Richardson, Betty Mae Samuelson (1927-1967)

RICHARDSON, SAMUELSON, STOUT, GLADWIN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/14/2015 at 16:23:30

Daily Freeman Journal, Wednesday, June 7, 1967

2 Webster City Residents Killed in Crash

Auto, Truck In Collision Near Hampton

A virtual head-on crash between a car and a gasoline delivery truck yesterday afternoon near Hampton took the lives of Mrs. Norman (Betty) Richardson, 39, and Karen Gersema, 12, both of this city.

Critically injured with head injuries was Mr. and Mrs. Richardson's daughter, Julie Richardson, 12, who was rushed to Mercy hospital in Des Moines following the crash to undergo surgical treatment.

The driver of the truck, Ernest Hopkey of Hampton, reportedly suffered a minor arm injury in the accident which occurred at 2:30 p.m. two miles west of Hampton. A car, a 1967 convertible, was virtually demolished by the impact, and the front of the gas truck, owned by Farm Service, was heavily damaged.

Highway Patrolman Carl Condon and Franklin County Sheriff Ralph Jones, assisted by other patrol members, investigated the tragedy which occurred at the intersection of Highway 3 and what is known as the Stevens St. blacktop.

Both vehicles were on Highway 3, according to the investigating officials, with Mrs. Richardson heading west out of Hampton and the truck coming around a curve from the west.

Mrs. Richardson was wedged in the front seat of the wrecked auto, and the two girls were found in the back seat, according to investigating officers.

Mrs. Richardson had been employed as a bookkeeper at Held and Symens, Inc. in Webster City since January. According to officials of the local implement firm, Mrs. Richardson had driven to Hampton to pick up some farm machinery parts and was returning to Webster City with them. She decided to take the two girls, both neighborhood friends, along for the ride.

Karen Gersema's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Don Gersema, were reportedly on a vacation trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, having just arrived in Nevada Monday evening.

Late this morning, Mercy hospital officials in Des Moines reported that Julie Richardson was still in critical condition and was a patient in the intensive care ward.

Rites to Be Held Friday For Victims

Funeral services for Mrs. Norman (Betty) Richardson, 39, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Foster Funeral home with the Rev. S. W. Cunningham officiating and with burial in the Graceland cemetery.

Betty Mae Samuelson, daughter of Walter W. and Addie Samuelson, was born Nov. 30, 1927, at Minneapolis. She received her elementary schooling in Minneapolis. In 1944, she moved with her parents to Webster City and was graduated from Webster City high school.

She was united in marriage Sept. 22, 1950, to Norman Richardson, and the couple had always resided in Webster City.

She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Julie, and a son, Marty, by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Samuelson of Webster City, two sisters, Mrs. George (Evelyn) Stout of Riverside, Calif. and Mrs. Robert (Bernice) Gladwin of Minneapolis, Minn.

Mrs. Richardson was a member of the Methodist church.

She had been employed at the Held and Symens Implement Co since January.