Kenneth LeRoy Volk 1929 - 1971

VOLK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/5/2021 at 23:58:21

The Mapleton Press
18 November 1971

Large Grain Auger Collapsed
Fatally Injuring Oto Man

Kenneth Volk, 41, of rural Oto, died Saturday, November 13, 1971, in a Sioux City hospital of chest injuries suffered when a 60- foot-long grain auger collapsed earlier Saturday on the Volk farm 1 1/2 miles east of Oto.

Hospitalized at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and listed in "fair’ condition Sunday night was David Richards, 27, of Anthon, a hired man on the Volk farm who was hurt in the accident.

Mr. Volk and Mr. Richards reportedly were moving the auger — a large eight-inch round cylinder — from one grain bin to another when the mishap occurred.

The auger apparently went out of control and carried both men clinging to it into the air, then collapsed and fell to the ground on top of the pair.

Members of the immediate family were first on the scene and a friend, Gerald Forsch, who farms about three miles away, arrived soon to help remove the wreckage.

Volk and Richards were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital where Volk died at 5:40 p.m. Saturday.

Dr. Thomas Coriden, Woodbury County medical examiner, reported death was caused by massive chest injuries.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oto. Rev. Thomas Mum officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.