Schiefen, Gerald 1916-1930

SCHIEFEN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 9/24/2014 at 00:17:34

Source: Hawarden Independent (7-24-1930)

Born: June 30, 1916
Died: 1930

Gerald Schiefen, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Schiefen, residing near Akron, lost his life by drowning in the Big Sioux River, a short distance below the mouth of Dry Creek, about 6:30 last Saturday evening. A little more than an hour elapsed before the body was recovered and although experienced persons worked constantly for an hour or so to resuscitate him, their efforts proved in vain.

Gerald had been enjoying a vacation of a few days from his work on the farm and had been visiting at the home of his cousins, Mrs. Dick Vogelzang and family in Hawarden. He came to the Vogelzang home on Wednesday evening of last week and each day had been out with Mr. Vogelzang assisting him in operating his truck. They had been hauling cattle to the North Western stock yards in Hawarden Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vogelzang home shortly after 6 o’clock in the evening. The day had been hot and Mr. Vogelzang and Gerald decided to take a dip in the river. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Larson, aged about 14 and 9, accompanied them to the river and joined them in the water. Of the four, only the elder Larson boy was able to swim. They were in shallow water and Mr. Vogelzang was endeavoring to teach the younger Larson boy to swim. Gerald was playing in the water when he suddenly backed off into deep hole over his head. He called to Mr. Vogelzang for help and he immediately went to his assistance while the elder Larson boy took his younger brother to safety and then joined in the attempted rescue. Holding the elder Larson by one hand, Mr. Vogelzang succeeded in grasping Gerald with the other but he slipped away from him into still deeper water and sank from sight. The alarm was quickly given but a considerable time elapsed before help began to arrive, as the road is a considerable distance from the river at this point. Upon arrival a number of men immediately started diving for the body and a boat was secured with which to assist in the rescue work. A large crowd gradually gathered on the river bank. Probably more than an hour elapsed, however, when Ralph Wheeler located the body in about ten feet of water. Merle Pocklington and Walter Scott went to his assistance and the body was brought to the surface where it was lifted into the boat. By this time Dr. F.F. Null had reached the scene, and under his direction the work of attempted resuscitation was immediately begun. Gordon Meeter, S.G. Vickerstaff, Max Wilson and others all experienced in resuscitation work, took turns at working over the boy but in spite of all of their efforts there never appeared the slightest ray of hope. Mr. and Mrs. Schiefen and their other two children had left their home near Akron before word of the drowning reached them. They drove to Hawarden and were at once apprised of the catastrophe and reached the river bank before the body was covered.

Due to the fact that the Lutheran Church here is still undergoing repairs, funeral services were held in the Methodist Church in Hawarden Tuesday afternoon. Rev. George Steinkamp, pastor of the Lutheran Church, was in charge of the services and music was provided by the members of the Lutheran choir. Burial was in Grace Hill Cemetery. The funeral was very largely attended.

Gerald Schiefen was born in Hawarden June 30, 1916, so was just a little past 14 years of age. The first six years of his life was spent on a farm near Hawarden, but about eight years ago he moved with his parents near Akron where he has since resided. He was baptized in early infancy and was to have been a member of the next confirmation class of the Lutheran Church in Hawarden. He was large for his age and had creditably performed a man’s work on the farm. He was a boy whose character was beyond reproach, always obedient and dependable far beyond his years.

Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Leland, age 12, and a sister, Margaret, age 10. His tragic death came as a severe blow to his parents, brother and sister, and other relatives, to whom a host of friends extend sincerest sympathy.

His drowning was the first summer time fatality in the river here for the past five or six years.

Relatives from a distance who were here to attend the funeral included Mr. and Mrs. LO.C. Knaust and family of Montrose, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Witt and Miss Leona Witt of Pipestone, Minnesota; Mrs. Walter Kemis and son of Spencer, Iowa; and Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Witt and daughter of Sioux City.