Beeck, Richard 1939-1963

BEECK, OUELLETTE, ALBRIGHT

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/3/2019 at 19:55:50

Young Akron Couple Killed In One-Car Accident Saturday Night

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Beeck, young Akron couple, were fatally injured in a one-car accident with John Otten, jr., passenger and owner of the car, reported in satisfactory condition in the Akron hospital late Saturday night [July 20].

An eye witness reported that it appeared a tire blew out. The car hit a pole, causing the hood to lift up blocking the view and the vehicle crashed into a county bridge on a blacktop road three miles east of Westfield at 11:40 p.m. Saturday.

Mrs. Beverly Beeck, 19, and her unborn child died at 4:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Mercy hospital in Sioux City after she was transferred from Akron Community hospital. She had suffered chest injuries, fractures of both legs and cuts. Her husband, Richard Gust Beeck, 23, was dead from head injuries upon arrival at the Akron hospital. John Otten, jr., suffered a cracked shoulder blade, cuts and bruises.

Investigators were Highway Patrolmen Larry Colgalzier and Richard Helmers who reported all three were thrown out of the car, which was a 1955 Ford, northbound from Merrill. After striking the bridge the car hit a utility pole guy wire before overturning in a farm driveway, landing on its top. The vehicle was a total loss.

Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Beeck were held at 10 o'clock Wednesday at St. Agnes Catholic church at Vermillion, Rev. Hugh K. Wolf officiating. Burial was at Calvary cemetery there.

Mr. Beeck was born July 27, 1939, at Hawarden. Mrs. Beeck, the former Beverly Ann Ouellette, was born February 14, 1944, at Vermillion. They were married August 9, 1962, at Luverne, Minn.

Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gust Beeck of Akron; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ouellette of Vermillion; his sister, Miss Dora Ann Beeck and his brother, Terry Lee Beeck, both of Akron; her two brothers, Edmund and Richard Ouellette, both of Vermillion; his grandmother, Mrs. Fred Beeck of Akron, and his grandfather, Fred Albright of Redmond, Ore., and her grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Lambert of Vermillion.

Source: Hawarden Independent, July 25, 1963.