A transcription of pages 195-469,
Family Histories from the Verdigre Centennial Book
Thanks to the Verdigre Library and its volunteers for making this available.
 
The index below only includes the husband and wife for each family.
The maiden name for the wife is used if listed.
For other names, use the search on the Home Page.

Index's A-I, J-P, & Q-Z

JIM AND FRANCES [HILDRETH] BLESSEN

James Michael Blessen, son of Ernest and Elsie Blessen, and Frances Arlene Hildreth, daughter of Floyd and Elsie Hildreth, were united in marriage on June 18, 1966, at the Methodist Church in Verdigre.

Jim was born living, at Valley, Nebraska, and grew up on a farm near Creston, Nebraska. He graduated from Creston High School in 1959. After high school graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corp for four years. In 1968, he graduated from Kearney State College with a BA degree in Education. He has taught school and coached at Randolph High School and Ord High School.

Some honors in Jim’s life have been: being a participating player on two Men’s Major State Softball Championship Teams, one in 1970 and the other in 1976. He was also selected Most Valuable Player in two men’s State Softball Tournaments, one in 1973 and again in 1975. (Jim is a noted pitcher.) Another honor was being selected assistant coach for the Shrine Football North Team in 1975.

In 1979, Jim began working for the Bank of Verdigre as their insurance agent. He now has his own business, CBS Insurance Associates, as an independent insurance agent. His community involvements are being a member of the Verdigre Improvement Club and also a charter member of the Verdigre Lions Club. He is also a past member of the Verdigre Board of Education.

Fran was born in Orchard, Nebraska, on living, and grew up in Verdigre. She graduated from Verdigre high School in 1962. Fran attended college at Norfolk Junior College, Kearney State College, and graduated from Wayne State College with a BA in Education.

Nebraska counties that Fran has taught in are: Knox, Buffalo, Cedar, Wayne, Valley, and at the present time, she is teaching fifth grade at the Verdigre Public School. She is also a member of the Eastern Star (Ionic Chapter No. 172 at Niobrara, Nebraska).

Jim and Fran have two sons, Darrell Lee was born living in Osmond, Nebraska. He is now a high school student at Verdigre. Cleve Michael, born living, in Ord, Nebraska, is a student at the Verdigre Elementary School.

The Blessens are members of the Niobrara Lutheran Church.

Pages 205, 206