Edith Iola Clauson, 1915 - 1944

CLAUSON, LEESLEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2022 at 11:33:09

Sioux City Journal
20 April 1944

POLICE STUDY WOMAN'S DEATH

Mrs. Edith Clauson Dies as Result of Blood Clot on Brain

Police Wednesdays were investigating circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Edith Iola Clauson, 29, who died Wednesday morning, in a hospital after she had been in a coma Tuesday in her home, 1314 W. 20th street.

Detective Chief Thomas F. Farley said that he assigned two men to investigate when it was learned that she had been in a coma throughout the day and after appearances indicated that "both of her eyes had been blackened."

He said that Dr. A. C. Starry performed an autopsy late Wednesday and indications pointed toward what was described as a "blood clot on the brain."

Reported Feeling Well

Puzzling authorities, Farley said, was the fact that Monday she had told her family physician downtown that, feeling 'pretty well," she was preparing to return to work.

She went home, apparently, but did not get up Tuesday morning. The children, returning Tuesday noon from school, prepared their own lunch and when she did not appear Tuesday evening they called their grandmother. Mrs. Clauson was taken to a hospital.

Farley said that "investigations thus far do not reveal foul play, but my men still are working on the case."

Detective Tred Rhubottom and Henry Schumacher are investigating.

Born in Cherokee County

Mrs. Clauson was born February 5, 1915, in Grand Meadow township in Cherokee County.

Surviving are the widower, Private Theodore R., stationed at Camp Fannin, Tex., two sons, Theodore R., jr., and Thomas J., her father T. J. Leesley of Oto, la.; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Booth of Washta, la., Mrs. Bardwell Dickens of Pender, Neb., and Miss Pauline Leesley, with the marine corps auxiliary, and two brothers, T. J. Leesley and Dean Leesley, both of Oto, la.

The West-Heaton funeral home is directing arrangements.

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Sioux City Journal
21 April 1944

WOMAN'S DEATH CAUSE STATED

Mrs. Clauson Suffered Brain Hemorrhage, Autopsy Reveals

Death of Mrs. Edith Iola Clauson, 29, 1314 W. 20th street was attributed to a hemorrhage of the brain caused by an injury to the head, according to a preliminary report of an autopsy performed by Dr. A. C. Starry, it was said Thursday. A complete report on the microscopic examination of the tissues will not be available for several days, Dr. Starry stated Thursday night.

Mrs. Clauson, died in a hospital Wednesday after she had been in a coma at her home most of Tuesday, according to a police report. Detectives are continuing an investigation as to the injuries the woman is believed to have suffered, between late Monday and Tuesday night. Police said she suffered two blackened eyes, two bumps on the back of the head, an indenture on the forehead, and bruises about the knees.

Detectives Fred Rhubottom and Henry Schumacher submitted a report to Chief: Tom Farley Thursday: in which they speculated that the women either had fallen or bumped herself, possibly against a wall or a piece of furniture. They learned, they said, that she was subject to dizzy spells and rheumatism in one foot. In a visit to the home, they said they found "everything in order."

The spotlight of inquiry next turned to a Fourth street restaurant where Mrs. Clauson, her health permitting, was employed at times. There they found that she was an efficient employe, of a home loving disposition and liked by both the management and the patrons.

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Sioux City Journal
22 April 1944

POLICE FINISH DEATH PROBE

Consider Clauson Case Closed with Report by Detectives

With receipt of - detailed report by detectives regarding their findings in circumstances surrounding the death of Mrs. Edith Iola Clauson, 29, 1314 W. 20th street, Detective Chief Thomas F, Farley said Friday that he considered the case closed.

Death of Mrs. Clauson was attributed to a hemorrhage of the brain caused by an injury to the head, a preliminary report of an autopsy performed by Dr. A. C. Starry revealed. Mrs. Clausen died in a hospital Wednesday after she had been in a coma most of Tuesday in her home.

In a report to Farley which terminates the investigation, unless there are new developments, Detectives Fred Rhubottom and Henry Schumacher placed the time at which she left for the office of her physician at 11 o'clock Monday.

Son Says Mother Sick

The report quotes a son, Richard, 11, as saying that when he returned home from school Monday afternoon, he found his mother lying on a sofa. She told him she did not feel well.

Richard said he retired at 10:15 o'clock and that during the night he heard a noise in his mother's room "Like someone falling from bed."

On arising Tuesday morning, he asked his mother for money to purchase defense stamps and she advised that he help himself as "She had a headache and felt bad." When he returned at noon to get a lunch for his younger brother and himself his mother still was in bed, and he noticed a discoloration under the right eye. He tried to awaken her but was unsuccessful, then he went back to school. Returning home from school he found his mother still in bed, called his grandmother who in turn called the family physician.

Taken to Hospital

Following an examination, the physician directed that Mrs. Clauson be taken to a hospital where she died Wednesday morning.

The funeral will be held at 2 p. m. Monday in Whitfield Methodist church. Rev. Harry Burns will officiate, and interment will be Grand Meadow cemetery near Washta, Ia. The Westcott-Doughty-Chandler funeral home is directing arrangements.