Balzer, Isaac E. (d. 1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Nov 18 p. 3

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Accident Fatal To Minnesota Farmer

PINNED BETWEEN GRAIN DRYER AND TRAILER FOR SEVEN HOURS

Mountain Lake, Minn. — Funeral services for Isaac E. Balzer, well known farmer here who died from shock and exposure after being pinned in a grain pit for seven hours, were held at the Mennonite Brethren church Nov. 9.

He passed away at the University hospital, Minneapolis, Friday evening, Nov. 5, about 12 hours after he was discovered in the granary at his farm. He had gone out about midnight to put new corn in the dryer, and apparently the loaded trailer rolled back as he started the hoist, pinning him against the dryer, which was running.

Sleeping in the house nearby were his tenants, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Loewen, and his twin brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. David N. Balzer, on a visit from Shafter, Calif. However, the roar of the dryer muffled his cries for help. He was found by Mr. Loewen at about 7:00 a.m.

Mr. Balzer remained conscious throughout the ordeal and until about 45 minutes before his death. He suffered from burns on the lower back caused by the dryer, and also from exposure to cold.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. John G. Baerg, assisted by Rev. H. E. Wiens.