Cletus Marvin Weber 1933-1958

WEBER, LONG, HANSON, BAKER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/4/2011 at 23:07:53

Cletus Weber, 25, Killed When Truck Hits Light Pole
Occurs Near Spirit Lake
Cletus Marvin Weber, 25, of Estherville was killed when the truck he was driving slid out of control and crashed into an electric light pole east of Spirit Lake yesterday afternoon.

The accident occurred at 4:50 p.m. yesterday on a county gravel road three and a half miles east and a quarter of a mile south of Spirit Lake, according to Highway Patrolman Marilyn Mossman who investigated the accident. Dickinson county coroner, Dr. K. L. Clayton, says Weber died of a broken neck and a crushed skull.

The accident was not discovered until nearly an hour later when a passing motorist, Kenneth Gipner of Okoboji, noticed lights on the truck blinking and stopped to investigate. The electric pole was broken when the truck struck it and there were wires near it.

Gipner, fearing the wires might still be charged with electricity, summoned authorities immediately and the body was removed from the truck. Electric clocks in the area serviced by the broken line were stopped at 4:50 p.m., indicating the exact time of the accident.

Mossman says the truck apparently skidded into the ditch after striking loose gravel on the road. The truck which Weber was driving is owned by the Golden Sun Milling Co. of Estherville. He was an employee of that firm and made farm deliveries.

Survivors include his wife, his parents, a grandmother, four brothers and a sister. His wife is the former Anita Long. She is expecting their first child this month and is in Holy Family Hospital.

Mr. Weber was born Sept. 18, 1933 at Mallard, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Weber who now live in Emmetsburg. His brothers are Gerald of Graettinger, Richard of Estherville and Robert and Wilmer who live with their parents at Emmetsburg. The sister is Mrs. John (Jeanette) Hanson of Estherville and the grandmother is Mrs. Cora Baker of New Richland, Minn.

He received his education in the Ayrshire schools and served nearly four years in the Armed Forces. Following his release from service in October, 1957 he was employed by Golden Sun here.

Mr. Weber was married Nov. 23, 1957 at St. Patrick’s Church here. He was a member of that church.

Last rites will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Church, the Rev. James H. Duhigg officiating. Military graveside rites will follow.

Friends may call at Sandin-Fuhrman Funeral Home from Thursday afternoon until time of services Friday. A rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, September 24, 1958)