Joseph Theodore Grabner 1884-1955

The Breda News, March 23, 1955

Joseph T. Grabner Injured Fatally In Auto Mishap

Funeral Services Held At St. Bernard's Church, Tuesday

Joseph Theodore Grabner, 71, of Breda was injured fatally when the car he was driving overturned in a deep ditch four miles west of Breda about 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

He was taken to St. Anthony hospital and died about three hours later.

The attending physician said that death was due to head and chest injuries.

Mr. Grabner was attempting to make a lift turn south off the Breda road when he apparently lost control of the car and crashed into a ditch, Sheriff Al Thorup said.

The fatality was the fifth on county highways this year, as compared to one at the same time a year ago. Ten persons, and all time high, lost their lives in highway mishaps in the county in 1954.

Funeral rites were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bernard's Church in Breda, with Fr. J. P. Hausmann celebrating the requiem mass. Fr. Thos. Nash and Fr. Dale Koester were in the sanctuary.

Burial was in St. Bernard's cemetery. Pallbearers were: Leo A. Heisterkamp, Arthur Schulte, F.B. Ulveling, Albert Boes, Clem Koster and John Geier, all Foresters.

The body was taken to the Julius Boes residence tow and one-half miles north of Breda Sunday night where it remained until time of the rites.

The rosary was recited at 7, 8 and 9 o'clock Monday night at the Boes home. Members of the Catholic Order of Foresters prayed the rosary at 8 o'clock.

Mr. Grabner was born Jan. 10, 1884, on a Wheatland township farm six miles southwest of Breda. He lived on this farm until 1941, when he retired and moved to Breda. His parents were Joseph N. and Margaret Stemper Grabner.

Mr. Grabner was married May 19, 1908 to Margaret Koster, who died in 1917. On May 27, 1919, he was married by Rev. J. A. Schulte at St. Bernard's Church in Breda to Ida Boes, who passes away Dec. 1, 1946.

Photo: Joseph and Mary Ida (Boes) Grabner, 1919

Surviving children are three of the first marriage; Mrs. Julius (Myrtle) Boes, Breda; Mrs. Edwin (Irene) Hobart, Lake City, and Joseph W. Grabner, Breda, and a daughter of the second marriage, Mrs. Mathias (Mary Ann) Stork, Breda.

He also leaves 22 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one sister, Mrs. William (Mathilda) Koster, Breda.

His parents and six sisters, Mary, Katherine, Anna, Margaret, Christine and Julia preceded him in death.

Mr. Grabner was a member of St. Bernard's Church, the Holy Name Society of the parish, and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He also served as Wheatland Township trustee and AAA chairman for several years.

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