Noah Force 1873-1955

FORCE, BRIMMER, HILLIGAS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 9/14/2008 at 14:29:12

Coon Rapids (IA) Gazette; May 27, 1955

NOAH FORCE VICTIM OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT HERE FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Hit By Car While Crossing Street East of Royal Hotel

Noah Force, 82, a resident of this community for over half a century, was killed late Friday afternoon when struck by a car driven by Lanny Dvorak, a Coon Rapids high school senior who graduated later that evening.

The accident occurred at the corner of Main and Seventh near the Weddle hardware store. According to reports the aged man, a retired farmer, stepped off the curb between a bicycle rack and a parked car just after Dvorak rounded the corner after stopping for a stop sign. Although the car was going slowly, Dvorak says, he was unable to swerve enough to miss him.

Doctors who were called to the scene of the accident said Mr. Force died of a severe head injury. He lived only a few minutes after the accident.

Mr. Force made his home at the Royal hotel. It is thought he was on his way across the street to the hotel when the accident occurred.

Dr. John Morrison of Glidden, county coroner, said the accident appeared unavoidable and no inquest was held.

Mr. Force was born May 10, 1873. He was married but his wife died in 1900 and was buried in a cemetery near Brooklyn, Iowa. He never remarried.

He came to Coon Rapids early in the century, operated a farm at one time, a pool hall at another time, worked at various jobs. He was always considered a good citizen.

Funeral services in charge of the Rev. Eldon Jandebeur were held at the Coder-Anderson funeral home Monday morning.

Mr. Force had been a member of the local Odd Fellows lodge since 1902 and a group of Odd Fellows accompanied the body to Brooklyn, where he was buried by the side of his wife, and had charge of IOOF services at the grave. Included in the group were C.A. Nelson, Paul Nelson, Jerry Bull, Eli Rees, Irvin Lovell and Amos Howard.

Deceased is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Louetta Bremmer (Luetta Brimmer) of Brookyn and Mrs. Mary Hilligan (Hilligas) of Chelsea, and by a brother in California and by several nephews and nieces.