Atkinson Graphic
June 1, 1945Vehicle Accident Cause
Of Ivan Seger’s Death
Technician Fourth Grade Ivan W. Seger died April 29 in Plochingen, Germany, as a result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. This information was given in the official casualty report sent to Ivan’s wife, the former Leona Jenkinson, who lives at 7320 North Deleware, Portland 3, Ore.
T-4 Seger was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Seger of Atkinson. He served as a motor technician in an ordinance company of the Seventh Army over---, and his job was to keep vehicle engines in good running order.
June 22, 1945Explains Accident
Fatal to Ivan W. Seger
The following letter from Cpl. Elmer – Betts tells Mrs. Ivan W. Seger how her husband, Sgt. Seger was instantly killed in Germany April 29 when he was thrown from a truck which was driven by Cpl Betts:
Ulm, Germany,
May 30, 1945
Dear Mrs. Seger;
I am at a loss for words in this letter for I know how much grief and misery you have been through from the death of your husband. I would have written to you sooner, but Army regulations would not permit.
Ivan was a very good friend of mine an d I felt I should write and let you know how it happened, not only because he was a good friend, but because I was with him at the time. You see, we were evacuating wrecked trucks to a collection point. On our way back Ivan stated driving. Because he had been driving most of the day and night before, I took the wheel to relieve him. We were going around a curve, with a truck coming toward us. This truck was crowding our side of the road. As I swung our truck toward our side of the road the front wheel hit some object, causing the truck to jump the curb and glance off the side of a house very close to the road. I had all I could do to handle the truck. I never saw Ivan leave the cab, but somehow he was tossed out, landing on a paved courtyard. He was killed instantly by a fractured back.
Believe me, I know how this grieves you. I know my grief is not nearly as deep or as dear as yours, but he was a very good friend to me. I thought you would like to know how it happened. I felt it was not only my duty to you, but to Ivan, that I should write to you. Words seem so inadequate in a situation like this. You have my very deepest sympathy.
Respectfully yours,
Elmer Betts.
Mrs. Ivan W. Seger and her daughter, Shirley Kay, arrived in Grand Island yesterday from her home in Portland, Ore., and were met by Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Seger, Ivan’s parents. They will visit for a time in the Seger home south of Atkinson.
