wfn.org | Train-car wreck kills 4 Presbyterian women

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Note #7122 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

10-April-2002
02137

Train-car wreck kills 4 Presbyterian women

Nebraska congregation mourns loss of elderly "pillar" members

by Evan Silverstein

For many years, Pauline Blacksher, Lorene Ruhnke, Marie Wehling and Sarah "Sadie" Henkel worshipped together at First Presbyterian Church in Fairbury, NE. They were inseparable. Where one went, all went.

The four were long-time pillars of First Church in Fairbury, a small town about 125 miles southwest of Omaha. They were active in Presbyterian Women. They attended Bible studies together.

They were together to the end.

The end came on April 1, when a Union Pacific Railroad train broadsided Ruhnke's car at a crossing, killing all four: Ruhnke, 80, who was driving; Blacksher, 84; Henkel, 88; and Wehling, 95.

They died one day after attending Easter services together at their home church.

The accident happened about 9 p.m., just three blocks from the Steele City church.

Jefferson County Sheriff Rex Southwick said Ruhnke apparently didn't see or hear the train barreling toward her at about 55 mph. 

"The crossing itself is pretty wide open," Southwick said. "There's no arm that comes down, and there's no crossing lights."

Ruhnke and Wehling were longtime elementary school teachers in Fairbury, a close-knit community of about 4,300 people. Blacksher, "the rose lady," was known for her flowers and for the cinnamon rolls she baked and took to new neighbors when she invited them to church. Henkel took it upon herself to check up on members who didn't show up for services.

Blacksher is survived by four children, Henkel by one, Ruhnke by four. Ironically, Ruhnke had a daughter who was killed more than 40 years ago in a car-train accident.

A week after the tragedy, people in Fairbury and Steele City were reeling from the loss of the four elderly women, whose lives revolved around their church.

"There was a sense of shock and sadness, and a void," said the Rev. Bill Jardine, interim pastor of the Fairbury and Steele City churches. "Obviously their absence will be very much felt. They were very much loved by the people."

Alfred Wehling of Steele City, a cousin of Marie Wehling's, characterized the women as "good Christian people." His wife, Fern, said they were "important, and nice, people - more or less like pillars in the church."

Members of First Presbyterian in Fairbury said the women had had a major impact on the 340-member congregation and the community.

"The attitude is really sorrow, because they were really wonderful ladies," Jardine said. "But we're determined that we're going to take this experience and commit it to God, and somehow let it be used for some good."

A memorial service and candle ceremony for the women was included in First church's worship service on April 7.

"There weren't too many dry eyes," said church secretary and longtime member Deb Holes. "Flowers from the funerals were left up front. It was absolutely beautiful."

Holes said the victims were "wonderful role models."

Southwick said the crossing where the accident happened is marked by stop signs and warning signs, but has no chimes, lights or crossing arms. 
He said the crew of the 119-car freight saw the Ruhnke's Chrysler and braked, but could not stop in time.

The engine knocked the auto into a roadside ditch; it landed on its top about 120 feet from the point of impact. Southwick said the women were wearing seat belts. 

The sheriff said the normal route from Steele City to Fairbury would not have brought the women to the fatal crossing. He and family members speculated that they detoured to see a 120-year-old Baptist church in Steele City, which has a population of 84.

"That's the only thing the family can come up with," Southwick said, "that they were probably looking at ... the old church on that side of the tracks."
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