Nugent, Francis D. 1918-1947

NUGENT, MUHLSTEIN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/9/2014 at 16:24:22

Mason City Amputee Killed in Minnesota in Car Collision
Brother, Wife of Vet Suffer Minor Injuries; Minnesota Man Killed

Funeral services for Francis D. Nugent, 28, of 730 16th N. E., who died about 7:10 p.m. Saturday as the result of injuries received in an automobile accident about 10 ½ miles south of Albert Lea, Minn., will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic church, with Father P. J. Behan officiating.

The Rosary will be said at the Meyer funeral home at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s cemetery.

Mr. Nugent died in the wreckage of a car he received from the U. S. government as an amputee. He had survived many months of action in Africa, Sicily and Italy, imprisonment by the Germans for 6 months, and the loss of a leg.

The crash in which he was killed occurred as he was driving north on highway 65. In the car with him were his wife, Betty, their 11 month old daughter Judy and Nugent’s brother, Albert, all of Mason City.

The Nugent car was sideswiped by one driven by Erling Reierson, 34, Rochester, Minn., as he attempted to pass another southbound car, according to Freeborn County Deputy Sheriff Carl Lindahl. Reierson also was killed in the accident. Lindahl said the other car was driven by Francis Thompson, Northwood farmer.

Mrs. Nugent and Albert Nugent both were injured and taken to Naeve hospital, Albert Lea. The baby was unhurt. The two adults were not dangerously hurt and were brought to Mercy hospital, Mason City, by ambulance. Albert was reported to have suffered 3 broken ribs and cuts about the face and head. They were reported improving Monday.

Both cars were a total wreck, according to Sheriff Lindahl. Nugent received his new Oldsmobile last Dec. 4 as part of the government’s compensation to him for loss of his left leg below the knee.

Mr. Nugent is survived by another brother, Raymond, 315 19th N.E. and 6 sisters, Miss Evelyn Nugent and Mrs. Leon De Rock, both of Mason City; Mrs. Gaylord DeBuhr, Rockford; and Mrs. William Bender, Mrs. Joseph Kroc, and Mrs. Louis Kroc, all of Austin, Minn.

Reierson’s body was still at the Bonnerup funeral home in Albert Lea. Reierson formerly lived a Kensett and funeral services will be held there, it was stated. He is survived by his wife and his mother, Mrs. Sophia Reierson, Kensett.

Nugent entered the Army in October, 1942. He was taken prisoner in Italy Dec. 15, 1943, and held by the Germans until his repatriation on the Gripsholm in June, 1944. He spent some time in Percy Jones hospital, Battle Creek, Mich., before being released from service. He had been employed since returning home in the office of the Mason City Brick and Tile company. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was born Aug. 11, 1918, in Mason City and had resided here throughout his lifetime, except for the time he was in the service. He was married to Betty Jane Muhlstein, June 6, 1942.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 31, 1947 (photo included)
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FRANCIS NUGENT SERVICES HELD
Military Rites Give at Local Cemetery

Funeral services for Francis D. Nugent, 28, who died Saturday of injuries received in an automobile accident, south of Albert Lea, Minn., were held Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Catholic church, with Father P. J. Behan officiating.

Mrs. A. C. Frisk and Mrs. C. F. Garland were in charge of flowers.

Attending the services from out of the city were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kroc and family, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Kroc, Mr. and Mrs. William Kroc and family and Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Kroc, all of Austin, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parent, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Miss Ruby Muhlstein, Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Florence Eiker and son, Maurice, and Mr. and Mrs. Ted Dorkendorf, all of St. Paul, Minn.; Ernest Kroc, Mrs. Burdette Snyder and Michael O’Leary, all of Austin, Minn.; Mrs. Margaret Muhlstein, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Roggemann, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Muhlstein and Mr. and Mrs. Neil Hansen, all of Rockwell.

Mr. and Mrs. Clause Carstens, Burchinal; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Miller, Neola, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John Jenkins, Albert Lea, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rusley, Eagle Grove, Iowa; Mrs. Tillie Errett and Mrs. Mae Griffen of Lawler, Iowa; and Mr. and Mrs. George Fritz, Oakland, Iowa.

Pallbearers were V. D. Veyle, W. M. Gregerson, Robert Logue, C. R. Pearson, A. C. Frisk and Walter Wieland. Ushers were Jerome Chute and Richard Casey. Interment was at St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery.

Military rites were held at the graveside. The color guard consisted of Warren Brown and Joe Rex, color bearers, Bob Carroll and Chuck Coyle. The firing squad, under the command of Bill Clausen, included Paul Fritz, Paul Brown, John Reardon, Kenny Hutzell, Leo Danehy, Ed Claus, and Frank Waychus. John Pinta was bugler and Elias Kelroy presented the colors.

The Meyer funeral home in charge.

Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, April 3, 1947