Manilla - Funeral services for William Grage were held Wednesday afternoon, May 3, from Trinity Lutheran church at 2 o'clock. Rev. F. C. Israel officiated. Burial was made in the Nishnabotna cemetery. Pall bearers were Earl Hickey, Merlin Schnoor, Chriss Olson, Arnold Gallagher, Elmer Dethlefsen and F.J. Lahndorf.

William Grage died at his home in Manilla Sunday evening April 30, 1950, of a heart attack. However, he was ill for the past month. He was confined for a time at the hospital in Carroll and later in University hospital in Iowa City. His ailment was diagnosed as cancer of the spine but the heart attack cut short the long suffering. He was 69 years, 6 months and 12 days at the time of his death.

He was born October 18, 1880, to the late Claus Grage and his wife, Celia, nee Jurgensen. He spent practically all his life in the vicinity of Manilla with the exception of about three years when he resided at Kirkman and one year at Ute. In his younger years he worked at farm work and later as a section hand for the Milwaukee railroad for 14 years. The last 12 years he was in the employ of the county.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On March 14, 1906, he was united in marriage with Lena Grimm of Manning. They were blessed with nine children, eight of whom, be sides the widow, mourn his death. One son, Glen, gave his life in the service of his country in World War II.

His children are Gilbert of Jasper, Minnesota; Merlin, Hillsboro, North Dakota; Wilmer, Oxford Junction; Victor, Garrison, South Dakota; Edna, Mrs. Henry Waterbury, Manilla; Luella, Mrs. Robert Ray, Yankton, South Dakota; Hazel, Mrs. Albert Dowling, Mitchel, South Dakota; Helen, Mrs. Beryl Keetle, Ashland, Nebraska; Two brothers, Claus and Chris of Manilla; a sister, Mrs. Anna Ferry of Kirkman; 24 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a large number of nephews and nieces.