drive his car to work the next day because my tires were unsafe. When I arrived home my father was standing in the driveway watching for me with that familiar grin and eyes twinkling. There was my car with four new tires--it passed inspection! When children, we often had a friend over for dinner. We would always seat her next to Dad because we knew he teased whoever sat by him; we giggled our heads off throughout the meal. Too few examples of the many, many kindnesses and heart-warming remembrances of this man, my Dad. Walter and Olive Ashby--One of the events oldest son Jim likes to recall about his dad, Walter Ashby, is the day he came home with his first car. "I don't think Dad had ever driven a car before," Jim said. "We were all out in the pasture (at the homestead near Burdett) watching for him to come from Yuma with the Model T. When we saw him coming across the prairie, he was sitting very straight and very proud. But by the time he came to the gate near our house, he was hollering "Whoa, Whoa," and the Model T tore right through the wire fence." It was one of many fun times for the family after they arrived in Colorado in 1908. Walter Ashby was born Oct. 25, 1874, at Sloan, Iowa, the son of William and Eliza Farley Ashby. Florence Olive Dee was born May 2, 1891, in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the daughter of James and Nancy Emeline McGhee Dee. Walter and Olive were married Dec. 20, 1906 [sic], in Sioux City, Iowa, and came to the Burdett community two years later. They moved to Sterling in 1917 where Walt was employed by Great Western Sugar Co. He retired from the sugar company in 1940. Walt died Sept. 10, 1953, and Mrs. Ashby passed away May 28, 1971. Their children were sons James, Harold, Walter Bernard and Elton and daughters Erma Curtis and Leona Reese. Two children died in infancy. (This obit and death record lists place of birth as Sloan, Iowa; however, a copy of Walter's birth record lists Tama, Iowa, as place of birth. This coincides with census dates and birth place of siblings and parents) WALT ASHBY HOMESTEAD PATENT: SW Section 19, Township 5 N, Range 49W. Serial No. 0 7507 Excerpt from WASHINGTON COUNTY COLORADO BOOK 1989--by Arlene Glenn:
"West 28 or Pleasant View School was begun in 1909. They first had school in the Jim Williams homestead shack, a two-room sod house, located on the southeast quarter of Section 19. Then Walt Ashby donated the northwest corner of land in Section 19. The school was built there about 1910. The school burned down in 1916 and a new one was erected in 1917. Both East 28 and West 28 schools were closed in 1922 when patrons voted to unite and form one school on the present Lone Star School grounds." Letter from Betty Jones Snow (MY GRANDMOTHER) dated 7 May 2001. Betty was raised by Walter and "Ollie" ". . . after Daddy & Mom (Walt and Olive) were married.

Census:

Henry G Krause Head M 55 Wisconsin
Mildred D Krause Wife F 52 Iowa
Iliff B Krause Son M 22 Nebraska
Gerald V Krause Son M 20 Nebraska
Everett M Krause Son M 17 Colorado
Evelyn M Krause Dau F 14 Colorado
Idabel I Krause Dau F 10 Colorado
Bernard Ashby Roomer M 19 Colorado
Carl Carrazzio Roomer M 22 Colorado
Clarence Whitt Roomer M 21 Nebraska
Bernard does odd jobs at the sugar company.

Census:
103 Factory
Bernard W Ashby Head M 29 Colorado
Dorothy Ashby Wife F 28 Missouri
Colleen Ashby Dau F 7 Colorado
Loretta Ashby Dau F 2 Colorado
He is an extra station foreman at the sugar factory.

Obituary:

Walt Ashby, 91, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2003 at Sunset View Assisted Living in Lake Havasu City. He was born March 1, 1911 in Burdett, Colorado to Walter and Florence Olive (Dee) Ashby. Walt moved to Lake Havasu City two and one-half years ago from Longmont, Colorado, where he worked for the Great Western Sugar Company. After 45 years with Great Western he retired in 1976 as assistant superintendent.
Walt is survived by one brother, ..., Colorado; daughter, ...; daughter ...; daughter ...; ...; and ....
His wife, Dorothy Elizabeth Barnhart (Dec. 3, 1911 - Sep. 2, 1986); three brothers, James, Harold and Verle; and three sisters, Erma, Edith and Leona "Babe", preceded him in death.
The union between Walt and Dorothy M. Goerner Knapp was performed near Jamestown, Colorado in June 1993. She also preceded him in on September 7, 2001.
Walt Ashby has several grandchildren and great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Walt lived his life by the virtues of loyalty, honesty, morality and love of family. He will be truly missed by those who loved him for the exceptional man that he was.
The family respectfully request donations to go in his name to Hospice of Havasu.
Cremation was held at the Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory in Lake Havasu City.

Walter married Dorothy Elizabeth BARNHART on 3 Jul 1931 in Wray, Yuma, Colorado, USA. Dorothy (daughter of David L BARNHART and Alda Bert ZEIGLER) was born on 3 Dec 1911 in Marceline, Linn, Missouri, USA; died on 2 Sep 1986 in , Boulder, Colorado, USA; was buried on 4 Sep 1986 in Longmont, Boulder, Colorado, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]