Peterson, Russell Victor (1904-1944)

PETERSON, OLSON, MCCAUSLAND, KULANDER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/26/2015 at 15:40:41

Webster City Freeman, Monday, November 20, 1944

FARMER DIES AT HOSPITAL

Russel Peterson Was Hit by Train Near Jewell Tuesday

Russell Peterson, Ellsworth farmer who was injured early Tuesday morning in a train-auto accident north of Jewell, died shortly before 2 p.m. Friday [November 17] never having regained consciousness.

Peterson's car was struck and practically demolished by a northbound C & N W freight train at about 7 a.m. Tuesday when the farmer, who was on his way to help pick corn on a nearby farm, drove his car across the rail crossing just west of the Chris Vespestad farm home.

Due to early morning fog, visibility was poor, and it is presumed Peterson failed to see the train. The train's crew was unaware of the accident, and the injured man lay unconscious for more than an hour before he was found by Vespestad.

An ambulance from Jewell was called, but it was nearly 9 o'clock before the injured farmer could be extricated from the wreckage and brought to the Hamilton county hospital.

Peterson reportedly suffered a basic skull fracture, a broken pelvic bone and a punctured lung in addition to possible other internal injuries.

The Peterson family has lived north of Ellsworth for the past two years having moved to that community from a farm several miles south of that town. Besides his widow, Mr. Peterson is survived by three children, Leslie, Marilyn and LaVonne. His mother, Mrs. Ellen Peterson, and his sister, Lorinne, were called from Mason City Tuesday night by the accident.

[Russell Victor Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Peterson, was born at Swea City, Iowa on April 29, 1904, and died at Webster City, Iowa on Nov. 17, 1944, at the age of 40 years, 6 months and 18 days.

He was baptized at Swea City by the Rev. Seashore in June, 1904, and was confirmed by the Rev. Gesselquist on Nov. 30, 1919 at Elmore, Minn.

He was graduated from Elmore High School in 1923.

On Sept. 6, 1928, he was united in marriage with Beatrice Olson at Randall, Iowa. To this union three children were born; Leslie, 15 years old, Marilyn, 12 and LaVon 6.

Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. Victor Peterson, of Mason City, and three sisters, Mrs. E. J. McCausland, Black River, N.Y.; Mrs. E. L. Kulander, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Lorraine of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his father, Victor Peterson, who passed away March 26, 1938 at Mason City.

After moving to the Randall community he joined Elim Lutheran church.

Funeral services were held on Monday at Elim Lutheran church at Randall. Burial was made in Mt. Olive cemetery at Randall.]