Obit: Wiernasz, John (1918 - 1961)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wiernasz, Lane, Wekkin, Linse

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 07/27/1961

Wiernasz, John (22 DEC 1918 - 24 JUL 1961)

John Wiernasz, 41, cattle dealer, trucker and farmer of Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), and Johnny D. Lane, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lane of Eidsvold, were fatally burned Monday night when the Wiernasz semi-truck hauling 65 calves collided with a convertible driven by two teenage girls who were also killed.

The accident occurred about four miles south of Duran on Highway 25 in Buffalo County. Mr. Wiernasz had purchased the calves at the Mattes Livestock Market near Thorp and was transporting them to Waterloo, Iowa.

The girls were identified as Bobbie Joe Wekkin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Wekkin, and Clarice Linse, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Linse, al of rural Durand. Both girls had attended the Durand High School. Mr. Wiernasz resided on a farm on 29 three miles west of Thorp.

The bodies of the two men were burned beyond recognition. The accident was said to hav occurred at a small bridge just south of the Pepin-Buffalo County line shortly before 9:50 p.m. The semi was traveling south and the convertible was headed toward Durand. Both girls were thrown from the car. When the vehicles collided the semi broke clear and flames enveloped the truck and cab. The men were pinned in the truck cab.

Both Buffalo and Pepin County officials were investigating the accident and the Durand fire department was called to put out the fire in the truck. All the calves were recovered.

Funeral services for John Wiernasz will be held at 10:00 o’clock this morning (Thursday, July 27th) at St. Hedwig’s Church east of Thorp, and burial will be made in the new cemetery. Rosary was at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Thorp Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Johnny Lane will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon, July 28th at the Plombon Funeral Home at Stanley, with burial in the Eidsvold Cemetery.