ALMA M. KAZDA (d. 1992)

TRAIN CRASHES INTO AUTO, ONE DEATH MAY RESULT
Mrs. Joseph Kazda Probably Fatally Injured in Accident at
Plank Road Crossing of North Western
One death may be the toll of an accident at the Green Bay Northwestern
crossing on the Plank Road west of the fair grounds at 6 o'clock last
night when the Green Bay train, due here at 5:45 struck a Ford touring
car, hurled it thirty feet to the side of the track. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Kazda, 2002 Hamilton street, this city, occupants of the automobile,
were seriously injured and it is feared that Mrs. Kazda may not survive.
Both are at the hospital. Mrs. Kazda, who was the most seriously injured,
was soon to have become a mother and shortly after arrival at the hospital
her babe was born dead. Mrs. Kazda suffered the fracture of bones of the
right arm at several places, was bruised about the body and sustained
internal injuries of serious nature which cause apprehension and make her
recovery doubtful. Injuries of Mr. Kazda include a deep gash cut over the
eye from broken glass of the windshield against which he was thrown and
was severely bruised about the body, but escaped broken bones. Mr. Kazda's
condition is not serious and he will be able to leave the hospital in a
day or two. The accident happened shortly before 6 o'clock while Mr. and
Mrs. Kazda were enroute to Francis Creek, former home of Mr. Kazda. The
crossing is not considered a dangerous one, affording a clear view of the
tracks in both directions. It is thought that Mr. and Mrs. Kazda were
interested in their conversation and that Kazda was paying little heed
to the crossing and did not see the train until too late to stop his car.
The automobile was directly across the tracks when struck by the train
which was in charge of Conductor G.M. Williams and Engineer Gary. The
engine struck the automobile, crushed the rear of the machine and lifted
it from the tracks and threw it a distance of thirty to fifty feet. Mr.
and Mrs. Kazda was thrown from the automobile and was found unconscious
at the side of the track when the train was stopped and backed to the
point where the wrecked machine was thrown. Dr. Max Staehle, of this city,
who was a passenger on the train, returning from a trip to Wausau, was
summoned and gave first aid to the injured man and woman who were taken
aboard the train and brought to the Northwestern station and later removed
to the hospital in the ambulance. Engineer Gary, who was one the opposite
side of the engine cab from that on which the automobile was approaching
the crossing, could not see the Kazda machine and the first knowledge he
had of the automobile was when the engine crashed into the machine. The
train at this point runs at a good rate of speed and when it struck the
automobile the crash was terrific. The rear end of the automobile was
completely smashed and every spoke of the two rear wheels was knocked out
only the rims being left. The tires of the four wheels were not damaged but
the body of the machine was completely wrecked. Mr. and Mrs. Kazda have been
residents of the city for some months, the husband being employed as a
blacksmith at the yards of the Shipbuilding Company. Mrs. Kazda is a former
Bonduel girl and both husband and wife are about 25 years of age and married
only a year. Kazda's home was formerly at Francis Creek. Mr. Kazda is an
experienced driver having driven an automobile for five years. Mr. Kazda
was unable to make a statement as to the accident today. Reports from the
hospital this afternoon said that the condition of Mrs. Kazda is critical,
but there is some hope of recovery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Wednesday, September 24, 1919 Page 1
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Mrs. Alma M. Kazda, 91, formerly of 1134 North 17th Street, Manitowoc, died Friday
morning, March 27, 1992, at St. Mary's Home, Manitowoc.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Manitowoc.
Rev. Richard C. Miller will officiate with burial at Evergreen Cemetery,
Manitowoc.
The former Alma Hopfengartner was born August 16, 1900, in Bonduel, Wis., daughter
of the late George and Anna Moede Hopfengartner. She attended schools in Bonduel.
On April 23, 1919, she married Joseph M. Kazda at Bonduel. He preceded her in death
November 18, 1982. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ladies Aide, and
was actively involved in all church activities.
Survivors include a son and two daughters-in-law, Clarence and Edith Kazda of
Manitowoc; Peggy Kazda Wells of Pierce, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Craig Kazda of
Manitowoc, Joseph Michael Kazda of Red Granite, Wis., Pattie Warner of Sturgeon
Bay, Wis., Barbara Dixson of San Jose, Calif.; a great grandchild, Jason Warner;
two sisters, Anna Springstube of Manitowoc, Esther Hopfengartner of Manitowoc;
nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends survive. She was preceded in death
by a son, Joseph Kazda Jr. and three sisters, Edna Thompson, Laura Panosh, and Emma
Pluennecke.
Friends may call at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9 a.m. Monday until the time of services.
There will be no Sunday evening visitation at Reinbold Pfeffer Urbanek and Schlei
Funeral Home. Memorials would be appreciated to Redeemer Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Herald Times Reporter, March 27, 1992 P. B10
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[widow of Joseph M. Kazda]
(From 1920 Manitowoc census ward 7: Joseph Kazda age 22 occ. blacksmith;
wife Alma age 19)