Basinger, Lester R. (1902-1939)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 [sic 1939] Feb 8 p. 1

Birth date: 1902

text of obituary:

LARGE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR VICTIM OF AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT AT MOUNTAIN LAKE

The Mountain Lake, Minn., Observer of February 2 gives the following details regarding the automobile accident which resulted in the death of Lester R. Basinger, hotel manager in that city:

Lester R. Basinger, 37, manager of the Basinger Hotel here, was instantly killed about 7:30 p.m. Saturday when his car evidently went out of control and rolled over several times on trunk highway 60 near Warren Lake, about nine miles west of Mountain Lake.

Mr. Basinger was on his way to Windom at the time and evidently was traveling at a high rate of speed. Shortly after rounding the curve east of Warren Lake, his car must have gone out of control, swerved into the guard rail on the right side of the road, then went across the highway, hit the bank and rolled over several times. The car is a complete wreck.

Alone in the car, Mr. Basinger was thrown clear. the car rolled on for a distance estimated at 120 feet. His skull was crushed and other injuries were sustained which caused instant death.

Funeral services were held from the Bethel church Wednesday afternoon. The Reverends J. J. Balzer and Stephen Dale spoke. Music for the funeral was sung by a quartet: J. J. Vogt, D. H. Fast, Wm. H. Regier and Arden E. Hesla. Pallbearers were J. E. Harder, W. J. Franz, L. M. Klein, K. L. Larson, H. P. Klein and Eldon Johnson of Windom. Interment was made in the Mountain Lake cemetery. Local business establishments were closed during the funeral services.