Sabula Child Falls Through Ice

FRANZEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/23/2007 at 17:48:56

Maquoketa Community Press, January 12, 1960:
Falls Through Ice
Sabula Child, 6, Drowns In River.
Sabula, Jan. 11-
Despite near successful efforts to rescue him, a 6 year old Sabula boy, Lyndell Lee Franzen, drowned about 4 p.m. Thursday, when he apparently broke through thin ice on the Mississippi River near here. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. August Franzen of Sabula.
The child drowned near the old ferry landing near River Street, just across from the hotel.
Deputy Sheriff George O. Porter said Danny Thayer, 6, the Franzen boy's playmate, evidently saw the drowning victim fall through the ice. The Thayer boy rushed to a nearby grocery to summon help.
Fred Markwell, store proprietor, ran to the scene. Eye witnesses told the deputy sheriff that the grocer grabbed the youngster's hand, but it slipped from his grasp.
Firemen from Sabula, Savanna and Mt. Carroll, along with personnel from Carroll County, Illinois Sheriff's Office were called to the scene. Savanna's civil defense amphibious duck joined rescue operations and broke the ice.
With the aid of volunteers, firemen searched for the Franzen child's body. Four and a half hours later, a boat operated by Bert Sandholt of Sabula, came on the body. Deputy Porter said it was located about 35 feet from the bank 100 feet downstream from where the child broke through the ice.
Dr. Kenneth R. Sorenson of Sabula, a deputy county coroner, reported the child accidentally drowned.
The body of the Franzen boy was taken to the Allen Funeral Home in Sabula. Funeral services were held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Catholic Church. The Rev. Ivan G. Boyd, pastor, officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery.
Lyndell was born Apr. 28, 1953 in Savanna, Illinois, a son of August and Iola Schmidt Franzen. He was in the first grade at the Sabula school.
He is survived by his parents, five sisters, Mrs. Robert (Leta) Lohmeier, Mrs. Harold (Sharon) Jess, Mrs. Ray (Sandra) Woodhurst, Lynanne and Lanelle, all of Sabula, three brothers, Nolan, Terrill and Gaylen, all at home, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schmidt of Preston.