William C. Damsgaard (1953)
DAMSGAARD, HARRISON
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 1/13/2007 at 14:57:54
Earlham Echo - March 5, 1953
Earlham, IowaTWO DEAD IN TRAIN-CAR COLLISION; COMMUNITY SEEKING SAFER CROSSING
On Monday, March 2, William Damsgaard, 48, and his son, Robert, 19, were coming to Earlham, little suspecting that sudden and tragic death awaited them within a few minutes.
Their approach to the Rock Island crossing at the southeast corner of the Earlham cemetery and the Rock Island “Cornbelt Rocket”, due through Earlham at 1:34 p.m. was simultaneous, with the Rocket striking the Damsgaard car broadside. Black rubber marks indicated that the front tires of the car had cleared the north rail by about six inches.
More details about the accident followed.
Double funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Earlham Methodist church with Rev. John Alexander in charge. Burial was at the Winterset cemetery.
Earlham Echo - March 12, 1953
OBITUARY
WILLIAM DAMSGAARD
William C. Damsgaard was born June 15, 1904 at Earlham, to Carl and Christine Damsgaard. He was the second child in a family of eight children. He passed away in an accident March 2, 1953 near Earlham, at the age of 48 years, eight months and 15 days.
Bill spent his entire life in Minnesota and Iowa, except for about six years, when he lived in Montana. He has been farming extensively in Dallas and Madison counties for the past 20 years. He was an excellent farmer, deeply devoted to his livestock and marchinery.
On October 12, 1946 he was married to Rosey Harrison of Winterset. On November 15, 1952 a little daughter, Shirley Jean was born to this union.
Besides his son, Robert, by a previous marriage who passed away in the same accident, he was preceded in death by a small brother and his father.
He is survived by his wife, Rosey, and daughter, Shirley Jean; his mother, Mrs. Christine Damsgaard of Stillwater, Minnesota; five sisters, all of Minnesota; and a brother, Arnold, of Earlham. He is also survived by his aunts, uncles and a host of friends.
In his busy farm life, Bill always found time to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was a kind loving husband and father and will be greatly missed by his devoted wife and baby, his entire family, as well as his neighbors and friends.
____________________________________________________________Winterset Madisonian, March 11, 1953, Pg 2
Winterset, IowaDAMSGAARD RITES HELD THURSDAY
Double Services Were Held for Victims of Crash at Rail Crossing
Funeral services were held Thursday from the Earlham Methodist church for William C. and Robert W. Damsgaard, father and son killed March 2 in the train-car collision at the Rock Island rail crossing southeast of Earlham.
The Rev. John L. Alexander of the Earlham Methodist church conducted the services. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
William C. Damsgaard was born June 13, 1904 at Harlan, a son of Carl and Christine Damsgaard. His early life was spent in Minnesota and Iowa, except for six years when he lived in Montana. He had been farming in Madison and Dallas counties for the last 20 years.
He survived by his wife, Mrs. Rosy Damsgaard; a daughter, Shirley Jean; his mother, Mrs. Christine Damsgaard of Stillwater, Minn.; five sisters, all living in Minnesota; and a brother, Arnold Damsgaard, of Earlham.
Robert W. Damsgaard was born May 4, 1933 at Earlham, a son of William C. and Lela Damsgaard. His entire life had been spent on his father's farms in Madison and Dallas counties.
His first six years of school were spent at the North River rural school. He completed grade school and high school at DeSoto.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Lela Damsgaard of Stuart; his step-sister, Shirley Jean; his step-mother, Mrs. Rosy Damsgaard; his grandmother, Mrs. Christine Damsgaard of Stillwater, Minn.; and grandfather, Leonard Jordan of Gray.
Gravestone Photo
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