Ernest Leuenberger, Sr., who within recent months purchased the former John Falvey farm on
Florence Hill, dropped dead on the floor of the First National Bank and Trust Co. in this
village between 11 and 12 o'clock Monday forenoon.

Entering the bank, Mr. Leuenberger advanced to the window of the cashier, James F. Dorrance
and started to talk by saying: "I'm a stranger, " then faltering, slumped to the floor. A
hurry call was sent for Dr. D. M. Allison who found that the man was dead and that death had
been instant. He had the remains removed across the street to the undertaking parlors of J.
Floyd Smith and called Coroner H.F. Hubbard of Rome. The coroner found that death had been
due to paralytic shock.

The victim of this sad death had gone to the bank, it was later learned from the family, to get
a check cashed that had been sent him from the old country and he had evidently started to
explain to the banker that he was a stranger to this locality.

Born in Wynigen, Berne, Switzerland, February 22, 1870. Mr. Leuenberger was twice married, first
to Lina Christien, who died 21 years ago, and subsequently to Rose Jacobs. Both marriages took
place in Switzerland.

June 30, 1917, he came to this country, and settled in North Dakota, coming to Rome 13 years ago
and here 2 months ago following the purchase of the John Falvey farm. He leaves his second wife;
six daughters, Mrs. Lily Benson, Wisconsin; Mrs. Daisy Wassman and Mrs. Rose Wasssman, and Mrs.
Violet Fashing, North Dakota; Mrs. Myrtle Austin, Rome, and Miss Hattie Leuenberger, Camden; a
step-daughter, Mrs. Leona Wilhelmsen, Rome, and six sons, Warner, Walter, Rome; Arnold, William,
Ernest Jr., and Fritz, Camden.

The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the J. Floyd Smith Funeral Home in Miner Ave.

The officiating clergyman was the Rev. F. F. Meyer, rector of Trinity church. The remains were placed
in the vault to await burial in the spring.

NOTE: The obituary wrongly states that both marriages took place in Switzerland but I have a copy
of the marriage certificate for Ernst and Rosa which took place in Montana.

January 22, 1935:

The deceased was born Feb. 22, 1870, at Wynigen, Bern, Switzerland. He was united in marriage
to Miss Lina Christen, who passed away twenty-one years ago. Seven children were born of this
union. On June 30, 1917 he was married to Miss Rose Jacob. After coming to this country, they
located in North Dakota where they resided until 13 years ago, when they came East, residing in
Rome. Two months ago, the deceased purchased the former Falvey farm, on Florence Hill Road.

The widow survives, and the following children of the first union: Lily Benson, Wisconsin;
Mrs. Daisy Wassman, Mrs. Rose Wassman, Mrs. Violet Sashing, all of North Dakota; Werner Leuenberger,
Mrs. Myrtle Austin, and Walter Leuenberger, all of Rome; one step-daughter, Mrs. Leona Wilhelmsen,
of Rome; also these children who reside at home: Arnold, William, Ernst Jr., Fritz and Hattie.

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