Services held for long-time resident Mary Daniels

Editor's Note:  We were saddened at the news last month that our long-time friend Mary Daniels of Whitney had passed away.  For anyone who has ever lived in Whitney, and many  who attended school in the the Whitney-Crawford-Chadron area during much of the mid-to-late 1900's, Mary was likely no stranger.  Her roots in Whitney were deep, and she was a kind contributor of information and photos to our Whitney Reflections website.  Whether it was school, church, or community, Mary etched her mark into the history of Whitney, Nebraska.      ~~Larry Miller, Editor

Mary Daniels (1917-2015)

Memorial services for Mary E. Daniels, age 98, of Whitney, NE were held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Whitney Methodist Church with her nephews Dr. Byron Klaus of Blue Eye, MO and Reverend Merlyn Klaus of Omaha, NE officiating.

Inurnment followed in the Whitney Cemetery.

A memorial has been established. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com.

Mary passed away peacefully in the care of Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, NE on October 30, 2015. She is survived by sister Martha Klaus of Springfield, MO, sister-in-law Beverly Daniels of Lexington, NE, numerous nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by parents Jake and Anna Daniels and brothers Elvin and Leo Daniels.

Mary, a lifelong resident of the Nebraska Panhandle, was born in the brand-new farm home of her grandparents, John and Elizabeth Gobel, in Gering, NE on June 21, 1917. She was the first child of Jake and Anna Gobel Daniels. 

The family moved to Dawes County in 1921, eventually settling in the town of Whitney, where her parents purchased a farm in the Whitney Irrigation District. 

A graduate of Chadron State College, Mary had a career as an educator that spanned five decades, all of that in Dawes County. Mary taught in rural school districts, and in the Chadron and Crawford school districts, teaching everything from Senior High English to Kindergarten. Multiple generations of Dawes County students were influenced by Mary’s teaching efforts. In fact, Mary loved teaching so much that even after retiring, she was a substitute in various schools for another 15 years. 

A devout Christian, Mary was involved in numerous volunteer activities in the Whitney Methodist Church, and also served with the Nebraska United Methodist Women and the Christian Women’s Club in Chadron.

Mary lived in the Whitney area most of her adult life, moving to Ponderosa Villa in Crawford in 2011, where she spent her remaining years.

Whitney school bells silenced...

What a great time it was.....seeing old friends and former classmates from an earlier era! About 50 folks showed up for the Whitney School Reunion on Sunday (5/29/11), just days after the old rural school became history --- literally!

More recently a part of the Chadron Public Schools, the District 62 school had served generations of kids since it opened its doors as part of the old hotel in downtown Whitney back in 1886.

By 1924, a brand new building had been constructed, providing not only ample space for a high school -- but running water to boot!  That two-story stucco structure remains nearby, nestled just a stone's throw from the "new" school, built in 1980.  That's where Sunday's festivities took place.

1935 WHS grad Mary Daniels, seated at left, was also a long-time teacher  at Whitney.
She and Ruth Ann Connell shared several "teacher" stories from earlier days at the school.

Many attendees simply couldn't resist the lure of the old school, though, and the made the short trek to their old haunt just one last time.  It was a fun experience, recalling so many memories and antics that will live on long after the building itself is finally demolished, whenever that may be. We understand that the Chadron school board is still trying sell the property -- including both buildings.

While we're not certain, we suspect the older building is likely laced with asbestos and other substantial issues that render it more of a liability than possible "historic structure" that could be renovated and preserved -- no matter how appealing that might be to many of us.

Perhaps a more suitable focus of attention might be the newer building, which appears to be in pretty good shape and ready for yet other purposes. It'll be interesting to follow its fate.

In the meantime, we can bask in the pleasant memories that Whitney School provided for many of us for so many years.

It was particularly great fun hearing from Ruth Ann Connell, Mary Daniels, and others with early ties to the school.

During it's 125 years, the school always offered instruction for elementary students.   But between 1924 and 1942, the "Mustangs" had a high school that turned out quite a few graduates, a few of whom joined us Sunday.   Earliest of that group was Mary Daniels, who was salutatorian of her graduating class in 1935, while her sister Martha was named valedictorian.

Then there were at least two folks who were among the final graduating class in 1942:  Naomi (Howard) McCafferty of Whitney and Gerald Lux of Crawford.

There were lots of melancholy moments as many of these "oldtimers" rubbed shoulders with younger people and swapped stories.  It was a great way to help keep some of those precious memories alive.

We've posted some of the many photos we took during this bittersweet gathering.  Images of the event -- starting with a tour of the old school building -- can be found in the Whitney School Open House gallery.  You'll find a collection of class pictures and other school archival material in our Whitney School Gallery.