Published in The Enterprise, 1970.

DOUBLE SHOOTING LEAVES THREE CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS

MR. AND MRS. DON LOGES BOTH KILLED

Tragedy struck in Arlington Monday evening, June 8th, as the parents of three children were killed. 33 year old Don Loges shot his 30 year old wife and then turned the gun on himself.

The tragedy was investigated by Town Marshal Otis Archer, Nebraska Highway Patrolman Leon Luxa and Deputy Sherrif Ben Reeh.

Patrolman Luxa reported that he was having a cup of coffee at Freddie’s Café on Highway 30 in Arlington, shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday. Walter Hank, from Arlington, came into the Café and told Patrolman Luxa that a lady had been shot in the house just east of the Café. Luxa arrived at the scene at just about the same time as Town Marshal Archer. The two officers entered the Loges home and found the two bodies on the floor in the kitchen.

The three Loges children, and a friend, were at home when the double slaying took place. The three children are 12 year old Rhonda, 10 year old Don Jr., and 8 year old Joey. 13 year old Roger Brummer of Woodbine, Iowa was also visiting at the Loges home.

The children told investigating officers that they heard someone pounding on the back door. Their mother had gone to see who it was. They heard another noise that sounded like a shot. Rhonda went to the kitchen and saw her father standing over Mrs. Loges. Rhonda said that her father told her, “Go get Otis. I shot Mommy.” Rhonda ran to a neighbor’s house and summoned Town Marshal Archer.

The other children, who had been in bed, got up and saw Mr. Loges shoot himself.

Doctor Dean Bloch was summoned and pronounced both Mr. and Mrs. Loges dead from 22 calibre rifle shots in the head.

Further investigation found that Mr. and Mrs. Loges had been seeking a divorce and were not living together. A hearing had recently been held on the divorce. Mr. Loges’ pickup was found in the alley a short distance away from the house. Apparently Mr. Loges had come to the back door that was locked. He pounded on the door and then shot Mrs. Loges through the screen door as she came to answer the knock. The door was then broken open and Mr. Loges entered the house.

Mr. Loges was a mechanic and truck driver for the Bell Creek line in Arlington. Mrs. Loges had been an employee at the Western Electric plant in Omaha.

Don G. Loges was born June 12, 1937 at Arlington to Mr. and Mrs. John Loges. His parents are surviving and living in Fremont. There is one surviving brother and two sisters. The brother, William, is of Edderville, Missouri. The sisters are Mrs. Anita Taner of Fremont and Janelle of Fremont.

Mrs. Don (Carolyn) Loges was born at Modale, Iowa, November 29, 1939. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Lean McDonough of Tekamah. There is one brother, Mervyn of Tekamah. There are seven surviving sisters, Mrs. Winifred Cramton, Wood Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Myrna Cline, Woodburn, Oregon; Mrs. Marion Bottcher, Plattsmouth; Mrs. Clara Scutt, Fremont; Mrs. Dorothy Beldin, South Sioux City; Mrs. Louise Hansen, Wayne; Mrs. Debra Rasmussen, Tekamah.

The double service will be at the Arlington Community Church on Thursday, June 11, at 2 p.m. Rev. Ed Whlaff of Fremont will officiate with Reckmeyer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Loges will be buried at the Arlington Cemetery. Mrs. Loges will be buried at the Tekamah Cemetery.