Edwin Deerberg

DEERBERG, REKEMEYER, SCHNACK

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/7/2016 at 08:38:24

3 June 1965 - The North Cedar Press

Edwin Anton Deerberg, 27, Lowden, was instantly killed about 7:05 a.m. May 28, when his car was involved in a collision at a country road intersection, approximately 3 miles southeast of Clarence, or 3 miles west of Lowden.

Injured in the crash was the driver of the empty gravel truck, Leo Bernard Mcaven, 38, Delmar. The truck is owned by Samuel and Fonda Franklin of Wheatland.

The car and truck collided at almost the exact center of the intersection, according to Deputy Sheriff Dick Hancock and Highway Patrolman Virgil Smith who investigated the accident.

Deerberg had left the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Deerberg, a mile south of the scene of the crash and was headed north, on his way to work at the Lowden Plumbing and Heating Co.

Mcaven was returning to the Lowden quarry, traveling from west to east. Officers said that there was no indication that either driver saw the other. There is a slight dip on both the south and west approaches to the intersection so that 2 vehicles could be in a position at the same time and would not see each other as they approached the crossroad.

The crash took place almost in front of the Don Pruess home. The family heard the crash, but no one saw it. They heard the gravel truck coming, Mrs. Pruess said, but this is a regular occurrence as the road is used regularly by these trucks. Then they heard the crash. She added that people in the area considered the corner to be dangerous because of the blind spots and feared that there "might be an accident."

When the Pruesses rushed out of the house they found the Deerberg car in the ditch on the east side of the road, north of the intersection, facing south. Deerberg was trapped in the car and they felt sure that he had been killed. A doctor was called and the sheriff's office notified.

The gravel truck went across the intersection and came to a halt in the north ditch on the east side of the intersection. It appeared that the truck had tipped a least part way over, then righted itself.

The left side of the Deerberg car was crushed and the top smashed by the impact which turned the car over at least once. The right front on the gravel truck was also smashed. It required a blow torch to take off the front wheels of the truck as the front axle was broken.

The death of Edwin Deerberg is the second tragedy to strike the Deerberg family in 9 days. May 20 Brian Wenndt, 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wenndt, the grandnephew of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Deerberg was killed in a farm accident at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wenndt. Carl Wenndt is Mrs. Deerberg's brother. Mrs. Wenndt is Mr. Deerberg's sister.

Born in Lowden, Edwin was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Deerberg. He was graduated from Lowden high school and attended the American Institute of Commerce in Davenport for 2 years.

He formerly worked for Warren Langwith, Inc., Davenport, and for Weaver Quarry, Lowden.

Surviving are his parents; a brother, Harlan, Lowden, and sisters, Mrs. Harlan Rekemeyer, Tipton, and Mrs. Dennis Schnack, Lawrence, Kans.

Funeral services for Edwin Deerberg were held May 31 in the Zion United Church of Christ, Lowden, with the Rev. Arthur Tinge officiating. Music was by the church quartet, with Irma Strackbein, organist.

Pallbearers were Robert Schroeder, Norman Boedeker, Merlin Kreinbring, Delbert Kruckenberg, Warren Goldsmith and Lowell Sander. Beverly Helmold, Cheryl Fehling and Mrs. Leon Kann were in charge of flowers. Burial was in the Van Horne cemetery.