Croatt. Nick Melvin 1936-1958

CROATT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 5/30/2016 at 10:04:14

Alton Democrat July 24, 1958

Croatt, Young Hospers Farmer Victim of Highway 33 Tragedy

Nick Melvin Croatt, 2 1 , youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Croatt, farming near Hospers, was killed Instantly early Monday morning when the car he was driving collided with a stock truck operated by William Kooiker, 3 9 , of Boyden. The accident happened at 3:50 a.m. 2 1/2 miles north of Seney on Highway 33 . One of the investigating officers reported that the Croatt car going north had passed another car and was unable to get back in the right lane in time to avoid the truck going south. The vehicles side-swiped and a corner of the truck tore the top from the car. Which landed in the west ditch. The truck driver received minor injuries. His truck turned over on the highway and traffic was tied up for a time. Twelve cattle in the truck were rounded up and found to be uninjured. The car was registered in the name of Nick's father, Louis Croat and the truck belonged to Kooiker Brothers.

He was born Nov. 2 5 , 1936 on the farm and attended Hospers school. Surviving are Nick's parents,Mr. and Mrs. Louis Croat, three brothers, Gerald at home, Arnold of Sibley, David of Canby, Minn., and four sister. Delores, Mrs. IrvJn Eicher, and Lois, Mrs. Tom Holuves, both of Minneapolis, Margaret, Mrs.Gerald Klein, Hospers ; Mary at home; and his maternal grandmother of Minneapolis. The community and friends deeply sympathize with the parents and family in the tragedy.

Young Nick was known as a hard-working, friendly young man, liked and respected by all who knew him. Msgr. Theobold was in charge of the funeral service at St. Anthony's Catholic church at 9 Wednesday morning. Nick was a nephew of Mrs. Joe Pohlen of Alton who was visiting her daughter at Bigelow,Minn. Monday and first heard the shocking news over the radio.