Wolfswinkel, Joan Mildred, 1928-1930

WOLFSWINKEL, VANDERSCHAAF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Sioux County Index (Hull), October 17, 1930:

LITTLE GIRL LOSES LIFE IN TANK, FRIDAY
Joan Mildred, Two Years, The Only Child of Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfswinkel Jr.

The community was shocked last Friday morning when the Doctor was summoned to the John Wolfswinkel, Jr. home to administer to the little daughter, Joan Mildred, who had wandered into the farm yard and fallen into a stock tank filled with water.

The little one, a little less than two years old, was gone only a few minutes and the search began at once. The mother found the babe and gave the alarm. All that could be done was done but to no avail, the little life was gone. Joan Mildred was the only child and was born in Sioux Center.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the First Reformed church which was filled to its fullest capacity with sorrowing friends and relatives of the bereaved parents. Sincere sympathy is extended by all.

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From the Sioux Center News, October 16, 1930:

TRAGIC DEATH OF BABY NEAR HULL
Two Year Old Baby Drowns in Milk Cooler Friday Morning

John Wolfswinkel, milkman at Hull, Iowa, agreed to go on the cream route for his brother Bernie last Friday. His duties for the day were doubled, and in a great hurry to start he forgot to cover the milk cooler—a low tank filled with water. The two year old baby girl playing alone in the yard later that day fell into this tank and drowned.

Mr. Wolfswinkel was a milk man to support his family. On Friday he contracted double work—he frequently hustled extra work—with a dream of advantages for his daughter after a few years. For two years the parents of this child have been developing a home, a dream of future which in its every detail included their daughter. Every habit, every hope, every passion included their baby. And the baby is dead.

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Also from the Sioux Center News, October 16, 1930, Hull news:

A tragic accident [occurred] at the home of John J. Wolfswinkel last Friday morning when their only child Joan Mildred, age one year and ten months, was drowned in the watering tank. It is thought the little one had dropped her ring into the water and reaching for it, over-balanced and fell into the water. The mother was busy about her morning work, she missed the little gorl and in search for her, found her in the tank. Funeral services were held Monday from the First Reformed Church, Rev. Doustra and Rev. Lubbers officiating.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, October 17, 1930:

HULL CHILD DROWNED IN WATER TANK FRIDAY

The twenty months old daughter, Joan, of Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfswinkle[sic] at Hull, was drowned last Friday morning in a water tank. She followed her father, who lives on a farm about a half mile west of Hull, in the barn. The father went into the barn to harness a team. He came out and drove the team to Hull, thinking the little girl had gone back to the house. After he had gone Mrs. Wolfswinkle missed the child and went out to look for her, and found her in the tank. The little girl was their only child.

The little girl’s mother is a niece of H. J. Kosters, of Rock Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Kosters attended the funeral which was held in the First Reformed church at Hull Tuesday afternoon.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Wolfswinkel, Joan Mildred, b. 1928, d. 1930, dau of JJ & C, Hope Cem Hull IA.

Her death certificate adds her birth date, December 4, 1928, in Hull, and her mother, Geraldine Van der Schaaf, both parents born in Iowa; died at 7:30 a.m. October 10, 1930, drowned in water tank.