CAROL ANN SCHLITTER 1934-1952

SCHLITTER, SCHOENTHAL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/17/2005 at 18:40:56

Girl Is Killed On Returning From Dance

Carol Ann Schlitter, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Schlitter of near Waukon, was killed in an automobile accident a half-mile north of Decorah early Wednesday morning, May 28.

She was returning home from a wedding dance honoring Mr. and Mrs. Roger Wiltgen at Matters ballroom, north of Decorah. She was riding in a car driven by Donald Zoll, 27, of Waukon. The accident occurred on a down hill grade and rounding a curve.

A car was parked on the right hand side of the road, and Zoll turned out to pass. Apparently he misjudged the width of the road and turned out too far on the left hand side and lost control of the car which went down a 20-ft. embankment, according to Sheriff George Harms of Decorah.

The car turned over completely landing on its wheels. Miss Schlitter was apparently thrown from the car and was instantly killed, suffering severe head injuries.

The car traveled about 200 feet after it left the highway and was demolished.

Zoll is a patient in the Decorah hospital, suffering from a possible skull fracture, multiple contusions, and abrasions, and cuts.

Shortly after the accident, another car with six persons in it rolled over as it tried to avoid the crowd of people that had gathered at the accident scene. The driver, Patrick F. O'Malley of Waukon, saw the large crowd and took to the ditch. The car, too, rolled over and landed against a solid rock wall demolishing it.

In the car in addition to O'Malley were William O'Hare, Robert Whalen, and Mary Lou Byrnes, all of Waukon and Richard Smock and Donald Johnson of Decorah. The latter two had asked for a ride to Decorah.

Miss Byrnes suffered a possible skull fracture, multiple contusions, abrasions, and cuts. O'Malley escaped injuries, save for general bruises, and was released from the Decorah hospital Wednesday morning. The other four youths received cuts and bruises and along with Miss Byrnes are patients at the Decorah hospital.

Carol Ann Schlitter was born in Franklin township, Jan. 20, 1934. She graduated Tuesday, May 20, from Waukon high school.

Surviving are her parents, three sisters, Mrs. Curtis (Marie) Schoenthal, Della, and Sharyn Kay and a brother, Dean. Another brother, Keith, preceded her in death.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Martin's Funeral Home in Waukon.

Postville Herald - 1952 - contributed by Mary Durr