Marilyn Jean (Johnson) Fjetland (1935-1969)

BLECKER, FJETLAND, JOHNSON, KIRCHHOF, LOCKE, SANDVIG

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:03

Mrs. Galen Fjetland, 34, of Goldfield and former Humboldt resident, died in Mercy Hospital in Fort Dodge about noon Sunday as a result of an accident with a "free-wheeling" tractor and cab of a semi on the blacktop one mile south of Vincent 40 minutes earlier.

Mrs. Fjetland was fatally injured and her husband, Galen, 37, was seriously hurt when their northbound car struck a tractor and cab of a semi which was being towed by a southbound Crouse Company towing truck.

The tractor was in the north lane when the Fjetland car, driven by Mrs. Fjetland, struck it. Both the car and the tractor and cab then went into the east ditch.

Highway Patrolman Ronald LeMoine said that the rear spring shackle on the towed tractor broke loose, allowing the chain to slip off the spring. The towed tractor then became free-wheeling. The tractor and cab had been taken off a disabled semi-rig in the Vincent area and were brought to Fort Dodge for repair.

Driver of the Grouse Towing Service and Auto Repair wrecker was Dave Ewing. A Vincent rescue unit vehicle took Mr. and Mrs. Fjetland to Mercy Hospital and Mrs. Fjetland died soon after entering. Fjetland is in the intensive care unit, suffering from facial lacerations, concussion and other injuries.

Fjetland had undergone leg surgery at Bethesda General Hospital in Fort Dodge last week and he and his wife went to Fort Dodge Sunday in order that his physician could check on the leg. They were returning home when the accident occurred, about 11:15 a.m.

The Fjetland car did not upset but it was virtually demolished. The tractor being towed turned on its side in the ditch.

Galen Fjetland and his brother, Burton, 36, operate the Fjetland Oil Co. at Goldfield.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with Rev. H. W. Schiller officiating. Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery at Goldfield with the Wilson Funeral Home of Eagle Grove in charge of the arrangements.

Surviving are her husband, Galen; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Johnson of Humboldt; one brother, Robert Johnson of Waterloo; three sisters, Mrs. Craig (Bonita) Locke of Dakota City. Mrs. Morris (Orrine) Kirchhof of Belle Plaine, and Mrs. Robert (Janet) Blecker of Clarion.

Mrs. Fjetland was born near Thor, received her education at Humboldt and graduated with the class of 1953 from Humboldt High School. She married Galen Fjetland Dec. 27, 1956, at Humboldt and the couple made their home at Goldfield since their marriage.

She was a member of the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The Humboldt Republican
Humboldt, Iowa
Wednesday, December 3, 1969
Page 1, Columns 6, 7, 8
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Marilyn Jean Fjetland was born May 18, 1935 in Thor, lowa, Humboldt County to John Elmer and Martha Sandvig Johnson. She was baptized in Thor on June 30, 1935. She was confirmed on April 2. 1950 in the First Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Iowa. Following an automobile accident on November 30, 1969, she died at Mercy Hospital, Fort Dodge, after reaching the age of 34 years. 6 months, and 12 days.

Mrs. Fjetland graduated from Humboldt High School with the class of 1953. On December 27, 1956 she was united in marriage to Galen L. Fjetland at the First Lutheran Church in Humboldt. They have made their home in Goldfield since their marriage.

These who mourn her departure are her husband, Galen; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Johnson, Humboldt; one brother, Robert Johnson, Waterloo; three sisters, Bonita, Mrs. Craig Locke, Dakota City; Orrine, Mrs. Morris Kirchhof, Belle Plaine; Janet, Mrs. Robert Blecker, Clarion.

Funeral services were held Wednesday. December 3 at 2:00 in the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev. H. W. Schiller, pastor. Interment was in Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield, Iowa. – Goldfield Chronicle

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, December 4, 1969
Page 2, Column 3
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[Transcriber’s Note: Transcribed as published. Place of Birth: Norway Township, Humboldt, County, Iowa, was taken from her May 18, 1935, Standard Certificate of Birth. Filed: 5-24-1935]