Lester K. Hatland 1937-1956

HATLAND, ERICKSON, ENGLAND

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/9/2011 at 20:41:02

Lester Hatland, 19, Drowns in Oklahoma
Stationed at Altus A.F. Base
Airman third class Lester Hatland, 19, son of Esther V. Hatland and the late Earl Hatland of Estherville, was drowned late Sunday while swimming with friends in Lake Altus, near Altus, Okla.

He was stationed at Altus Air Force base.

According to an Associated Press report, Hatland, who was learning to swim, got in deep water and went under. His body was recovered almost immediately but efforts to revive him failed.

A graduate of Dolliver high school in the spring of 1955. Hatland enlisted in the Air Force Dec. 2-, 1955, and was assigned clerical work in the administrative department at Altus.

Earl Hatland, local farmer and father of Lester, died here on Oct. 11, 1951, from a blood clot which formed as a result of injuries he received in an auto accident two miles east of Emmet Consolidated school.

Surviving besides his mother are three sisters, Mrs. Dale Erickson, Mrs. Gilbert England and Eunice Hatland, and a brother, Everett Hatland, all of Estherville.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Mrs. Hatland was informed by Air Force officials at Altus of her son’s death through a telephone call last night. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 16, 1956)