Lee Arden Clark 1926-1952

CLARK, BREFFLE, HELGESON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/7/2013 at 15:44:15

Finds Lee Clark Dead in Car
Farmhand, 26, Dies of Asphyxiation
Lee Clark, 26, farmhand was found dead in his car in a grove on the Sherman Gunderson farm one mile west of Wallingford late last night. Justice of Peace Eugene Peterson, acting coroner, said that the cause of death was asphyxiation. A hose was connected from the exhaust to the interior of the closed car.

The body was discovered by Gunderson about 11 o’clock last night. Gunderson had just returned from Austin, Minn., where he had attended a wedding when he discovered a note of the table from Clark saying “good bye” and telling where he (Clark) could be found. The note also said that the chores hadn’t been done. Dr. Smith Kirkegaard said that Clark had been dead from six to 12 hours. He had worked for Gunderson for about five years. Investigating officers said that the note Clark left gave no reason for his action. As far as is known he was not in ill health.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Clark who live on Ingham Lake, a brother, Max, of Emmetsburg and a sister, Mrs. Doris Halgason, also of Emmetsburg.

The funeral tentatively has been set for Thursday. Complete arrangements will be announced later. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 30, 1952)

Lee Clark Was Interested in Poetry, Art
Lee Arden Clark, 26, died June 29 at the home of Sherman Gunderson a mile west of Wallingford where he had worked for five years with the exception of seven month’s service in the air force.

He received a medical discharge from service in November, 1951, and returned home to become a member of the Wallingford Legion Post 567 in the latter part of November, 1951.

Keenly interested in art work and composing verse, some of his poetry has been read on The Starlite Road over radio station WHO. He has sold many of his drawings and made gifts of many to his friends and relatives.

Military funeral services were held July 3 at the Wallingford Lutheran church with the Rev. C.B. Gunderson officiating and the Martin funeral home in charge. Burial was in High Lake cemetery near his home.

Organist was Mrs. Thomas Nelson and Alan Hersleff sang “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Serving as pallbearers were Lowell Rustad, Wayne Richard, Ralph Torreson, Merlyn Twito, Philip Herum and Dick Herum. Honorary pallbearer was David Cook.

Born April 26, 1926, at Emmetsburg, he continued living in the Emmetsburg community until the age of 17. He attended Emmetsburg high school for three years, entering Cylinder high school as a senior and graduating in the spring of 1944.

After graduation he moved with his parents to a farm a mile north of Wallingford where he stayed until April, 1948. At that time he began work for Sherman Gunderson.

He was confirmed and became a member of the Wallingford Lutheran church Dec. 5, 1948.

Surviving his death are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Clark of Ingham Lake; a brother, Max of Emmetsburg; a sister, Mrs. Clarence Helgeson of Emmetsburg; four nephews; one niece and many other relatives and friends.

Out of town relatives and friends attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bontz of Ashland, Neb., Lee A. Breffle and Mrs. Fanny McClure of Sibley, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Knudslien of Charles City. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 15, 1952)