Loren Webster Van Dorn, 1894-1939

Unidentified Obituary in Veteran's Record

of American Legion Post No. 180 - Seymour IA

of which he was a Charter Member

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Services at Wellman for Loren Van Dorn

  Loren Webster Van Dorn was born in Appanoose county near Seymour, Iowa, September 27, 1894, and passed away at Knoxville, Iowa, Nov. 15, 1939 at the age of 45 years one month and 18 days. He was the eldest member of a family of seven children of George B. and Ellen Stoner Van Dorn. He was born and reared on the farm owned by his great grandfather, grandfather and father. He attended the rural school and later his parents moved nearer to Seymour to enable Loren and his brothers and sisters to attend the Seymour high school. From youth Loren applied himself very industriously to the tasks of the farm and studied most diligently in school.

  After graduation from high school in 1913, he and his father and brother Noah operated the two stock farms in partnership.

  On May 14, 1918, he entered the United States army at Centerville, Iowa. He served as private first class in the 313th Cavalry at Del Rio, Texas, and later in the 69th Field Artillery at Louisville, Kentucky. He was honorably discharged December 21, 1918. He resumed farming for several years and then entered the State University of Iowa where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925. He was affiliated with the Phi Delta Gamma, a forensic fraternity and Rhoterian club, a debating society of which he served as president.

  On June 10, 1925, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Shetler of Wellman, Iowa, at Greeley, Colorado. They established their home in Boulder, Colorado, where their only child, Rosalind Marie, was born Aug. 14, 1926. During the 12 years of residence in Colorado Loren attended the University of Colorado several terms where he took post graduate work, and he taught for eight years in various Colorado schools serving as athletic coach or principal.

  For several years he operated a tire store and gasoline station in Boulder where Rosalind could receive proper medical treatment ... serious illness.

  On May 26, 1937, he was called back to Seymour by the sickness and death of his father. He then decided to move back to the farm to operate it and take care of his mother.

  In November, 1938, he was stricken down with a very serious illness known as Tularemia or "Rabbit Fever." For many months a high fever ravished his body, necessitating many surgical operations and hospitalization at various times. Gradually the fever subsided and he seemed to be on the road to recovery. He was always patient and hopeful that he would regain his health. Several weeks before his death he suffered a sudden relapse from which there seemed to be no apparent relief. It was decided best to move him to the Veterans Hospital at Knoxville for further care. He rapidly grew worse and passed away at 12 o'clock, Nov. 15, 1939. It was revealed that he suffered from acute Pericarditis of the heart.

  His passing away is a severe shock to his many friends and relatives and an almost unbearable grief to his wife, mother and daughter, who have almost constantly ministered to his needs during his long illness. He will also be greatly missed by his many relatives, friends and neighbors for he possessed an unusually pleasant, kindly disposition. He was truly a learned man, a generous friend and a most devoted father, husband and son.

  At Boulder, Colo., and in any school community he chanced to reside he took a most active part in Christian youth organizations. Always adhering to the principles of the Christ life, he rededicated his life to the furtherance of Christianity during his last illness.

  He leaves to mourn his wife, daughter, mother, two brothers, Noah of Rock Island, Ill., Earl of Seymour, three sisters, namely Opal Fox of Davenport, Orpha Weist and Alpha Brown of Seymour and a host of relatives and friends.

  The body was taken to Wellman, Iowa, for burial. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Saturday, Nov. 18 at one o'clock. The Reverend Mr. and Mrs. Willis and Daniel Fisher conducted the services and a Mennonite ladies quartet rendered three beautiful selections. Six members of the American Legion served as pall bearers and the services at the grave were very impressive conducted by the Chas. Polton Post of the American Legion at the Wellman cemetery.

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CARD OF THANKS

  We wish to thank those who so kindly sent flowers and otherwise aided so generously during the long illness and the death of our loved one.

  Mrs. Mary E. Van Dorn and daughter Rosalind and Mrs. Ellen Van Dorn.
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Sources of Information

  The information above is included on the Veteran's Record, Iowa Graves Registration Form, and obituary included in the Veteran's Notebook [Pages 192-194] compiled by the American Legion Post #180 of Seymour, Iowa.