John Joseph H. Puhrmann (1875-1949)

PUHRMANN, SMIDT, MERTENS, KOCK, KOCH, BOYSEN, WARNKE, APPELDORN, MILLER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 9/1/2021 at 15:24:23

John Puhrmann Dies in Car Crash at Highway Intersection Sunday

Funeral services were held here Saturday for John H. Puhrmann, a long-time resident who was killed instantly Sunday morning in a car collision at the intersection of highways 10 and 59. Mr. Puhrmann, enroute to the home of his daughter, Mrs. John (Velma) Smidt had evidently just driven on to highway 59 when his car crashed almost head-on with one coming from the north.

Mrs. Della Hansen, Ruthon, Minnesota a passenger in the other car figuring in the accident, was injured and at present is still a patient in the Primghar hospital. Brought here for emergency treatment, Mrs. Hansen was then transferred to the hospital because of internal injuries. Mrs. Taarud, Balaton, Minn., wife of the driver of the car, received only minor injuries. Also in the car were Mrs. Fred Christensen and two of her sons from Slayton, Minnesota.

The accident occurred about 10 a.m. Sunday. Sheriff E. J. Leemkuil, who investigated the accident, said Mr. Puhrmann's car was struck when it turned onto Highway 59. Mr. Taarud was traveling south on the highway. At an inquest Sunday afternoon, Dr. A. J. Wagner, county coroner determined the cause of the death was accidental.

Funeral services were held March 16 [1949] at 1:30 from the home and at 2 o'clock at Zion Lutheran church with Rev. Martin Peters officiating. Interment was in Prairie View Cemetery. Pallbearers were Fritz Meyer, [Unknown Mitchell], Richard Wiese, Ina Dornbusch, Sr., Carl Westphal and Otto Koch

John [Joseph] Puhrmann, son of John and Wilhelmina [Mertens] Puhrmann, was born at Homewood, Cook County, Illinois on October 12, 1875. At the age of 4½ years he came with his parents to this community where they settled on a farm in Caledonia Township.

He was married to Tina Kock May 29, 1904. To them were born three sons and one daughter. The Puhrmanns lived on a farm northwest of Paullina until 1933 when they retired and made their home in Paullina. Mrs. Puhrmann preceded her husband in death on June 29, 1942.

Mr. Puhrmann was 73 years, 5 months and 1 day old at the time of his death.

He is survived by his sons Harry and Elmer of Paullina, Melvin of Bonesteel, South Dakota and his daughter Mrs. Velma Smidt of Gaza, Iowa and 11 grandchildren, two brothers, Henry of Sutherland and Arthur of Cleghorn, and four sisters, Minnie (Mrs. B. Boysen), Anna (Mrs. Fred Warnke), Clara (Mrs. William Appeldorn), and Lilly (Mrs. Walter Miller)

Source: Paullina Times - March 17, 1949 - Pages 1 & 10

Contributor: Kent Pauling