Friesen, Erna Reimer (1918-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jul 8 p. 3

Birth date: 1918 Jul 25

Great sorrow came to the Corn, Okla. community when seven persons, all residents or former residents there, lost their lives in the flood waters which covered Highway 66 near Hydro the evening of June 22.

The car carrying the group of four adults and four children became stalled in the rapidly rising waters. They tried to wade out of the danger area, but found it necessary to take refuge in a parked car, and only the husband and father of the one family, Harvey Friesen, escaped when several sudden waves covered the car. Those who died were Harvey's wife and three children; his sister, Mrs. Edgar Rogolsky and son; and his brother, Wilson Friesen.

A mass funeral for the seven victims was held at the Mennonite Brethren church at Corn on Sunday afternoon, June 27, with an estimated 3,000 persons in attendance. The obituaries follow.