Chris Kusel passed away in a hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota Wednesday, May 1, 1929, where he was a patient sufferer, and where death relieved him of all earthly cares and tribulation.
Death was due to a paralytic stroke suffered the last of January.
Mr. Kusel is a former Bloomfield resident, having arrived here about the time Bloomfield first saw the light of day. He was among the sturdy pioneers, who came to this city and labored and built well, and who helped to make this country what it is today. He is mourned by those who still are spared to the citizens and who are still numbered among its pioneers, but whose ranks are dwindling down until it will be just a question of time, until they will be extinct, but the memories of these sturdy men and women will linger in the minds of all for all time. No monument of any consequence could be erected that will live forever more than the monument they left behind in the person of their children who carry on the work of their parents.
Christian William Fredrick Kusel was born October 14, 1848, in Germany when he was three years old, the parents decided to immigrate to America, the land of promise and plenty and they landed here and went immediately to Davenport, Iowa.
At the age of 26 he was married to Louise Fredericka Wohlert. They continued to live in Davenport until they came west and settled on a farm 1 mile east and 1 mile south of Bloomfield. They did well and in 1911 they decided to move to their homestead at Newell, South Dakota. They resided on the homestead at Newell when death entered the home and spread sorrow and distress in its wake when it removed his life companion Mrs. Kusel in 1920. Since that time he has been making his home with his daughter at Newell and his son Charles at Bloomfield. Life became burdensome for him, although he was given loving care and affection by his children. He missed his companion more and more as life ebbed. Seven children were born to bless this happy and prosperous home. Rosa Fredrichsen, Manning, Iowa, Charles Kusel, Bloomfield, Nebraska, Henry Kusel, Bloomfield, Nebraska, Mathilda Wulf, White Lake, South Dakota, Lena Carlson, Newell, South Dakota, Edith Adams, Bloomfield, Nebraska, Anna Martens, Newell, South Dakota.
Mr. Kusel joined the congregational Church in Bloomfield, 35 years ago and was a faithful member until his death.
He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Ida Grube of Manning, Iowa.
The body was brought to Bloomfield, Tuesday evening and was taken to the home of his son, Charles. The following day funeral services were held in the Congregational Church, conducted by Rev. Schmidt. The remains were laid to rest in the Bloomfield Cemetery where they will rest in peace.
Note for historical accuracy this is the full name and birth records from the Seedorf,
Germany, church records: Christian Heinrich Johann Kusel born 10/25/1848
He was the son of Friedrich George Christian Kusel & Catharina Maria Dorothea Meinecke