Obit: Ewert, Gene D. (1960 - 1979)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ewert, Stumpner, Stasek, Lulloff, Rakow

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/02/1979

Ewert, Gene D. (22 December 1960 – 28 July 1979)

An 18-year-old Owen man died in a fire last Saturday morning. Dead was Gene D. Ewert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milford Ewert, Rt. 1 Owen.

Ewert’s body was found in the water and debris-filled basement of the burned-out home by Owen Volunteer Firemen. According to Robert Lulloff, Clark County Coroner, Ewert died of smoke inhalation. There were no burn marks on his body.

Investigators surmised that Ewert was cooking in the kitchen when the blaze began, fled to the basement and was overcome there by the smoke and lack of oxygen.

The home, was formerly a mobile home owned by Anna Mae Lindgren, and was formerly a mobile home which had been rebuilt with a wood exterior surrounding the metal frame structure. Ewert resided at the home with his girlfriend and her mother, Mrs. Lindgren. The latter was on vacation at the time of the fire. The fire was discovered around 3:00 a.m. by neighbors.

Ewert was born on December 22, 1960, in Owen and attended Colby High School. He was employed by Blue Chip Elevator, Abbotsford, at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, of which he was a member. Burial was in the church cemetery with the Rev. Roland Rakow officiating. The Maurina Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Surviving him besides his parents is his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Paul (Dorothy) Stasek, Owen, and one sister, Mrs. Joe (Brenda) Stumpner, Curtiss. A twin brother, Dean, preceded him in death.