Obit: Orheim, Jeffery (1959? – 1973)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Orheim, Dubicki, Olson, Boie, Lulloff, Woods, Nagy, Tobola, Swienton, Zaborowski

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 15 Nov 1973

Orheim, Jeffery (1959? – 12 Nov 1973)

Jeffery Orheim, 14, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Orheim of Thorp, drowned Monday afternoon when he fell through the ice on the farm pond a mile north and one mile west of Thorp, while hunting with a friend, Steve Olson, also 14.

The two boys had been released from school because of Parent-Teacher Conferences. When they approached the pond on the farm, owned by Stanley Dubicki, Jeffery walked out on the ice, broke through and fell into water about 50 feet from shore.

Authorities report eh boys came upon the pond and began sliding off an embankment onto the ice. Orheim broke through and Olson tried to rescue him with a boat at the scene, but could not manage to break away ice to the hole where his friend went through.

The water depth at that point was about 8 feet, and becomes deeper going south to 13 feet. With the aid of SCS between 7 and 8 years go this pond was created. The youth in the city and area called it “Secret Lake” and originally (and perhaps still does) has an area of 5 ½ acres, going up into the William Tobola property, north.

Young Olson said he tried to rescue his companion, but was unable to reach him. He ran to the Richard Swienton home and found no one home, and headed for Thorp. He was picked up about 2:35 p.m. by Ed Zaborowski, as he was going home.

They met Chief of Police Richard Boie at the City Hall. With Olson, Chief Boie was on the way and gave the alarm from the squad car at 3:45 p.m. for the ambulance and rescue squad.

They recovered the body at 3:30 p.m. The drowning had occurred about 2 p.m. and was ruled accidental by Robert Lulloff, Clark County Coroner.

Also investigating at the scene were Tom Woods, Clark County Undersheriff, and County Officer Michael Nagy, in addition to Chief Boie.

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, at the Thorp Funeral Home Chapel, at 1:30 p.m.