Popken, Arthur 1916-1954

POPKEN, KLEMME, JANSSEN, JOHNSON, ROLFS

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/22/2009 at 09:55:19

The Alton Democrat, Alton, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, February 4, 1954

Craig Farmer Dies After Car Collision West of Ireton

Arthur Popken died Saturday morning(January 30, 1954) from injuries received in a car truck collision two miles west of Ireton. His wife, Irene Klemme Popken, and son Lawayne, 8 and Edward Van Engen, 62, driver of the truck are still in the Hawarden hospital with severe injuries.

The boy was being taken to the hospital for treatment following polio at the time of the accident which happened at an intersection two miles west of the Ireton cemetery. The Popken car was traveling north and the truck was going east.

Mr. Popken died three hours after the accident. The boy received several broken ribs and fractured his "good" leg. Mrs. Popken was cut and bruised, Mr. Van Engen suffered a broken leg and broken jaw.

Mr. Popken was a well known Craig farmer, president of the St. John's Lutheran church board and director of the Preston township school board. He was born January 18 1916, and was married to Irene Klemme. Survivors besides his wife and son, are a daughter Lennice, 12, two brothers, George and Ernest; three sisters. Mrs. Adeline Janssen, Mrs. Onno Johnson and Mrs, Elmer Rolfs, all of Craig. Funeral services were held February 3 at St John's Lutheran church at Craig