PETERSEN, Alwin

PETERSEN, HAMMER, MASS, UTEMARK

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 10/24/2006 at 15:02:19

GLENWOOD OPINION-TRIBUNE
DATED MON., DECEMBER 21, 1936:

Alwin Petersen, 82, died at 5:00 a.m. Friday from burns received late Thursday in an explosion that resulted when he accidentally used gasoline to start a fire in the stove at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ella Hammer, north of Tabor, with whom he was living.

Mr. Petersen was alone at the time, and although quite badly burned abut the body by the flames, was able to check the fire and call the doctor. The telephone operator called neighbors who rushed to the home and helped bring the fire under control. His daughter was in Omaha at the time of the accident.

It was believed that Mr. Petersen picked up a can of gasoline by mistake in making the fire as both gasoline and kerosene were kept in the house.

The body was taken to the Reeves funeral home in Tabor.

Mr. Petersen was born in Germany and after coming to this country he lived on a farm near Treynor and Glenwood before coming to the home of his daughter several years ago. Surviving besides the daughter, Mrs. Hammer, are two other children, Frank Petersen of Belvidere, S.D., and Mary Petersen of Mitchell, S.D.; two step-children, Edith Mass of Silver City and Martin Utemark of Glenwood.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church in Tabor Sunday afternoon, and burial was made in the Treynor cemetery.