Obituaries: Ross C. KEPHART (9 Jan 1965)

Obituary. Ross C. KEPHART (9 Jan 1965). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Retired Blacksmith Succumbs

LAKEFIELD -- Ross C. Kephart, a blacksmith for many years at Lakefield, died early this morning in an Aitkin, Minn. rest home. He was 83.

Mr. Kephart, who had been living with a son at Aitkin until just recently, died of complications of old age.

Mrs. Kephart died last February and he went to Aitkin to stay with his son, Seth.

He was born March 13, 1881 at Cottage Hill, Ia., one of 12 children. On July 7, 1909, he married Clara Vilmo.

They are survived by the one son, Seth, and two daughters, Mrs. Lester Norgrant of Spirit Lake, Ia. and Mrs. Harm Ihnen of Seal Beach, Calif. Two sisters, Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield and Mrs. E. E. Pearson of Jackson, also survive. There is a brother Levi Kephart of Sanborn, Minn., eight grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Rost [funeral home . . . ].



Obituary. Ross C. KEPHART (9 Jan 1965). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Ross C. Kephart, 83, Dies at Rest Home

Ross C. Kephart, 83, who lived in Jackson County the greater share of his life, died at an Aitkin rest home Saturday, where he had resided only a short time. He was a Lakefield blacksmith for many years. Mrs. Kephart died last February and he later went to Aitkin to stay with his son Seth.

Ross Kephart was born March 13, 1881, at Cottage Hill, Ia. On July 7, 1909, he was married to Clara Vilmo.

Survivors are one son, Seth; two daughters, Mrs. Lester Norgrant of Spirit Lake and Mrs. H. Ihnen of Seal Beach, Calif.; two sisters, Mrs. E. E. Pearson of rural Jackson and Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield; one brother, Levi Kephart of Sanborn; eight grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Lakefield Methodist church. The Rev. R. Hubbard officiated and interment was in Jackson Riverside Cemetery.