Louis Richard Brehmer (1919-1943)

BREHMER, GIERKE

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

The town of Hartley was shocked to learn that Louis Brehmer, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Brehmer, had passed away early last Thursday morning at an Oskaloosa hospital following a motorcycle crash near there on Tuesday night. It was thought by the attending physician, Dr. K. L. Johnston, that Louis was recovering, but death came to him early on the second morning following the disaster.

His companion William Trussel, 18, of Albia died at the same hospital on Wednesday as a result of serious head and body in juries. Louis suffered a broken leg and fatal chest injuries. According to the report made to the Mahaska county sheriff, Louis and his companion were riding east on highway 163 on a motorcycle when the cycle struck the rear bumper of a car driven by a Pella man, Bush Donary, as the latter was crossing a creek bridge. The compact [sic] threw the motorcycle out of control and into the path of an automobile going west, and driven by a teighton farmer, William Kelderman.

Mr. Kelderman stated that he saw the motorcycle go out of control and attempted to turn to the right into a side road, but was unable to do so before the motorcycle struck the front of his car on the right shoulder. The impact threw the cycle riders to the pavement while the cycle careened into the creek. The mptorcycle was slightly damaged, and the front end of the Kelderman car was also crushed, but only slight damage was done to the Donary machine. Occupants of the two cars escaped with shock.

Louis had been employed for some time as chief mechanic at the Pella airport. He had previously been employed here in Hartley as projectionest at the Capitol theatre. His greatest interest, however, lay in the field of aviation, and it was one of the great pleasures of his life when he became a licensed pilot. He and his high school friend, Dale Brower, rebuilt a wrecked plane into one like new, which he still kept at the Pella airport.

Louis Richard, son of John and Alma Brehmer, was born in Hartley, Iowa, on June 30, 1919. He was baptized in infancy by the Rev. T. S. Bassett. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Sunday school and later the church. He attended the local schools and graduated from Hartley high school with the class of 1937. Louis had a very sunny disposition, and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances. He was a model son and a loving brother, not given to excesses in any way. He was deferred in the draft because of his position as an A. and E. mechanic.

He passed away on April 29, 1943, in the Mahaska hospital at Oskaloosa, aged 23 years, 9 months and 29; days.

Louis leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father and mother, four brothers, Merritt of Williams, Calif.; Forrest, Maurice and Max of San Francisco, Calif.; his twin sister Louise of San Francisco, and Amy at home, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the Methodist church. Pallbearers were Earl Pohlman and Roy Christopher of Pella, Lambert Fechter and Dale Brower of Iowa City, and Vincent and Arno Moore of Hartley.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 6 May 1943, p1