Kafer, Frederick 'Fred' P. 1885-1934

KAFER, ALLBRIGHT, MADDIN, WILEY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/4/2024 at 13:09:53

Littleport: The following account of the accident and death of Fred Kafer was taken from the 'Rapid City Journal':

Fred Kafer, Rapid City carpenter and father of seven motherless children, died as the result of an accident while going to work. Mr. Kafer had been accustomed to ride to his work at the Robbins and Stearns company with John C. Jorgeson, another carpenter.

Contrary to his usual practice he did not get into the rumble seat of Mr. Jorgenson's car, but chose to sit on the seat's closed top. While the car was rounding the corner of Eighth and St. James street Mr. Kafer evidently fell off, hitting his head on the pavement. The skull was fractured and he was taken to the Methodist hospital. Mr. Kafer died shortly before noon there.

The accident occurred about 7:30 in the morning. The car was not going more than 10 miles an hour at the time of the accident, police were told.

Fred Kafer was 49 years of age and lived at 1008 Omaha street. His children are: Kenneth, 18, at Oklahoma City, Okla.; Dorothy, 17; Lawrence, 15; Helen, 12; Ruth, 10; Rose, 8 and Paul, 2 1/2.

The Kafer family moved to Rapid City three years ago in April from Littleport, Iowa. Mr. Kafer, a carpenter by trade, found work with other painters and builders in Rapid City. Since last winter he had worked for Robbins and Stearns Lumber company.

Frederick Patrick Kafer was born October 15, 1885 at Elkport, Iowa. In December, 1915, he married Florence Allbright at Chadron, Nebraska, and to this union were born seven children. Mrs. Kafer passed away two years ago and is buried in Mount Calvary cemetery.

Kenneth returned from Oklahoma City, Okla., where he was in attendance at Carmelita seminary.

Lawrence is a 'Rapid City Journal' carrier boy, taking over the route Kenneth had until a year ago in August when he left for the seminary.

Low mass for Fred Kafer was conducted at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral at 9:30. Father Eugene O'Conner said the mass. Burial was in Mount Calvary cemetery beside Mr. Kafer's wife.

Mr. Kafer is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Thomas Maddin, Littleport, Ia., and Mrs. Martin Wiley, Edgewood, Ia., and three brothers, Paul and Joe of Littleport and Frank of Charles City, Iowa. Mrs. Maddin and son, Clarence, Paul Kafer and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kafer came to Rapid City for the funeral. R.W. Allbright, Rapid City, is the father-in-law of the late Mr. Kafer.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday, October 18, 1934; pg 3