The death of William Plahn, Sr., 78, early Monday morning, March 24, 1952, brings to a close the colorful career of a man who served his county for sixteen years as county commissioner of the Third District and who conducted his office so that he was re-elected term after term.

Not only was he successful in public office but at the same time he operated as a farmer and rancher until he retired and moved to Pierce 26 years ago, when he was in the trucking business for 15 years.

When he first came to Pierce County 43 years ago, he bought the old C-C Ranch south of Pierce which came to be known as the Plahn Ranch. On it was a large 19-room three-story home and Mr. Plahn supervised having it cut in half, moving one section to an 800 acre plot east of the original home to be known as the second Plahn Ranch. It was quite an engineering feat at that time.

Herman Henry William Plahn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand and Caroline (Wulf) Plahn, was born March 29, 1873, in Germany, and came to the United States when a young man. He located in Iowa, where he worked as a laborer.

He was married to Emma Koenekamp on October 6, 1896, in Denison, Iowa. The family of nine were born and lived on a farm near Manning.

One of the happiest occasions of their life together was their Golden Anniversary celebration held in 1946 when eight children were home for the celebration as well as several sisters and brothers.

His wife preceded him in death on January 9, 1951, and he continued to live alone for a time until his health failed and he was taken to the Leggat Nursing Home in Osmond. Two weeks ago he was moved to the Plainview hospital where he died Monday, March 24. He would have observed his 79th birthday this Saturday.

He was a member of the Congregational Church of the Evergreen Masonic Lodge.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Congregational Church in Pierce with the Rev. M.N. Knudson, officiating. Full Masonic rites were held at the graveside.

Mrs. George Herber was organist at the last rites and accompanied Miss Bernys Havel and Mrs. Harry Retzlaff as they sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," and "The Old Rugged Cross," the same hymns that were used at Mrs. Plahn's funeral.

Burial was in Prospect View Cemetery with six grandsons as pallbearers, Raymond Altwine, Arnold Altwine, Harvey Miller, Melvin Miller, Dale Zauner, and Harold Zauner.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by three daughters, Mrs. Emil (Lena) Karsten, April 27, 1921, Mrs. Emil (Emelia) Miller, December 18, 1947, and Mrs. E.E. (Hattie) Miller, August 2, 1948.

He leaves to mourn his passing six children, Herman, Pierce; Henry Plainview; Mrs. Emil (Anna) Altwine, Battle Lake, Minnesota; Mrs. Harry (Hilda) Zauner, Tilden; Mrs. Mrs. Al (Emma) Sattler, New York; and William, Norfolk. Also 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by one brother, August, Manning, Iowa; three sisters, Anna, in Germany; Magdalene, Chicago, and Mrs. Karl (Johanna) Kaufman, New York.