Obit: Auberg, Gordon (1921 - 1953)

Contact: Stan

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Auberg, Whittemore, Paulsen

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 05/28/1953

Auberg, Gordon (3 APR 1921 - 24 MAY 1953)

Tragedy struck in the community again this week when Gordon Auberg, 32, of Withee (Clark Co., Wis.) was found dead in his car about 9 o’clock Sunday morning in Taylor County, and his companion, Robert Whittemore, 30, also of Withee, near death.

Whittemore was taken to the hospital at Medford by Taylor County authorities where he regained consciousness late Monday night.  Today his condition is very much improved.  He is able to feed himself and able to receive relatives.

Both had been overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ironically enough, the two were found by Gordon’s brother, Bernard Auberg, and William Veurink of Withee.  Messrs. Auberg and Veurink left early Sunday morning, going to a farm in Taylor County to deliver a team of horses.  While traveling eastward on County Trunk A. 1 1/2 miles east of the intersection of County Trunk DD they recognized Gordon’s car parked on the north side of the road and facing west.

They figured he had become tired while driving and pulled off to the side for a nap.  However, when they returned about an hour later, after delivering the team, they noticed the car still parked and decided to arouse the youths.

Bill Veurink got out of the truck, opened the rear door where the two were and poked Gordon who was on his hands and knees on the floor of the car.  Getting no response he called his brothers from the truck and it was then they realized what had happened.

The tow hurriedly returned to Withee, summoning the aid of Dr. J. W. Johnson and notifying traffic officer Wm. Nelson who in turn called the Taylor County authorities.

Authorities reasoned after investigating the car that Gordon had evidently opened a window in the back seat before falling in his weakened condition to the floor.  The window was open about six inches and it is reasoned that this fresh air supply undoubtedly saved Whittemore from the same fate as Gordon’s, as he was seated upright in the rear seat with the air coming in on him.

Authorities also found the ignition switch of the car on but the car was not running.  It evidently had choked itself out while idling.  When it was started I sputtered and smoked, indicating it had flooded itself.

Wednesday afternoon funeral services were held for Gordon Auberg from Griebenow’s Funeral Home.  Rev. W. Clayton Neilsen, pastor of the Nazareth Lutheran Church at Withee, officiated and burial was made at Riverside Cemetery.  Acting as pallbearers were Norbert Bruchert, Lester Hansen, Al Prock, Robert McAdam, George Sorenson and Ernest Cizik.  Those in charge of the floral offerings were Mae Bruchert, Virgie Prock, Geraldine McAdam, Betty Blunck, Joann Sorenson, Tyrni Veurink, Viola Poppe, Anne Long, Florence Blazer and Elsie McAdam.

Gordon was born April 3, 1921at White Lake, Wis., but had made his home since a youngster in Withee, where he received his schooling.  He had been associated with his brothers in the livestock trucking business and fro the past year had been employed by Plautz Brothers at their pit near the Black River, west of Withee.

He was unmarried and is survived by his mother, one sister, Mrs. Martin (Laura)  Paulsen, Withee; and three brothers, Bernard, Anton and Roy, all of Withee.  He was preceded in death by his father, one sister, Mildred, and a brother, Harold.

Gordon had a host of friends, principally because of his commendable trait of being kind and understanding.  The other day a friends of his said, as so many others have, "I never heard him say an unkind word about or against anyone."