Albin Frank Rigel, son of Frank and Lydia
Smerchek Rigel, was born at Barnes, Kansas,
March 10, 1888, and departed this life at the Clay
Center Municipal Hospital early Sunday morning,
May 10, 1953, death coming as the result of a
coronary attack suffered only a couple of days
previously.Mr. Rigel grew up in the home at Barnes, and attended high school at Waterville, Kanas. He later attended and was graduated from the Business College at Grand Island, Nebraska, and also an Automobile Trade School in Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout his school days he participated in athletics and other activities. In about 1914, he came to Clay Center, and began doing automobile and tractor mechanic work. In 1916 and 1917 he operated a garage at Green, Kansas. It was at Green, he met and married Miss Edith Swoboda, the marriage taking place on April 18 of 1917. To this union 5 children were born, all of whom live to cherish his memory except Bernice, a daughter who died in infancy. In October of 1917 Mr. Rigel was called into the service of his country, during World War I, and after serving here and abroad, he returned to civilian life in May of 1919. He began farming , a vocation he was to follow until the time of his parting. The early part of his farming was in Marshall County, where all the Rigel children were born. Mr. Rigel was a faithful member of the American Legion for many years, and was a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World for over 30 years. Since 1937 has lived in the Clay Center area, and at the time of his decease the family home was located 13 miles southwest of Clay Center. Mr. Rigel leaves in addition to his devoted wife, Edith, 2 daughters, Mrs. Lydia Baker of Miami, Florida, and Mrs. John Alford of Hialeah, Florida; two sons, Elmer of Lajunta, Colorado, and Milo, of Green, Kansas. Also 3 brothers, Emil of Blue Rapids, Kansas; George of Barnes, Kansas, and Leonard also of Blue Rapids, Kansas. Albin was the eldest in the family. In addition, there are 6 grand children, a number of other relatives, and of course, a host of friends. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, May 13 at 2 o'clock at the Peterson-Neill Chapel in Clay Center, with Rev. Wm. L. Tillman of the first Presbyterian church officiating. Mrs. Walter Obenland and Mrs. Bert Sorem, with Mrs. Andrew Carlson as accompaniest "My Lord Knows Why" Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery. The body bearers were Joe Lippert, Clinton Gridley and B.J. Alexander of Green, E.C. Trautwein and Wm. J. Riechers of Green, and David Blomberg of Riley. The presence of relatives and friends and the beautiful flowers bespoke respect and sympathy. |