Bresnahan, Bernard F. Jr. "Biff" died 1982

BRESNHAN, BRESNAHAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/11/2015 at 06:57:45

Cedar Rapids Gazette, Sun., 17 Jan. 1982.

Unable to get into special van, Waukon man dies of exposure.

Waukon- Funeral services were held Saturday for a Waukon quadriplegic who died of exposure after having trouble getting into his specially equipped van.

Bernard "Biff" Bresnhan Jr., 27, was found slumped in his wheelchair in downtown La Crosse, Wis., at 4 a.m. Thursday. Injured in a motorcycle accident several years ago, he was there to receive rehabilitation treatment at a hospital.

According to La Crosse police, Bresnhan apparently had trouble getting the doors open on his van, which was equipped with a wheelchair lift. Officers found Bresnhan slumped in his wheelchair in the 6 degree below zero weather after receiving a report from a woman.

La Crosse police earlier helped Bresnhan get in his van after observing him sitting outside a downtown business. That was almost three hours before he was found unconscious at a spot a few blocks away.

No foul play is suspected in the death, said a La Crosse police Sergeant. The hour of the incident and the temperature at the time, he said, led police to believe there just were not any people around to help Bresnhan when he got in trouble.

Doctors at St. Francis Medical Center said Bresnhan's body temperature had fallen to 78 degrees from the normal 98.6. He died despite a five-hour effort to revive him.

Services were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon. Burial was at Hanover.

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Cedar Rapids Gazette, Fri., 15 Jan. 1982.

Iowa Deaths:

Waukon- Bernard "Biff" Bresnhan Jr., 27. Saturday, 10 a.m., St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Friends may call from 2 to 10 p.m. today at Hanson's, where a Scripture service will be held at 8 tonight. Burial Hanover Cemetery.

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NOTE: Find A Grave shows a gravestone photo for Bresnahan, Bernard F. "Biff" died 1-14-1982 in St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery.