Paul R. Pothast

POTHAST, DUNHAM, BOEKE, ERICKSON

Posted By: Patricia Schweinebart (email)
Date: 5/26/2008 at 09:46:09

Marshalltown Times Republic 17 Jan 1972

Rites Tuesday for Victim of Explosion

Services will be at 1:30 p.m Tuesday at Pursel Davis Chapel for Paul Pothast, 25, rural Melbourne, who died Saturday afternoon. Death was attributed to injuries suffered in an explosion at his farm while he was working on a well water pressure tank.
The accident occurred about 2:45 p.m. Saturday and death according to Dr. Harold Sauer, Marshall County medical examiner, was due to a compound skull fracture.
Found By Wife
Authorities said no one say the accident. Apparently Pothast was looking down into the well pit when the explosion occurred. He was discovered by his wife who summoned help to remove him from the pit, said the investigating officer.
Mr. Pothast was born Sept. 25, 1946, in Marshalltown, a son of Lester Pothast and Annie Dunham Pothast, and was graduated from Marshalltown High School. Since then he had been employed by Fisher Controls Company.
Married Month Ago
He was married to Marlene Erickson Dec. 10, 1971, at Newton and she survives with two children by a previous marriage, Westley Wade and Pamala Marie; his mother, Mrs. Annie Pothast and one brother, Henry Pothast, both of Melbourne
Also surviving are two half brothers and one half sister, Dr. Miles Pothast of Ventura, Kenneth Pothast of Melbourne, and Mrs. Arnold (Beverly) Lemker of Haverhill. He was preceded in death by his father in 1970.
Mr. Pothast was a member of the Van Cleve United Church of Christ. The Rev. Charles Eversman will be in charge and burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.