Donald Roy Enerson 1953-1966

ENERSON, HARRIS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/8/2012 at 00:43:21

Enerson Boy Drowns
Donald Roy Enerson, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Enerson of rural Estherville, drowned yesterday at 4:20 p.m. when he fell out of a boat in Center Lake.

Donald had been fishing with his father and another relative from a duck boat. The two adults left to fish from a spot on Lake West Okoboji and when the father returned approximately 45 minutes later, his son’s body had already been recovered.

Witnesses in another boat said Donald apparently fell over the side of the boat about 100 yards from shore while trying to lift the anchor. They said they yelled at the boy to hang onto the boat, but that he disappeared before anyone could reach him.

According to his family, Donald was a good swimmer, but he was dressed in a heavy raincoat at the time of the accident. The Great Lakes Rescue Squad was called and recovered the body.

Donald Enerson was born Sept. 5, 1953, in Estherville. He lived all his life with his family on farms near Estherville, and attended school here. He was a member of the Estherville Lutheran Church.

Donald is survived by his parents; five sisters, Mrs. Leland (Ruby) Harris of Estherville; Janet Enerson of Omaha, Neb.; and Doris, Edna, and Mary at home; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Emma Enerson of rural Estherville.

Family services will be held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Estherville Lutheran Church, followed by public services at 3 p.m., Rev. Roy Hendrickson officiating. Burial will be in East Side Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Reese Funeral Home after 7 o’clock tonight and until 10 a.m. Saturday when the body will be taken to the church to lie in state until time of services. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 9, 1966)