Van Otterloo, Darlene (Mrs. Harold) 1937-1967

VANOTTERLOO, SMIT, VIS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Source: Rock Valley Bee (11-9-1967)

Born: January 5, 1937
Died: November 1, 1967

MRS. VAN OTTERLOO KILLED IN CAR-TRAIN ACCIDENT

A wife and mother of three children from Rock Valley become Lyon County's 5th traffic fatality of the in a train-car crash at Alvord Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. Harold (Darlene) Van Otterloo, 30, died enroute to Hegg Memorial Hospital following the mishap which occurred about 4 p.m.

Authorities report that Mrs. Van Otterloo was alone at the time and was east-bound on the county black top on her way home to Rock Valley. As she was approaching the railroad crossing at the north edge of Alvord, she apparently saw the train at the last minute but was unable to stop in time.

According to investigating officials, the 1965 Chevrolet driven by Mrs. Van Otterloo, apparently skidded onto the tracks before being struck on the left side by the southbound Great Northern freight train. The car was slammed over a sharp embankment southeast of the crossing and landed on its top at the bottom. The car was totally wrecked with the left rear wheel, drive shaft, and other parts scattered over the area.

Mrs. Van Otterloo was thrown clear but suffered extensive injuries and died before reaching the hospital.

There are no signal lights at the crossing and a Central Lyon School teacher, Mary Moser, was involved in similar accident at the same location this past summer. However, she escaped with no injuries. Both the road and track are flat in the area of the crossing, and visibility is open.

Funeral services for Mrs. Van Otterloo were held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the First Reformed Church with the Reverend John Engbers officiating. John Vande Kerk sang a solo and a youth-group, The Calvinettes, sang a selection. Organist was Mrs. Tony Ver Steeg.

Mrs. Van Otterloo was a member of the Calvin Reformed Church.

Burial was in Valley View Cemetery under the direction of the Porter Funeral Home. Bearers were John Vonk, Henry H. Van Maanen, Rolland Mulder, Ed R. Kooima, Henry De Jong and James Bogaard.

The former Darlene Smit was born in Hull January 5, 1937, a daughter of August and Gertrude (Vis) Smit.

On June 21, 1955 she married Harold Van Otterloo at Hull. The couple operated a grocery store with Henry Vander Bok, known as Van's Foodland.

Survivors are her husband, Harold; three sons, Michael 11, Kevin 9, and David 5; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Sinit of Boyden; four brothers, Arnold and Howatd both of Hull, Dalmar of Ireton, Allen of Boyden, three sisters, Mrs. Marvin Wissink and Mrs. Bernard Krommendyk both of Hull and Mrs. James Kersbergen of Sioux Falls.