REINHARDT WEGNER
(1921 - 1960)

Farmer Killed While Logging Near Rosecrans
"Reinie" Wegner Victim When Tree Snaps, Hits Him

Reinhardt "Reinie" Wegner, 38-year-old farmer of Rt. 1, Mishicot, was killed instantly at about 3:30 p.m. Monday in a freak accident while operating a bulldozer in a logging operation in the Rosecrans Swamp in the town of Cooperstown. He was clearing a road for logging operations well into the swamp and was driving a huge caterpillar with a bulldozer blade. Together with Lester Kronforst, he had purchased 100 acres in the swamp for logging purposes and they were taking advantage of the frozen terrain to move out the logs. As the bulldozer moved along it struck a cedar tree estimated as between 4 and 6 inches in diameter. The tree bent to the ground but did not crack off or uproot. As the blade passed, the tree snapped upright smashing Wegner aside the head and knocking him clear of the machine.

Died Instantly
The machine continued ahead and Kronforst ran ahead to shut off the engine. Herbert Rabenhorst also witnessed the accident and the two men put Wegner on a stone boat in an old shed near the operation while they went for help. It took more than an hour for them to reach a telephone. Dr. Joseph May of Maribel responded as did Coroner Theodore Teitgen and Sheriff Alvin Gill. The coroner said Wegner died instantly of a shattered skull. The mishap occurred on a lane behind the Edward Luebke farm.

Wegner was born Nov. 12, 1921, son of Herman and Esther Moschel Wegner of Rt. 1, Maribel. He married the former Blondine Loppnow at Wayside May 29, 1946 and they settled on a farm in the town of Cooperstown. After operating the farm for five years they moved to their present location where they have farmed for the past nine years.

Funeral Thursday
Wegner was a World War II veteran, serving 33 months in the Army. He was with the spearhead force at Okinawa and served in Korea, receiving his discharge with the rank of Sergeant in January, 1946. He was a member of the Maribel Sportmen's Club and the Larrabee Sportsmen's Club.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Barbara, 12, Beverly, 10, Marliss, 5 months; a son, Roland, 8; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Wegner, of Rt. 1, Maribel; brother, Herman Jr., of Rt. 1, Maribel; and a sister, Mrs. Orville Ihlenfeld, of Luxemberg.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church, Maribel. The Rev. R. G. Koch will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the Knutson Funeral Home, Denmark, after 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Manitowoc Herald Times, Wis., Tuesday, February 2, 1960 P. 1

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Reinhardt Wegner
Military • United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name Reinhardt Wegner
Marital Status Single, without dependents
Event Type Military Service
Event Date 24 Oct 1942
Event Place Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Term of Enlistment Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Race White
Citizenship Status citizen
Birth Year 1921
Birthplace WISCONSIN
Education Level Grammar school
Civilian Occupation General farmers
Military Rank Private
Army Branch Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Army Component Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source Reference Civil Life
Serial Number 36278099
"United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946"

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Reinhardt Wegner
Death • United States Social Security Death Index
Name Reinhardt Wegner
State Wisconsin
Age 39
Birth Date 12 Nov 1921
Death Date Feb 1960
"United States Social Security Death Index"

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