Funeral Notice - Christian "Chris" Kronberg, 84, of Scottsbluff, one of the few remaining pioneers of this area, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Joe Brungard of Alliance. He had lived in western Nebraska 62 years.
Of Danish descent, Mr. Kronberg came to western Nebraska in 1884 and was employed for some time at the historic PF ranch. After leaving the ranch he went to Sidney, where he operated a restaurant for a short time.
Mr. Kronberg married Betty Ann Smith at Sidney, June 15, 1888. She died in 1936. To this union were born 11 children, seven of whom survive.
In the spring of 1889 they moved to their preemption and tree claim northwest of the present site of Scottsbluff. Four years later they moved to their homestead four and a half miles west of Scottsbluff, where Mr. Kronberg maintained a home until the time of his death.
While proving up on the homestead, Mr. Kronberg worked as a blacksmith in the Burlington railroad shops at Deadwood, S.D., for a number of years.
Mr. Kronberg, who operated a farm at the homestead site for many years, helped organize the company that built the Enterprise irrigation ditch and assisted in the management of the ditch more than 30 years.
Mr. Kronberg served one term in Scotts Bluff county as assessor and two years as deputy sheriff. He was an active member of the Modern Woodmen for many years.
Born Jan. 18, 1862, at Logum Kloster, North Schlesweg, Mr. Kronberg came alone to Omaha when he was 18. He was employed on farms in Kansas before coming to western Nebraska.
Children surviving are Mrs. Joe Brungard, William H. Kronberg and Chris, Jr., all of Alliance; Mrs. Samuel H. Perkins of Mitchell; Mrs. James Pointer and Roy Kronberg of Scottsbluff, and Mrs. Norman Wilson of Cheyenne. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. One daughter and three sons preceeded him in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Read funeral home Thursday at 2 p.m. Rev. Luvern C. Hicks, Methodist minister, will conduct the rites and burial will be made beside the body of his wife in Fairview cemetery.