Gladys JACOBSON

Birth: Apr. 1, 1917
Dell Rapids
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA
Death: Oct. 22, 1921
Dell Rapids
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA


Victims Of Sad Accident Buried

Many Hundreds Attend Funeral of Mrs. Fred Johnson, Esther Kramer and Gladys Jacobson

Baby girls of two different homes and the mother of one of them – all three victims of the terrible accident last Thursday as a result of the kerosene explosion at the Fred Johnson home – were buried this week in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. A double funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Lutheran church for Mrs. Johnson and her little daughter, Esther Kramer and on Monday afternoon little Gladys Jacobson was buried.

Several hundred sympathizing friends were at the Sunday afternoon service, many not being able to get into the church. Rev. B.J. Rothnen had been called away to another duty and in his absence the funeral was conducted by Rev. P.C. Larsen of the First Baptist church, who spoke very feelingly and very comfortingly to the surviving relatives and friends from the text, "Teach us to number our days.: Psalms 90:12. A short service was held previous to the church meeting, at the home of Mrs. Johnson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lieum. Appropriate musical selections were given by the church choir. Interment was made in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.

Mrs. Fred Johnson whose maiden name was Clara Lieum was born March 1, 1893 and died Oct. 21, 1921, aged 28 years, 7 months and 20 days. The deceased was born and died in this community. She was married in 1917 to Matt Kramer. Three daughters were born in this union; Gladys, Esther and Mattie. Gladys passed away three years ago. Esther also left his life the day before her mother passed away, in the sad accident that took the lives of both.

Mr. Kramer died Jan. 18, 1920.

The deceased was united in marriage to Fred Johnson on June 27, 1921. Their married life was happy but very brief. She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, and the little daughter 1 ½ years old, beside her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lieum, three sisters, Mrs. Wm Fulmer, Mrs. Martin Olson and Miss Hilda; three brothers, Edward, Oscar and Oli, all living in this community.

Life was short. The message came suddenly. May it teach us all to be ready.

Esther Luella Kramer, the 2 ½ year old daughter of Mrs. Fred Johnson, was born April 20, 1919 and died Oct. 20, 1921, in an accident that took both her and her mother away from this life. Jesus says "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

The funeral services for little Gladys Marie Jacobson, the 4 year old daughter of Mrs. James Jeffers, was held on Monday afternoon at the home, conducted by the Episcopalian rector, Rev. Watson, assisted by Rev. P.C. Larsen, a very large number of neighbors and friends being present. Rev. Mr. Watson preached an effecting and sympathetic sermon. Interment was in the Dell rapids Cemetery.

Gladys the only daughter of Mrs. Jeffers, was born at Dell Rapids on April 1, 1917, and died October 22, 1921, aged 4 years, 7 months and 22 days. Gladys was a bright, cheerful, loving child, very dear to her family and she will be greatly missed by her friends. Her father preceded her a year, but she leaves to mourn her, her mother, stepfather, and four brothers, Alex, Roy, Alfred and George, besides a grandfather and tow grandmothers.

Little Esther Kramer was the first to succumb to the accident. The little body was burned almost to a crisp and it was only a question of time until she must die. She passed way last Thursday afternoon, a few hours after the accident.

The mother, Mrs. Fed Johnson, died early Friday morning. Her body was entirely burned except where the clothing at her waist was heaviest, and her feet, protected by her shoes. Her death, also, was only a question of time.

At first it was thought that Gladys Jacobson would survive, as the burns on her body were not of so great an extent as those of the other victims but evidently she had breathed in the scorching flames, as she grew worse and died on Saturday.

Little Mattie Kramer, the year and a half old daughter of Mrs. Johnson is nearly recovered and will not have even a recollection of the awful accident where her mother and sister lost their lives.

Contributed on 4/20/09 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 6737

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