BELZER, Fred Lawrence 1892-1933

BELZER, JOHNSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/14/2011 at 00:22:31

#1:

OBITUARY:

Fred L. Belzer was born at Ackley, Iowa, September 6, 1892, the son of Frank L. and Nora Belzer. The family later moved to Rock Rapids, then to Little Falls, Minnesota and to Noonan, North Dakota, settling in 1909 at Glasgow, Montana.

In 1916 Fred enlisted in the army and served on the Mexican border, attaining the rank of sergeant. In 1917 he was mustered into the A.E.F., and he went to France as a first Lieutenant in Company G. 163 Infantry, in the first contingent of the American army to go overseas. He was overseas a total of 18 months, about six months of which was spent with the army of occupation in Germany, returning to the United States in June 1919.

That fall he came to Osage to work in the offices of the Jas. A. Smith Lumber company, and two years later he became associated with M. S. Stacy in the coal business. Later they bought the ice business. After Mr. Stacy's death, Mr. Belzer conducted the coal and ice business, then extended his operations to include the production of agricultural and sugar processing limestone.

He was one of the most aggressive and hard-working men Osage has ever seen; acquainted with many lines of business; unflagging in courage and optimism. As a community asset he rated unusually high -- a willing and effective worker in every good cause. He will be missed as few local men have been missed.

On September 8, 1917, he married Gladys Johnson at Glasgow, Montana, and four children were born to them. Edwin and Donald preceded their father, and the others, with their mother, survive: a daughter, Geraldine, 11, and a son, Lawrence, 10.

The father and mother also survive, as do the following brothers and sisters: Lewis, Glasgow, Montana, William, Great Falls, Montana; Howard, Glasgow; Charles, Osage; Mrs. Clarence Hall, Glasgow; Mrs. J. Park Blair, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Funeral services (full military) were held Wednesday afternoon at the Congregational church, with burial in the Osage cemetery.

[ MITCHELL COUNTY PRESS & OSAGE NEWS - THURSDAY - JUNE 1, 1933 ]
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#2:

The Osage City Cemetery listing on IaGenWeb shows:

BELZER, FRED LAWRENCE (bur. loc) 0923 9 (death/burial) 31 MAY 1933.

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#3:

FRED BELZER DIED
FROM BLOOD CLOT
SUNDAY MORNING

The unexpected death of Fred Belzer Sunday morning, after he had made such a remarkable recovery from his accidental injury, came as a severe shock to the people of the community. He was considered practically beyond danger, and was to be moved from the hospital to his home in a few days. When stricken, he was visiting with his wife and had remarked that he was feeling too well to remain there much longer.

Death was caused by a blood clot. He had spent a comfortable night and was looking forward happily to an eawrly removal to his own home. The end came very suddenly.

A explained last week, Mr. Belzer met his accident while at work on a power shovel at Floyd, where he was doing some rock excavation. Attempting to crank the motor, it failed to start; then he inserted the crank again, and the engine started, whirling the crank and hitting him violently in the lower abdomen.

He was brought home in an ambulance, then taken to the Nissen hospital where a diagnosis revealed a ruptured intestine. An operation was performed that evening, with recovery unexpectedly rapid, only to have all hope tragically and abruptly ended by the blood clot.

Mr. Belzer's extensive business operations will be carried on under the management of his brother, Charles.