HANGARTNER, Oscar Melchior Fritz 1910-1959

HECKMAN, HANGARTNER, MILLER, LUBKE, BRAY, WESTCOTT, KJOSA

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 3/13/2011 at 19:38:23

Oscar Melchior Fritz Hangartner

Oscar Hangartner, 48, farmer near Castalia, died Saturday in the Postville hospital of burns suffered Friday afternoon.

He had been working in his fields and drove his tractor to the farmyard to refuel. Gas spilling on the hot engine was ignited and exploded the supply he was pouring.

Oscar Melchior Fritz Hangartner, the son of Jacob Hangartner and Minnie Heckman Hangartner, was born December 8, 1910 at Clermont, Iowa. He passed away at the Postville Hospital on May 2, 1959, following a tragic farm accident, at the age of 48 years, four months and 24 days.

He was baptized in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church by the Rev. Kuehne on February 8, 1911 and confirmed in St. Paul's by the Rev. Finck on August 16, 1925. He was married to Doris Miller of Elgin on December 18, 1940, and following their marriage they moved to the farm in the area of Postville Junction, which the family still occupies. To this union were born two children, Verlene and Elaine.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters; his mother, Mrs. Minnie Hangartner; four sisters, Mrs. Gladys Lubke of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Bessie, Mrs. Lawrence Bray of Postville, Elizabeth, Mrs. James Westcott of Hawkeye, and Isabell, Mrs. Harris Kjosa of Clermont; three brothers, Alpha of Clermont, Jacob of Onalaska, Wisconsin, and Richard of Postville and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jacob Hangartner.

Services were conducted at the Schutte Funeral home on May 4, at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Charles E. Witt, pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Postville. Burial was in the Postville cemetery.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.