Mr. J. S. Guengerich of Wellman and Mrs. S. C. Yoder of Kalona returned Sunday morning from Thurman, Colorado, where they had been attending the funeral of the Joe Yoder children, who were killed in the tornado mentioned in the News last week. The children killed were nephews and nieces of Mrs. Yoder and Mrs. Guengerich. The bereaved father is a brother of Mrs. Guengerich and of Mrs. Yoder’s husband, Rev. S. C. Yoder.
The fatal storm passed over the home of Henry Kuhns a week ago Sunday afternoon, taking a toll of ten lives and severely injuring several others. Soon after dinner, they saw five small funnel-shaped clouds moving over the prairie in different directions; one appeared to pass over the home of one of the old settlers in the community to the north of them.
The men of the families gathered at the Kuhns home, got into cars, and drove over to render assistance if it were needed. On approaching the place, they saw that the storm had missed the buildings and started for home, when they noticed another cloud traveling in the direction of the Kuhns home at a rate no faster than a man could walk. They hurried home to get the families out of the house and away from the storm; in the meantime, three of the twisters united and came upon the building with terrific force. Before the men in the cars could reach their families, the buildings were demolished and their families scattered. Eight were dead, two died later of their injuries, and seven were injured.
The dead are as follows:
- Mrs. Henry Kuhns, aged 41 years
- Stella Kuhns, aged 8 years
- Delmar Kuhns, aged 6 years
- Blanche Yoder, aged 11 years
- Vera Yoder, aged 9 years
- Robert Yoder, aged 7 years
- Ray Yoder, aged 1 year and 6 days
- Ferne Garrett, aged 11 years
- Zulda Garrett, aged 9 years
- Nellie Birkey, aged 14 years
The injured are:
- Mary Kuhns, aged 10 years
- Tillie Birkey, aged 19 years
- Mrs. Velma Huffman, sister of the Kuhns children
- Lucile Kuhns, aged 4 years
- Laura Kuhns, aged 1 month
- Mrs. Frederick Garrett
- Mrs. Joe Yoder
After striking the buildings, the storm passed eastward. The path of the storm at its widest was not more than 200 feet.
The dead were taken to the Rediger home, where a cozy two-room sod house was vacated, and the ten bodies were cared for at that place.
The injured were cared for at nearby farm homes. Most of the Kuhns family were able to attend the funeral. Mrs. Fred Garrett was taken to the hospital in Denver, being the most seriously injured. Mrs. Joe Yoder was cared for at the Nick Birkey home; she had a broken shoulder blade, besides many bruises, but is getting along nicely. Mrs. Yoder was able to return to her home Thursday.
The funeral services for all but the Garrett family were held at the Mennonite church near Thurman, Colorado, and eight of the victims were laid away in the cemetery nearby. The Garrett children were taken to Flagler, the nearest railroad station 35 miles away, where they were laid to rest.
A large concourse of people gathered to witness the last sad rites and extend their sympathy and respect to the bereaved ones. The services were conducted by Rev. Nick Birkey, Rev. Miller from Limon, Colorado, and Rev. Bryan from Flagler. Dr. Wheeler also spoke such words of consolation and comfort as human lips are able to express on such sad occasions.