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Margaret Bittner

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Margaret Bittner

Birth	:	1884
Death	:	10 Apr 1949
Burial	:	Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.4371986, -97.2596970
Description	:	Small South Dakota Town Is Planning Mass Funeral for Six Victims of Sunday Explosion Which Wrecks Catholic Church Marion, S. D., April 11.--(AP)--This small South Dakota town today planned a mass funeral for the six Holy week worshippers killed Sunday when a blast demolished St. Mary's Catholic church. Bishop William O. Brady of Sioux Falls, diocesan head, tentatively set Wednesday for the mass rites for the elderly victims who died as they knelt in prayer. Forty-seven other persons were injured, several critically. The brick church was shattered by a basement explosion a few moments before the 9 o'clock Palm Sunday mass was... Read More	Small South Dakota Town Is Planning Mass Funeral for Six Victims of Sunday Explosion Which Wrecks Catholic Church Marion, S. D., April 11.--(AP)--This small South Dakota town today planned a mass funeral for the six Holy week worshippers killed Sunday when a blast demolished St. Mary's Catholic church. Bishop William O. Brady of Sioux Falls, diocesan head, tentatively set Wednesday for the mass rites for the elderly victims who died as they knelt in prayer. Forty-seven other persons were injured, several critically. The brick church was shattered by a basement explosion a few moments before the 9 o'clock Palm Sunday mass was to begin. Only the entrance bell tower remained standing. A small fire that followed was put out quickly. Church officials attributed the blast to escaping bottled furnace fuel gas. Phil Wachendorf, a parishioner, said, "everything blew up" when he threw a furnace switch. Although buried in the wreckage and suffering from injuries and serious burns, Wachendorf was able to free himself and crawl out. Others were pinned under brick and timbers which had to be pried loose to free them. The church had a seating capacity of 250 but only about 75 worshippers were in their pews. Many others stood in small groups outside while waiting for the mass to begin. They escaped injury. The priest, Father Joseph Zimmerman, 73, was preparing to enter the palm-banked altar. When some of the parishioners complained the church was cold, Wachendorf volunteered to turn on the furnace. A moment later the church was in ruins. Attracted by the explosion, townsmen rushed to the church to help with the rescue work. Screams of victims helped guide the rescuers to the injured. Among first on the scene was Dr. A. P. Reding, whose mother Mrs. Peter Reding, was among those killed. Those killed, besides Mrs. Redding, were Mrs. and Mrs. John Marso, Mrs. George Bittner and Mrs. Philip Luke, all of Marion, and Charles McGinnis of near-by Monroe. All were in their 60s and 70s. The injured were taken to near-by Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Yankton hospitals. A special mercy train was sent from Mitchell railway to carry some of the injured to the Mitchell hospital. Private cars and ambulances from other cities were used to transport the others. Copied from The Independent Record, Helena, Montana dated Monday, April 11, 1949.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Margaret Bittner's memorial?
Margaret Bittner's memorial is located at: Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Turner County, USA.
When did Margaret Bittner death?
Margaret Bittner death on 10 Apr 1949 in
Where are the coordinates of the Margaret Bittner's memorial?
Latitude: 43.4371986
Longitude: -97.2596970

Family Members:

Spouse

George J. Bittner

(1886 - 1952)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4371986, -97.2596970

2. First Church of God Cemetery
Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4447000, -97.2727000

3. Greenwood Cemetery
Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4150009, -97.2493973

4. Buller-Ensz Cemetery
Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4186000, -97.2828500

5. West Vermillion Cemetery
Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4706001, -97.3189011

6. Dick Cemetery
Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4528008, -97.3319016

7. Tieszen Cemetery
Marion, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4219017, -97.3388977

8. Monroe Reformed Church Cemetery
McCook County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5004100, -97.2358170

9. Mennonite Cemetery
Dolton, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4472008, -97.3788986

10. Rosehill Cemetery
Parker, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4117012, -97.1399994

11. Saint Christina Cemetery
Parker, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3903008, -97.1502991

12. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery
Dolton, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4871320, -97.3732960

13. Spring Valley Baptist Cemetery
Spring Valley Township, McCook County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5325920, -97.2290730

14. Rose Hill Cemetery
McCook County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5119019, -97.3478012

15. Salem Zion Mennonite Cemetery
Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3507996, -97.3296967

16. Turkey Valley Cemetery
Parker, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3280600, -97.2505500

17. Riverside Cemetery
Canistota, McCook County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5360985, -97.3283005

18. Anna Koerner Burial Site
Hutchinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4290258, -97.4196065

19. Adrian Cemetery
Freeman, Hutchinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4730320, -97.4196550

20. Tschetter Cemetery
Freeman, Hutchinson County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3866997, -97.4197006

21. Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery
Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3141890, -97.3364110

22. Wellington Cemetery
Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4994011, -97.0922012

23. Bethany Cemetery
Hurley, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3003006, -97.1999969

24. Zion Cemetery
Hurley, Turner County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2994003, -97.2003021