Marie Blust

BLUST

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/10/2008 at 14:09:09

MARIE BLUST
Falls Down Stairs at Legion hall Dies From Injuries
Grandma Blust Meets Sudden Death. Never Regained Consciousness After Fall

Amidst the merrymaking and business discussion of a gala day Wednesday, occurred one of the saddest and most shocking accidents that the Journal Herald has ever had to record when Mrs. Marie Blust, familiarly known as Grandma Blust, fell from the top to the bottom of the stairs leading from the Legion Hall, and was almost instantly killed.

This is a very steep stair and bystanders thought she lost her balance at the very top when she attempted to take hold of the hand rail and failed to gauge the distance correctly, she pitched forward and her body slid rapidly down to the bottom, striking every step on the way. No outcry escaped her and she was probably unconscious from the first shock. J.L. Dollinger was a few steps behind her and attempted to reach her but could not do so until she reached the landing where he picked her up. Dr. Pedersen was on the scene in a moment and he with the assistance of other bystanders carried her to her home about one block away where she passed away within a very few minutes.

Mrs. Blust was almost eight-five years old and was a pioneer of Avoca. She was a cheerful, lively lady for one of her years, going and coming among her friends when and where she chose. She had just returned from the funeral of Mrs. Bunnell, another pioneer, and was in her usual health when the accident occurred. Needless to say that when this news spread a hush fell upon the hitherto joyous crowds that filled the hall and the streets of town and at that, we all were grateful that she was not called upon to remain and suffer in her broken body.

A story of her life will be published next week.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm at the Blust Funeral Home.

From Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald