A husband and wife from Ridgeway died a in a two-car accident Monday. The accident happened shortly after three p.m. on Highway nine three miles west of Ridgeway. A car driven by 83-year-old Hariet Ostermeier went out of control, entered the other lane and was broadsided by an oncoming car driven by 44-year-old Lowel Staake of Postville.
Ostermeier and her husband, 79-year-old Earl, were pronounced dead at the scene. Staake and his two passengers, 47-year-old Gregory Goad of Dorchester and 41-year-old Laura Staake of Postville, were taken to the Decorah hospital. The Staakes were then transferred to St. Mary’s in Rochester, where Laura was in fair condition, but a report on Lowell was not available.
Goad was transferred to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, but a condition report is not being released. The Iowa State Patrol closed the highway for about three house until the wreckage could be cleared.