55 years ago

august 27, 1964

The three finalists for Marion County Fair Queen are Candice Batt of Florence, Elaine Klaassen of Hillsboro, and Diane Nickel of Marion. One of them will be crowned tonight, Thursday, by Margene Savage, 1963 Marion County Fair Queen who went on to become Miss Kansas 1965.

Dale Snelling of Florence was named supervisor of the Marion County Park and Lake Friday evening at a special meeting of the county commissioners and park and lake board.

Matt Classen won the coveted first place spot in the Marion City Bowling Association handicap match play tournament that wound up Sunday evening. Pete Klein was in second place followed by Spencer Bevan and Wilbert Backhus.

An explosion, thought to have been caused by a gas leak, literally demolished the home of Mr. and Mrs. Will Helmer at 220 Walnut Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. Helmer was in the basement doing laundry and turned off the light as the explosion occurred. She was blown across the room, knocked down, and her clothing set on fire. She suffered some burns but her condition is not considered serious, although painful.

All four Helmer children were upstairs and were “shook up” but not injured. Much damage was done to the house.