Stoos, Dennis (3 year old) 1950-1953

STOOS, MILLER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Source: Alton Democrat (7-2-1958)

Born: 1950
Died: 1953

TRAGEDY TAKES LIFE OF LITTLE DENNIS STOOS AT YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA

Little Dennis Stoos, 3 year old and youngest son of Joe and Loretta (Miller) Stoos, former Altonites who have lived at Yankton, South Dakota since April was drowned in a motor boat upset Sunday afternoon while his parents watched on the shore of State Lake, 10 miles north of Yankton.

The little boy had begged for a ride in a small outboard motor boat and his mother reluctantly consented to his going for a short ride with his sister Bernadine 17 and the owner of the boat, Philip Christensen of Yankton, and W.E. Hollman, Mission Hill, South Dakota.

The boat was upset by the wash from a larger boat in its path. Bernadine was holding her small brother when they came to the surface, but a big wave or swell from the other boat washed the boy from her gasp. Owners of nearby boats rescued the other three but the little boy could not be found. Not until Monday afternoon was his body located.

Alton relatives and friends were greatly shocked by the tragedy. Mrs. Ted Steichen, Mrs. Fred Starkenburg of Alton and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Miller of Paullina drove to Yankton Monday morning and in the afternoon Mrs. Ben Goettsch and Mrs. Ray Jansen drove over to condole with the family.

Late Tuesday J.W. Allen arrived in Alton from Yankton with the child’s body and funeral services were held this Wednesday morning at St. Mary’s Church.

Surviving besides his parents and sister are two other sisters and three brothers, namely Mrs. Esther Wright, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Mrs. Joann Oldenkamp, San Luis Obispo, California, Joseph, Donald and Philip at home; and his grandfather, John Stoos of Portland, Oregon.

The community joins in heartfelt sympathy for the bereaved family.