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Bert Clifford Bergeson 1902-1919

BERGESON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/17/2014 at 01:33:01

Wallingford Boy Drowned Last Friday
Bert Bergeson Died While He Was Swimming in River With His Companion
Bert, the seventeen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Bergeson, of Wallingford, met death in the Des Moines river last Friday [July 11, 1919] afternoon. He, together with some companions, were swimming about one-half mile north of the Wallingford bridge. One of the boys went across the river and Bert attempted to follow him. When he reached midstream he was seen to turn around and start back. He sank out of sight when about ten feet from shore and his companions were unable to render him any assistance. The body was found last Sunday afternoon, a considerable distance from the scene of the tragedy.

The sad death of this young man was a shock to the entire community. He was known in this city where he came occasionally to spend the day. Funeral services were held from the Lutheran church Monday afternoon and burial was made in this city at the North Side cemetery. The bereaved parents have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their loss. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 16, 1919)

Bergeson Boy is Drowned
Details of the Sad Accident Related in Twelve Mile Lake Newslets
One of the saddest accidents that has ever occurred in this neighborhood happened last Friday evening at about 8 o’clock when the seventeen year old son of Halvor Bergeson drowned in the river north of Wallingford. The lad, with several other companions, attempted to cross the stream, his friends succeeded in reaching the other side of the stream but he went under coming to the top once and that was the last that was seen of him until Sunday afternoon when the searching party succeeded in recovering his body. The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Riverside church and burial took place at the Oak Hill [per cemetery records, Norwegian Cemetery] cemetery near Estherville. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 16, 1919)

Bert Bergeson Drowned
Carried Under While Learning to Swim in the Des Moines River
The West Des Moines has once more taken its toll of death. Friday evening at about ten o’clock a young lad of seventeen, Bert Bergeson, of Wallingford, attempted to swim across the river above the bridge at that place and failed. The boy was just learning to swim and refusing the aid of his instructors, boys of about his own age, started back across the river after having gained the opposite bank while they were teaching him. His strength failed, however, and his companions were unable to reach him before he was carried away by the current. The body was not recovered until Sunday afternoon. Services were held on Monday and the remains were laid to rest in the Norwegian Lutheran cemetery in Estherville.

Bert was an exceptionally fine lad, very popular not only among those of his own age but with the older people as well. The community as well as the family suffers from his loss.

All extend their sympathy to the grieving ones. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, July 16, 1919)


 

Emmet Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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