Photograph - Boats drag Lake Minnewaska
2019.4448.09196
Title
Lake Minnewaska is searched for the body of Merle JordahlCreation Date
July 30 1970Dimensions
3.93700787 in. H x 4.92125984 in. W
Description
The tragic death by drowning of a 41-year-old Glenwood man Saturday night cast a pall over the 15th annual Waterama celebration. The body of Merle Jordahl, a building contractor, was pulled out of Lake Minnewaska at 10:55 a.m. Monday, 36 hours after he was pitched into the lake from a pontoon that had taken part in the pontoon parade Saturday night. Over 50 volunteers, directed by Sheriff Ira Dale Emmons, took part in the rescue operation. Dragging and diving operations went on for 22 hours before Mr. Jordahl's body was recovered in 10 to 15 feet of water about 200 yards out from the Woodlawn Resort in Long Beach. Diving and dragging operations covered an area about five blocks wide and three blocks deep in front of the resort.
Mr. Jordahl, John Parrish and Odean Hagen manned the Veterans of Foreign Wars float in the Pontoon parade, and following the parade were on their way to the Norman Howard dock in Long Beach. However, choppy water made it difficult to navigate the pontoon and the three men started to take down some of the panels and gear to improve their visibility. Mr. Hagen told the Tribune that Mr. Jordahl reached out to adjust the light when the pontoon rolled, throwing Mr. Jordahl into the water. The men attempted to pick up their companion, they saw him in the flashlight beam, when suddenly they couldn't see him anymore and the waves carried them away. I can't believe that it really happened," said Mr. Hagen.
Mr. Jordahl, a lifetime resident of Glenwood, has farmed and been in the contracting business all of his adult life. A veteran of the Korean War, he was an active member of Minnewaska VFW Post 3815, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and served as commander of the local post. Surviving are his wife, Junice; five children at home, Heidi, Robert, Patti, Dennis and Jon; his father, Ole Jordahl of Glenwood and a brother, Sidney, also of Glenwood.
4x5 black and white Film Negative From the Pope County Tribune.
Published - Front page.