Joe Solsma (-1959)

SOLSMA, RUNIA

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 9/26/2016 at 03:36:10

Joe Solsma Family Asphyxiated!

Plugged Chimney Causes Death of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Solsma and Son

News of the worst tragedy in the Sanborn area in recent years broke Tuesday night when the Joe Solsma family was found asphyxiated in their farm home four miles east of here on 18. Dead were Joe, Sr. 50, Mrs. Solsma 46, and their son Joseph 12.

The bodies were discovered by Mr. and Mrs. John Runia, of Ocheyedan, son-in-law and daughter of the Solsmas. They stopped at the Solsma home at about 9:00 Tuesday night to find out why the family had failed to show up at a family reunion.

Deputy Sheriff Robert Bornholt was notified, and he and Coroner Jim Vander Ploeg investigated the tragedy. They found the body of Mr. Solsma on the floor in the living room, Mrs. Solsma lying on a davenport and the boy beside a davenport in the dining room. The bodies were taken to the Sanborn Funeral Home. Deputy Bornholt's preliminary investigation gave the cause of death as asphyxiation caused by a plugged chimney. Coroner Vander Ploeg estimated the Solsmas had died sometime Monday evening. The large farm home is heated by a regular sized furnace in the basement.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, Dec 31, 1959, p1

Mr and Mrs John Runia of near Ocheyedan are the parents of a son born Christmas morning Jerry Lee weighed eight and one half pounds Mrs Runia is the former Marjorie Solsma This is the first grandson for Mr and Mrs Joe Solsma Mr and Mrs John Hofman are the great grandparents

Thu, Jan 7, 1959 Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer Page : 6