Evelyn Francis 1919-1937

FRANCIS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/7/2025 at 16:24:32

Evelyn Francis
(November 21, 1919 – October 10, 1937)

Evelyn Francis of Palmer Meets Death in Auto Accident
Miss Evelyn Francis, 18, of Palmer, was killed and seven other persons escaped serious injury shortly after midnight Saturday as the result of a head-on automobile crash 8 miles north of Pocahontas. Miss Francis was one of five persons riding in one of the cars in the collision. The others were Jerry Blaha of Pocahontas, driver of the car, his brother, Emil of Pocahontas, Ruth Nieman of Palmer and Delores Barnhardt of Pocahontas. The other car was driven by Oscar Lundberg of Pomeroy. He was accompanied by George Stiler and Elard Johnson, also of Pomeroy. They were unhurt. Except for Miss Francis, the occupants of the Blaha machine escaped with cuts and bruises. Blaha and his companions had attended a dance at the Rolfe paving celebration and were on their way to another at a ballroom near Havelock. They were traveling north on State Highway No. 17 and Lundberg was going south. The cars crashed head-on, throwing Miss Francis from the car. She received a basal skull fracture and broken jaw. Death was instaneous.
Obituary
Evelyn Elizabeth, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Francis, was born at Palmer, Iowa, November 21, 1919. She was baptized in the Elfsborg Lutheran Church August 25, 1920. Evelyn and others attended the Methodist Church in Palmer. Mrs. Francis is a member of that church. Eleven years ago the family moved to the farm three miles northwest of Palmer. Evelyn attended the rural grade school and then pursued a part of the high school course in Palmer. At home she was a willing worker and on the farm, handy with horses. She did considerable work on the farm with a glad and ready spirit. One of her chief hobbies was animal pets that she had and she had a tender heart and affection for she could not easily bear to have them suffer, and so would lovingly care for them. No doubt her good word, could she speak to her father and mother, brothers and sisters and friends, would be, “Be of good cheer, don’t sorrow. Don’t harm the high spirit of your own life.” She leaves her father, mother, two brothers and two sister, Donald, Earl, Dorothy and Deloss and a host of friends. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon conducted by the Rev. M. D. Bush, the Methodist pastor, assisted by the Rev. D. M. Simpson of Pocahontas. It is stated that five hundred were in attendance. The following friends of Evelyn sang: Ilene Anderson, Mildred Gerbers, Lois Bothwell, Dorothy Johnson, Evelyn Isheters, Ivadell Hansen, Miss Gilmore with Mrs. Menoner as organist. They sang, “In the Sweet Bye and Bye,” “Asleep in Jesus,” and Miss Gilmore sang as a solo, “Nearer My God to Thee.” The following were pall bearers: Eddie Alig, Alvin Meyers, Dale Niemand, Jerry Blaha, Maurice Enoblanch and Earl Freeman. Interment was in the Palmer Cemetery. Pomeroy Herald, Pomeroy, Iowa, Thurs., Oct 14, 1937, p.1