MAAKESTAD, John 1897--1975

MAAKESTAD, KLEMESRUD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 12/15/2009 at 09:11:06

#1 of 3 items:

OSAGE, IOWA — Services for John Maakestad, 77, who died of burns and exposure after his clothing caught fire at his rural home near Rock Creek Saturday, will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Rock Creek Lutheran, Church; burial in Rock Creek Cemetery; Champion Funeral Home of Osage is in charge of arrangements; survived by two brothers, Edwin Sr. of Osage, Leonard of Mitchell; two sisters, Mrs. Clarence Klemesrud and Mrs. Kenneth Klemesrud, both of Osage.

[Waterloo Courier Monday, January 27, 1975]

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#2 of 3 items:

OSAGE, IOWA - A 77-year-old retired Mitchell County farmer burned to death Saturday afternoon when his clothing caught fire while he was lighting an oil burner.

John Maakestad was found dead on the porch of his farmhouse nine miles southwest of Osage by a
snowmobiler at about 3 p.m. Saturday. He lived alone.

The unidentified snowmobiler called the Osage police and said he thought the man had had an accident on his front porch.

Authorities found the man's body where he had apparently collapsed after running outside when his clothes caught fire.

RICHARD BOEKE, assistant Mitchell County medical examiner, said death was attributed to burns and exposure.

Evidence inside the house suggested that Maakestad was lighting the second burner of an oil space heater, when the unit backfired, igniting his clothes. He ran outside, but the winds apparently helped to fan the fire. The victim was burned on 100 per cent of his body. Most of his clothes was burned off.

Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play. His television and lights were on, according to Mitchell deputy Vincent Putzier, who responded to the call.

Mitchell authorities ask the anonymous snowmobiler to contact their office so they can complete their reports.

The farm was located in the Rock Creek area.

[Waterloo Courier Monday, January 27, 1975]

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#3 of 3 items:

The Social Security Death Indx said: "JOHN MAAKESTAD" born 06 Jun 1897; died Jan 1975 residing at ZIP code 50461 (Osage, Mitchell, IA); SSN: 485-44-0521 issued in Iowa.