3 Members of Kennard Family Died In Crash

(picture of the car wreck)

Caption under the picture:

The family of five was pinned in this wreckage for eight hours early Thursday before being found when a passing motorist stopped to investigate a broken bridge railing.

Car Struck Bridge Rail Landed In Creek. Not Found For 8 Hours

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Larsen and son, Russell die in night-time crash

Mr. and Mrs. Norman D. Larsen of Kennard and their four-year-old son, Russell, died in an automobile accident early Thursday morning when their car missed a bridge on Highway 30 west of Kennard. The Larsens and their three young sons were returning from Arlington where they had been visiting Mrs. Larsen’s mother, Mrs. Jim Pettit.

(picture of bridge) Caption – This damaged guard rail was the tip-off that a car might be in the creek below.

The car traveling east, veered off the bridge railing and flew through the air for a distance of 75 feet before landing on the bank of a small creek. The car landed on its top, crushing it to the doors.

Time of the accident was established at about 3:00 a.m., the Larsens having left shortly before 2:30, according to available information. The car was not found until almost noon and at that time the engine was cold, indicating that the family had been pinned in the car for six to eight hours.

The accident had been discovered by a passing motorist who noted the place on the bridge which had apparently been struck.

Mr. Larsen was the owner and operator of the New Deal Bar in Kennard, having purchased it last fall from Leonard Brummer.

The Blair Rescue Squad was called and the work of extricating the victims began.

Randy, age nine, was rushed to the Blair hospital and given preliminary treatment and then rushed to Immanuel Hospital in Omaha. Richard 3, was treated for facial cuts at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair.

Mr. and Mrs. Larsen were dead when reached by the Rescue Squad. Russell died of his wounds before help could be given.

The three bodies were taken to the Bendorf Funeral Home in Blair.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Larsen were natives of the Kennard area. Mr. Larsen was the son of the late Earl Larsen and Mrs. Larsen was the daughter of Lambert Coufal, a Kennard resident now deceased. Mothers of both of the victims are among the survivors.

Norman D. Larsen was 26 years old, having been born at Blair on July 2nd, 1945. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ardith Larsen and by four brothers and a sister. The brothers are Eldon and Milton Larsen, of Omaha, Lynn Larsen of Elmcreek, Nebraska and Arlen Larsen of Kennard. The sister is Mrs. William Wrich (Joyce) of Kennard. ** and Richard, 3.

Mrs. Larsen was Sandra Mae Coufal. She was born September 9, 1945 at West Point, Nebraska. She is survived by her mother, Mrs. James Pettit. Her father, Lambert Coufal, is deceased.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Pat McGuire of Barstow, California and a brother, Mike Pettit of Arlington.

Four-year-old Russell was born at Blair November 13, 1965. He is survived by his two brothers and his maternal grandparents.

Funeral services are being held this (Monday) afternoon at the Kennard Methodist Church. The Rev. James Warn, Jr., pastor of the church, will conduct the service. Burial will be made in the Kennard Cemetery with Kennard Firemen acting as pallbearers.

**This part was missing. However the other surviving son’s name was Randy.

Note: Norman D. is buried in Blk 8 Lot 25 Sp 6; Sandra Mae (Coufal) is buried in Blk 8 Lot 25 Sp 5; Russell D. is buried in Blk 8 Lot 25 Sp 4 in the Kennard Cemetery.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given the news article date was used.