grave import

Obituary

Mrs. Mary C. Waldin, 78, 711 Angular street, was instantly killed Monday night when she was struck by a car at Seventh and Angular. She was a widow of the late Gus Waldin who operated a jewelry store in Burlington for many years. It was Burlington's first traffic fatality in 673 days. The car was driven by Mrs. H. E. Kerns, 44, 1307 Angular street. Coroner R. O. Giles said the case would be held open for 24 hours while additional witnesses are sought. Police asserted Mrs. Waldin's body had apparently been dragged about 40 feet from the point of impact. It was badly battered. Injuries included a skull fracture. The accident happened near the southeast corner of the intersection. Police reported that Mrs. Waldin had evidently been out in the intersection when she was struck. Mrs. Kerns told investigators she left her home about 6:30 p.m. She was driving east on Angular at a speed she estimated at 20 miles an hour. "The first thing i saw," she told officers, "was a woman's head even with my headlights. She looked as if she had been stooped over and was just straightening up. i tried to swing out and miss her but I couldn't make it fast enough. I hit her as I started to swing away." Police said the grillwork on the right side of the Kearns car struck Mrs. Waldin. Giles said Mrs. Ed Rissi, 801 Angular street, told him she had crossed Angular street from south to north just ahead of Mrs. Waldin. She said she had seen a car coming slowly down the hill. She was out in the middle of the crosswalk when she heard a thud. Turning, she walked over to the Kerns car and she and Mrs.Kerns bent over the body of Mrs. Waldin. Mrs. Rissi said the badly injured woman died as they reached her side. Police, who had the Kerns car checked at the site of the accident, said it was in good mechanical condition. Mrs. Waldin was born in Burlington March 27, 1869. She was the daughter of Daniel and Ellen Griffey Cox. She married Gus Waldin in February, 1897. A sister, Martha Cox, who lives with a daughter, Mrs. Ralph O'Keefe, 416 Maple street, oberved her 92nd birthday Monday. Of the Methodist faith, Mrs. Waldin is survived by Miss Cox and Mrs. O'keefe, and a stepson Thomas H. Waldin, Burlington. She was a member of the Women's Relief Corps, Hawkeye Natives auxiliary and the League of Honor. Services will be in Prugh's chapel Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Deane Chapman will officiate. Burial will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.