Gerndt , Johnnie 1969-1989

GENDT, BOTHEL, DRAHN, SAWVELL, SPORES

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/28/2011 at 05:48:52

Johnnie Gerndt, 20, McGregor, died in a one-car accident early Sunday morning in Prairie du Chien. Gerndt was a passenger in the auto driven by Robert M. Engelhardt, 18, McGregor.

At 1:10 a.m. Engelhardt was northbound on North Marquette Road. The 1985 Dodge was owned by his brother, Jon Engelhardt,who is in the service. The car left the roadway, skidded side-ways, rolled over several times, and landed upside down. The vehicle traveled a total of 345 feet and ended up in the National Guard Armory parking lot.

Gerndt was thrown from the vehicle and was killed instantly. Apparently, he was not wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead by Coroner Jan Lund. Engelhardt was taken to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital by the Prairie du Chien Rescue Squad with facial and shoulder injuries. It is reported shoulder surgery may be performed. He is a junior at Mar-Mac High School and is the son of Dave Engelhardt and Marguerite Engelhardt. He has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

Funeral services for Johnnie Gerndt are set for today, Apr. 12, at 2 p.m. at Mar-Mac School. Students will be released at 1 p.m. Rev. Kay Harding will officiate.

Gerndt was a 1987 graduate of Mar-Mac High School. He was employed by Marquette Manufacturing of Prairie du Chien. Gerndt lived above Scotlin Ceramics on Main Street in an apartment owned by Charlie Zahn.

He is survived by: his parents, Robert and Ruth Gerndt, rural McGregor; two brothers, Gene, a freshman at Upper Iowa University and Harry in seventh grade; one sister, Karen, a senior at Mar-Mac; his dear Uncle Ross Gerndt; uncles and aunts, Mr. Earl Bothel, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Drahn, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bothel, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bothel, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Sawvell, Rita Spores, and Mr.and Mrs. Harold Spores, Jr; his grandmother, Mrs. Lorene Bothel; and, a host of other relatives and friends.

Copied from Clipping Collection of June Larson - no birth or death dates are given, "89" is written on top of clipping, birthdate calculated from age.