Braden, Dale (1918-1954)

BRADEN, JANSON, CALKINS

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/30/2014 at 07:53:45

Daily Freeman Journal, Saturday, December 11, 1954 and Monday, December 13, 1954

Train-Truck Crash Proves Fatal to W.C. Man

Dale Braden, 36, Succumbs to Head Injuries

Packing Company Truck Hit by Switch Engine at Waterloo

Injuries suffered in a truck-train crash at Waterloo proved fatal early this morning to Dale Braden, 36, Webster City, who died shortly after midnight at a Waterloo hospital.

Officials of the Nissen Packing Co. in Webster City, where Braden had been employed for the past 18 years, said he was driving one of the packing company's refrigerated trucks while out on a delivery route. The tragedy occurred at about 3:15 p.m. Friday at a crossing in the southwest section of Waterloo.

A Rock Island switch engine hit the right side of the truck as it was proceeding over the crossing, hurling the truck 96 feet. The truck rolled over at least once before landing upright in the yard of a residence.

The impact hurled Braden against the windshield, and he was thrown almost clear of the truck which was described as a total loss.

Death was attributed to a fracture of the lower skull. Scholtz Memorial hospital attendants said he failed to regain consciousness.

A veteran employee of the Webster City packing firm, Braden was employed as sales manager in the plant but was familiar with nearly all phases of the company's operations.

One of the regular truck drivers was ill Friday, so he took over the delivery route through the Waterloo area.

Funeral services will be announced later today with McCauley Chapman funeral home in charge, with Rev. M. E. Suhr officiating. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Dale Braden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Braden, was born Dec. 12, 1918, at Afton, Iowa. He attended school and was graduated from high school at Winterset, Iowa, in 1936, coming to Webster City the same year to accept employment with the Nissen Packing Co.

He was united in marriage to Miss Irene Janson of Webster City on Oct. 12, 1941 at Fairfield, Iowa. The family had always resided in Webster City since that time.

Survivors are his wife; two daughters, Dalene Sue and Rebecca Lynne; his mother, Mrs. Beulah Calkins of California; two brothers, Clifford of Freeport, Ill. and Philip of Norwalk, Calif.; his stepmother, Mrs. Ray Braden of Webster City.

He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers.

Mr. Braden was a member of American Legion, having served during World War II in the U.S. armed forces. He was active in the Masonic lodge, the O.E.S., White Shrine, and the Civil Air Patrol.

He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran church.

Braden Rites On Tuesday

Funeral services for Dale Braden will be at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the McCauley Chapman funeral home with Rev. Marvin E. Suhr officiating.

Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

An employee of the Nissen Packing Company here since 1936, he died shortly after midnight Saturday morning in Scholtz Memorial hospital at Waterloo of injuries suffered in a truck-train crash at Waterloo Friday afternoon.

He was employed as sales manager at Nissen's, but on Friday had taken over a truck delivery route in eastern Iowa when the regular driver became ill. The refrigerated truck he was driving was hit by a Rock Island switch engine at an intersection in southwest Waterloo, hurling the truck for 96 feet.

Death was attributed to a fracture of the lower skull. Hospital attendants said he never regained consciousness.

Surviving are his wife, two daughters, Dalene Sue and Rebecca Lynne; his mother, Mrs. Beulah Calkins of California; two brothers, Clifford of Freeport, Ill. and Philip of Norwalk, Calif. and his step-mother, Mrs. Ray Braden of Webster City. He was preceded in death by his father and two brothers.

A veteran of World War II, he was an active member of the American Legion. He was also active in the Masonic lodge, the O.E.S., White Shrine and the Civil Air Patrol.

The family has stated that friends, so desiring, may make contributions to a memorial fund for the Trinity Lutheran church.