Gary Hodgden 1952-1975

HODGDEN, SIDERS, MATHIAS, BURMEISTER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 3/1/2023 at 08:43:19

9 October 1975 - The Tipton Conservative

Injuries received in a farm accident early Oct. 2 proved fatal to Gary L. Hodgden, 23. He died at the University hospitals, Iowa City, Sunday.

His leg was caught in the auger of a combine, with a corn head, that had been used to pick corn the day before at the Gaylord Goodale farm, approximately 4 miles southwest of Tipton.

Gary left the Hodgden home about 5:15 a.m. He was going to a field located across the road from the Goodale farm home, to bring back 2 loads of corn that were to be dried at the Hodgden farm. The corn had been picked the day before. The field is approximately 3 miles from where the Hodgdens live.

When he did not return home by 6 a.m. his mother had become concerned and drove to the field where she saw the lights of the tractor shining on the combine. As she approached the combine Gary called out to her to get the doctor, call an ambulance and tell his dad.

Mrs. Hodgden went to the Goodale home, waking them up. She telephoned Dr. Kruse who notified the ambulance which arrived at approximately 6:30. When it was found that Gary's leg could not be removed from the auger without the use of cutting torch, John Lange was called and he used a torch to cut the auger at both ends.

The auger was lifted out and Gary was taken from the combine about 6:45. He went by ambulance to University hospitals, Iowa City, where he was given emergency treatment, which included a considerable amount of blood. He underwent surgery at 8:30 in the morning and did not leave the operating room until 3:30 p.m.

He was in intensive care, receiving numerous blood transfusions, estimated at approximately 50 pints of blood, until his death at 11:20 a.m. Sunday.

Since Gary was alone at the combine when the accident took place, no one has been able to tell exactly what happened. He had been told that a chain had been "slipping" and had removed the safety cover at the front of the combine so that he could examine the chain. It is believed that the accident took place at approximately 5:45 a.m.

It is not known how he was caught possibly by slipping and falling and when the combine was activated, the clothing on his right leg was caught by the fingers at the center of the auger and his leg was drawn into the auger. It is believed that the auger operated for only a matter of seconds and that the motor was killed, either by the jamming effects of his leg or because the motor was not warmed up.

Gary's right leg was drawn under and around the auger. He was given a sedative by Dr. Otto Kruse and covered with blankets until he could be removed by the cutting of the auger.

What caused the auger and the fingers at the center of the auger to begin operation is not known.

His injuries were extensive and massive, including severe injuries to his leg and to his hip. He also received a broken pelvis and there were internal injuries. Because of the extensive bleeding caused by the damage to the flesh of his leg and hip, it was necessary for almost continuous blood transfusions. His kidneys failed to function, and he was placed on a dialysis machine. This resulted in an unusual stress on his heart, resulting in a fatal cardiac arrest.

A number of people gave blood for Gary Hodgden. Some of this was replacement for other blood and part was donated when "fresh" blood was needed. A great many people agreed to give blood after the need was announced at several churches Sunday.

Funeral services for Gary L. Hodgden were held at the First United Church of Christ Oct. 8 with the Rev. Dale Marshall officiating. Burial was in the Tipton Masonic cemetery.

Pallbearers were Randy and Roger Hubler, Randy Rogers, Charles Knouse, Allen Dloughy and Tim Luettjohann. George Thordsen was vocalist and Mrs. Arnold Swan was organist. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hoffman and Mr. and Mrs. Victor Hoffman were in charge of flowers.

The son of Wayne V. and Luella H. Burmeister Hodgden, he was born at Cedar Rapids March 15, 1952. He graduated from Tipton high school in 1972.

He spent his entire life in the Tipton community and was a farmer at the time of his death. He was a member of the First United Church of Christ.

He is survived by his parents, 2 sisters, Mrs. Howard (Carolyn) Siders and Mrs. Randy (Nancy) Mathias, both of Tipton; 2 brothers, Larry, Tipton and Dennis, Lowden and his maternal grandfather, John Burmeister, Clarence.