Surnames: Kowalski, Kot, Novak, Pawlak, Gronek

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.) 06/19/1941

Kowalski, Walter (19 AUG 1891 - 15 JUN 1941)

Walter Kowalski, 50, Sparta, workman at St. Mary’s hospital at Sparta, died early Sunday of injuries received in an automobile accident which occurred at the intersection of Jefferson avenue and South L. street Friday morning in Sparta.

Kowalski’s wife and his small daughter, Lucy, who were riding with him, were treated for injuries at St. Mary’s hospital, but had recovered sufficiently to be released on Sunday.

Kowalski, his wife and his daughter, were returning from strawberry picking at about 11 o’clock Friday morning. Driving north on L street toward his West Main street home, Kowalski’s car collided with a convertible coupe driven by Kermit Gilbertson, a Sparta youth.

Hit At Intersection

Gilbertson had been driving east on Jefferson avenue. The two vehicles struck at a point a few feet west of the manhole in the center of the intersection, according to Carl E. Lehman, Sparta chief of police.

Skid marks, said by police to belong to the Gilbertson car, were visible for three feet west of the point of the collision, police said. Skid marks from the Kowalski car did not follow a definite pattern, Lehman declared.

At the impact, both cars were pushed in a northeasterly direction. The Gilbertson car turned completely around, facing in about the direction from which it had come.

Wedged Against Tree

Kowalski’s vehicle rested over the rear of Gilbertson’s car and was wedged between it and a tree on the West Primary boulevard.

Lehman said Walter Kowalski was in a dazed condition when he was helped from the car and was unable to talk. Mrs. Kowalski and her daughter were riding in the back seat but were suffering from shock, Lehman indicated.

Suffers Cuts

Young Gilbertson, suffered cuts about the shoulders and head and was treated at St. Mary’s hospital. However, he was released from the institution after a few hours.

Leo J. Goodman, district attorney, said Monday, that as far as he knew there would be no further investigation into the matter. However, police took pictures at the scene of the mishap Friday.

Kowalski was born in Poland on August 19, 1891. In 1913 he emigrated from Germany to the United States and settled in Milwaukee where, as in Sparta, he worked at a hospital.

Weds Victoria Kot

Subsequently he went to Owen and Chippewa Falls where he worked in hospitals, before going to St. Mary’s hospital in 1918. On September 8, 1926, he was married to Victoria Kot. They had three children.

Mr. Kowalski was a cousin of Mrs. Stanley Gronek, who resides on route one, Withee. He was well known in Owen and Withee and has many relatives residing in this community.

Funeral services were conducted from the Plummer funeral home Wednesday, June 11, at 9:00 a.m. and later from St. Patrick’s church. Among those from this community that attended the funeral services were Martin Novak and daughter, Stacey, Steve Pawlak and Mrs. Stanley Gronek.