Glen Hermann Peterson (1913-1949)

PETERSON, KNEZEVICH, HERMANN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/20/2023 at 21:34:48

From The Slater News January 6, 1949 (page 1)

Glen Peterson Killed in Accident

The Slater and Sheldahl communities were shocked and saddened Sunday morning when it was learned that morning when his car overturned on the gravel road about 4 3/4 miles south of the Slater schools.

Glen had returned from Boone, where he visited his wife and infant son in the hospital, only a few hours before the accident. On his return to Slater he found the local restaurants closed and went to Des Moines to get something to eat. He was on his return trip to Slater when the fatal mishap occurred.

Glen was associated with his brother, Dean, in the buying of livestock here. He had driven a truck for years and had the reputation of being very careful--a very careful--driver. But an icy highway is treacherous and it is reported that at the accident site the road was a glare of ice. The car skidded off the highway, smashed into the fence on the east side of the road, and overturned.

The body was found early Sunday morning by Leonard Roach, who works as a farm hand for Luther Severtson.

Dr. Edwin Owen, Polk county coroner, said the accident happened from two to five hours before the body was discovered and estimated that Glen had been dead less than an hour when found. Dr. Owen and the cause of death was a brain concussion.

Glen was only 35 years of age. He was a cheerful, good-natured fellow and possessed the ability to make friends easily. In addition to his relatives, he will be missed by a large circle of friends who mourn his untimely passing.

Final Rites.

Military services were held yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at 1:30 from the home and 2 o'clock from the Methodist church in Slater with the Slater post of the American Legion in charge. A huge crowd turned out to pay their last respects--a crowd so large that the seating capacity of both the main floor and basement was overtaxed.

The Rev. Fred Martin, pastor of the church, officiated at the services. His theme was "God Speaks" and he chose Exodus 3:11 for the text, "And God Spoke Unto Moses... as a Man Speaketh Unto His Friend." His scripture reading was from Job 14, "The Frailty and Brevity of Life." Homer Lewis sand two solos, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Sunrise." He was accompanied by Mrs. Phil Rood.

The altar was banked with a great many beautiful bouquets of flowers in memory of the deceased. These were arranged by Mesdames Alma Schaudt, Earl Smith, Elmer Richardson and Lowell Soderstrum. There were also many gifts to missions in Glen's memory. Later in the evening most of the flowers were taken to the Veterans hospital in Des Moines.

Pallbearers were Ross Daggett, Harold Anderson, Earl Smith, Jonas Christianson, Howard Nelson and Clarence Small. Ushers were Merle Chader, Stanley Mosey and Roy Cole. Color bearers and color guard were Mervin Ihle, Homer Lewis, Maurice Stigler an Wilmer Twit. The firing squad was composed of Nilus Ihle, Marvin Twedt, Fred Blaskovich, King Schaudt, Billy Schaudt, Orel Sheldahl, Lester Nelson, Jr. and Rodney Sutter. Taps were sounded by Nettie Hammond and the echo by Darlene Klonglan.

Burial was in the Sheldahl cemetery.

Various organizations of which Mrs. Glen Peterson was a member served meals and lunch for the relatives and friends who were here to attend the services. On Tuesday evening the Methodist W. S. C. S. furnished supper, Wednesday noon the American Legion Auxiliary served dinner and following the services at the cemetery the Garden club served a lunch.

Obituary.

Glen H. Peterson was born Dec. 8, 1913 and passed away Jan. 2, 1949, at the age of 35 years and 23 days. His entire life was spent in the Sheldahl and Slater communities where he was born and grew to manhood. He attended the Sheldahl schools, graduating with the class of 1931.

Glen was united in marriage to Rebecca Knezevich of Boone on Dec. 24, 1940. To this union two children were born.

On March 21, 1944, he entered the service of our armed forces, and in August, 1944, left the United States for overseas duty in France and Germany with the armored infantry. He was injured in combat duty some time in December, 1944, and removed to a hospital until recovery. After leaving the hospital he served with a trucking corps for the duration of his stay in Europe. He returned to the United States and received his honorable discharge at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., Jan. 4, 1946.

Glen leaves to revere his memory: His wife, Rebecca; three children, Keith Duane of Seattle, Wash., Carol Ann and an infant son, Brian Glenn; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Peterson; one brother, Dean; his grandfather, Henry Peterson, and grandmother, Mrs. Verena Hermann, besides a host of other relatives and friends.