Obit: Willman, Flordenna (1935 - 1941)

Contact:  stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Willman, Shields, Kayne, Graf

----Source: Spencer Record, Spencer, Wis.) 10/02/1941

Willman, Flordenna (8 MAR 1935 - SEP 1941)

 Flordenna Willman Killed Last Friday

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Willman Struck by Car Driven by Dr. G. G. Shields of Abbotsford

An accident occurred last Friday afternoon on highway 13, two miles south of the village, that brought sorrow to every resident of Spencer.  Floradenna Willman, age 9, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Willman, on her way home from the Sawyer school at about 4:30 p.m., was struck by a car driven by Dr. G. G. Shields of Abbotsford and was instantly killed.  Flordenna, who resides with her parents on a farm west of the highway, was walking north with a companion on the west side of the roadway when she was struck by the right front of the car, approaching from the north.  She was thrown across the hood of the car and thrown to the highway about 135 feet from the point of impact, officers said.  The force of the collision was terrific, and tore the shoes and stockings from the girl, they reported.

Dr. Shields stopped his car and stayed with the little girl’s body until officers arrived.  He told Marathon and Wood county traffic officers that he was driving about 60 miles an hour when he broke over a hill, saw Flordenna and her sister about one tenth of a mile ahead and that he had slowed down when the girl started to go across the road in front of the car.  He said that after hitting the girl he applied his brakes lightly in an effort to prevent her from falling off the hood and possibly suffering more injuries.  The officer reported there were no skid marks on the pavement.  The front bumper was bent and the right fender and headlight of the car were smashed by the impact.  The sister reported to officers that Flordenna started east across the highway to "get and apple."

Flordenna Willman was born March 8, 1932, in the town of Brighton and had lived in this community all her life.  She is survived by her parents and the following brothers and sisters:  Miss Veva of Kekoosa, and Albeert, Donald, Rose Ella, and Marion, at home; three of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Kayne of Palm Springs, Fla., and Mrs. Gertrude Willman of Marshfield.

The body of Flordenna was brought to the Swarthout Funeral Home and on Sunday afternoon was taken to the Willman home, where a rosary service was held Sunday evening.  Funeral services were held Monday morning at 9:00 o’clock at Christ the King Catholic church, with the Rev. Joseph Graf in charge.  Burial was made in the Spencer cemetery.  Flordenna was a member of the First Communion class this year, and members of her class attended the services in a body wearing their white dresses and veils worn at the time of First Communion.