KAHL, Howard 1925-1956

KAHL

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 6/5/2022 at 13:06:59

Two Grundy Men Die In Hunting Bus Accident

Walter Sealman and Howard Kahl on Duck Hunting Trip; Stopped to Spend the Night in Hunting Cabin Near Lansing, Iowa

Walter Sealman and Howard Kahl from Grundy Center were found dead in their hunting cabin on the Mississippi five miles north of Lansing, Iowa, Monday forenoon. They died in their sleep from carbon dioxide. A bottle gas stove furnished heat for the cabin. It is believed the stove absorbed the oxygen in the cabin after the two men had retired for the night.

The bodies of the two men were found in the cabin late Monday forenoon by Lester Kahl, father of Howard Kahl, and Don Stout, who had an interest in the cabin.

The two men left Grundy Center about five o'clock Saturday afternoon. They intended to spend the night in their cabin and to hunt ducks the next morning. They had also planned to find a new location for their cabin for their use during the deer hunting season, which opens Dec. 8th. They had expected to return home Sunday evening. When the men had not returned by early Monday morning, the families became alarmed and they asked the highway patrol to report if there had been any automobile accidents during the night. When no reports of a highway accident were received, Lester Kahl and Don Stout left for the hunting cabin and when they arrived they found both men in the bed in the cabin in their sleeping bags. The fire in the gas stove was out and the inside of the cabin was freezing cold.

The sheriff and the coroner of Allamakee county at Waukon were notified and they came out at once. They were satisfied death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning and they did not regard an inquest necessary. The coroner believed the men died some time Saturday night.

Ventilator May Have Been Clogged
There is a ventilator in the ceiling of the cabin. It is believed the ventilator may have been clogged by the snow to prevent any fresh air from coming into the cabin.

The cabin was a former school bus that had served the Conrad school until a few years ago, when the school disposed of it and it was purchased by a number of young Grundy men who converted it into a hunting cabin.

The Gilbert Funeral Service at Waukon brought both of the bodies to Grundy Center in an ambulance. The body of Howard Kahl was taken to the Ferree Funeral Chapel and the body of Walter Sealman was taken to the Engelkes Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Howard Kahl were held at the Ferree Funeral Chapel at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. The service was in charge of the Rev. E. E. Basye, pastor of the Grundy Methodist church. Burial was in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Services for Walter Sealman were held at 2:30 at the Engelkes funeral home and later at the First Presbyterian church with Rev. Gerber VanPutten officiating. Burial was in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Death Shock the Community
The community was shocked when it learned of the death of the two young men, both of whom were veterans of the last World War and who had spent the remainder of their lives in this community.

Howard Kahl
Howard Kahl, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Kahl of Grundy Center. He was born on a farm about five miles east of Dike on September 17, 1925. A few years later he moved with his parents to Grundy Center and he attended school and grew up here. He graduated from the Grundy Center high school with the class of 1942. He entered the United States Navy and served there from 1945 to 1947.

Eight years ago he entered the service of Kupka & Rouse Motor Company and continued in that position after Mr. Rouse took over the interest of his partner. He served as a mechanic for the motor firm and did his work well.

Commander of Local Post, American Legion
Howard Kahl was Commander of Post 349 of the American Legion, Grundy Center. He was a member of the Grundy Methodist church.

Surviving are his parents and one brother, Kenneth Kahl.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 29 November 1956, pg 1