To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the South Dakota Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in South Dakota, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 7/29/09 • Approved: 8/1/09 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R17550-G17550-S3
Mary Grace
Birth: Dec. 19, 1933
Death: Nov. 3, 1951
Veronica
Birth: Jan. 12, 1932
Death: Nov. 3, 1951
Car Goes Out of Control When It Strikes Icy Spot On Pavement
An automobile crash which took the lives of five local young people occurred Saturday night at 10:30 o'clock about six and a half miles south of Dell Rapids. Those fatally injured were James Schwebach, son of Michael Schwebach; Sylvester Schwebach, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schwebach; Mary Grace and Veronica Coomes, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Coomes, who live northwest of Dell Rapids. The four were killed instantly, and Miss Grace Schwebach, sister of James succumbed about 3:30 Sunday morning at a Sioux Falls hospital.
The young people were enroute to Sioux Falls, when the accident occurred, taking Miss Grace Schwebach to her work as a student nurse at the McKennan hospital.
Sheriff Barney Boos, who investigated the tragedy, with Deputy Sheriff Wilbur Stangeland and State Patrolman Wm. Zeitner quoted J.A. Gunderson of Baltic who witnessed the accident as saying, "he was driving south at about 55 miles per hour when the 1951 Packard driven by James Schwebach, passed him a the terrific rate of speed." Mr. Gunderson said the car went out of control at the crest of a small rise in the road, went into the ditch and hit a telephone pole which was broken off by the impact. The car tipped over and was completely demolished.
Owen Nelson of Chester, who has been employed here by the Schwebach Electrical and Heating firm for the past several months, was the only survivor of the accident. He was taken to a Sioux Falls hospital suffering from a brain concussion, a scalp laceration and multiple body abrasions and contusion. At last reports his condition was said to be satisfactory.
Double funeral services were held Wednesday morning at 9:30 at St Joseph's Catholic Church at Huntimer for Veronica Coomes, 19 and Mary Grace Coomes, 17.
Veronica and Mary Grace are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Coomes, Colton, S.D. Veronica was born on January 12, 1932 and Mary Grace on December 19, 1933. Both girls were graduates of the Chester high school where they were active in many school activities. Mary Grace graduated last spring and was staying at home. Veronica attended General Beadle State Teachers college and was teaching near Madison.
Surviving are their parents Mr. and Mrs. Felix Coomes, Colton; three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Leslie Pederson, Chester, Theresa, Sioux Falls, Helen, rank and Edward at home.
The requiem solemn high mass was sung by Fr. McEneaney, Huntimer, Fr. Miller, Colman and Fr. Coyne, Humboldt. Pallbearers were: Merlin Tibbee, Colton, Melvin George, Chester, Howard Wolles, Dell Rapids, Mike Gaspar, Chester; Charles Hundemer, Jr., Colton; Bernard Spielmann, Colman; Donald Olson, Colman; Charles Alverson, Chester; Walter George, Chester; Leon Welbig, Dell Rapids; Joe Cotter, Colton and Jerry Goodale, Chester. The two sisters were buried side by side at the St. Joseph's cemetery.
The Hermanson Funeral Home had charge of arrangements for both services.
This is the worst traffic tragedy Dell Rapids has ever experienced, and the sympathy of the entire community goes to the parents of these splendid young people.
Dell Rapids Tribune Nov. 8, 1951
Contributed on 7/29/09 by dellsfig68
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 17550