Sioux City Journal

Onawa Man Hurt in House Explosion

August 29, 2007

6 comment(s)

Onawa man hurt in house explosion

By Travis Coleman, Journal Staff Writer

An 80-year-old Onawa, Iowa, man was hospitalized with burn injuries Tuesday afternoon after an explosion damaged an unoccupied rural Onawa home he owns.

The explosion happened about 12:30 p.m. in the basement at 20877 Gum Ave., where Earl Thelander had just plugged in a fan to help vent fumes from a propane line that had been cut in an alleged burglary earlier Tuesday, the Monona County Sheriff’s Office reported.

After the explosion, Thelander drove about two miles to his home, where he then was taken to Burgess Health Center in Onawa, said Carol Otto of Onawa, Thelander’s sister-in-law. Thelander was airlifted from Onawa to an Omaha burn unit, where he has second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body, Otto said. He is listed in critical condition.

“It’s so awful,” Otto said. “It doesn’t sound very good.”

At Burgess, Thelander told his family that he thought “all the gas was gone” prior to the explosion, Otto said.

Authorities said they believe the explosion is connected to a cut propane line on a furnace in the basement. The sheriff’s office had been called to the home Tuesday morning on a report of burglary and vandalism, but when deputies arrived, no one was there. No one has been arrested and there are no suspects, said Eric Martin, sheriff’s office dispatcher.

The burglar broke a door to get into the home and removed copper waterlines before attempting to take the copper propane line, the sheriff’s office reported. Thelander owns the home, which was vacant, neighbors said.

Siding was hanging off the front of the house, which the sheriff’s office said received considerable structural damage. The south wall of the home was blown out and is being held up by two poles, Otto said.

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by the Onawa Fire Department and the Onawa Police Department.

“We’re all praying and hoping everything will be OK,” Otto said.
Read Comments > |

Gaylen-California wrote on Sep 22, 2007 6:45 PM:
“Let’s not let this story die. Criminals should be brought to justice. There are people out there buying this hot stuff, they know it, they aren’t stupid enough to believe some of the stories. CA has a one week wait period to get your money, you have to show VALID ID. Maybe some of the heat should go onto the guys who buy stolen material. How about some good ole investigative reporting?”

Cindy Miller wrote on Sep 2, 2007 10:05 AM:
“We lost a wonderful man last night to an incident that neve should have happened. Anyone that knew Dad knows that there was not a mean bone in his body and some jerk just took that person away from a wife,6 kids and their spouses,10 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a 2 foster grandchildren. Five more kids and their spouses, I don’t know how much more needs said, you get the picture? This is a senseless tragedy that should never have happened. Our only peace now is that he is not in pain and we WILL find those responsible and make them look all of us in the eyes to see what they robbed from us!”

Lori Mathes wrote on Aug 31, 2007 8:09 AM:
“My heart is aching every day for my stepfather, and I just keep praying that he will be strong enough to get through this. He is my Mother’s lifeline, and the thought of her having to go on without him only makes the aching worse. This family will not quit, until we find the person or people who are responsible for this. We ask for any help we can get…in bringing them to justice. PLEASE come forward if you have any information.”

Jody Ewing wrote on Aug 31, 2007 12:47 AM:
“Earl Thelander is not only my step-father, he’s the kindest, most gentle and decent man I’ve ever known. In his family and community, he’s regarded as a role model — someone who fully understands the difference between hard work and hard times — and one who’s led many by example through both. When Earl married my mother, Hope, 25 years ago come this December, that’s exactly what they shared…hope… Hope that his “6” children and her own “5” (+ the 2 of them) could somehow work together with that perfect baker’s dozen for the rest of all their lives. Mom and Earl, we’re all here for both of you and the cinnamon rolls are a’risin’! There’s a reason why God gave angels two wings.”

Nancy wrote on Aug 29, 2007 11:53 PM:
“I will Pray that he makes it i’m so sorry to hear about that i can’t beleve someone would do that and it almost killed the man.”

Doug Thelander wrote on Aug 29, 2007 10:52 AM:
“For less than $20 worth of old copper pipes, these cowardly thieves, with no thought of the consequences to innocent people, have caused a horrible accident, terrible trauma to a good man, and have affected the lives of dozens of close friends and family members. We ask for the community’s thoughts and prayers for our husband, father, and friend. We want this resolved. If anyone has any information about this crime, please call the Monona Co. Sheriff at 800-859-1414. Any information will be kept confidential. The Earl Thelander Family”

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Onawa man hospitalized after home explodes

August 30, 2007

Onawa man hospitalized after home explodes

By Travis Coleman
Journal Staff Writer

An 80-year-old Onawa, Iowa, man was hospitalized after a rural Onawa home exploded Tuesday afternoon.

The explosion happened around 12:30 p.m., in the home’s basement, where Earl Thelander was venting fumes from a propane line that had been cut in an alleged burglary earlier Tuesday, the Monona County Sheriff’s Office reported today. Thelander was then taken from the home at 20877 Gum Ave., by private vehicle to Burgess Health Center in Onawa with burns.

Authorities believe the explosion is connected to the cut propane line on a furnace in the basement. The sheriff’s office had been called to the home Tuesday morning for the burglary and vandalism but when deputies arrived, the alleged burglar was gone. No one has been arrested and there are no suspects, said Eric Martin, sheriff’s office dispatcher.

It wasn’t known if the home was Thelander’s, Martin said.

A relative in Onawa, Sharon Thelander, said she just found out about the explosion and didn’t know how Earl was doing.

The home sustained considerable structural damage, the sheriff’s office reported.

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Onawa man hurt in explosion dies in Omaha – SCJ

Onawa man hurt in explosion dies in Omaha

September 3, 2007
ONAWA, Iowa — The man hurt in a home explosion last week died Saturday in Omaha.

Earl Thelander, 80, died at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church in Onawa. Burial will be at a later date.

Thelander was hospitalized Tuesday with burn injuries after an explosion damaged an unoccupied home he owns in rural Onawa. The explosion happened in the basement at 20877 Gum Ave., where Thelander had just plugged in a fan to help vent fumes from a propane line that had been cut in an alleged burglary earlier Tuesday, the Monona County Sheriff’s Office reported.

After the explosion, Thelander drove about two miles to his home, where he then was taken to Burgess Health Center in Onawa. He was then was airlifted to an Omaha burn unit, where medical personnel treated second-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

The burglar broke a door to get into the home and removed copper water lines before attempting to take the copper propane line, the sheriff’s office reported. Thelander owns the home, which was vacant, neighbors said.

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Journal Comments

Phyllis Brus wrote on Sep 3, 2007 6:55 PM:
“My feeling is if this vandal is found he should be tried for manslauter at the very least.”

~~Tragic~~ wrote on Sep 3, 2007 5:24 PM:
“How tragic. Chances are the person responsible for this tragedy doesn’t read the newspaper. But if by chance they do; you should be ashamed of yourself. You stole things that weren’t yours and then took this man’s life; all over a couple bucks!? Hopefully this family can grieve and find peace; knowing the “big guy” knows who you are.”

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the Monona County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 423-2525.

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Earl Thelander Obituary – SCJ

Earl Thelander

ONAWA, Iowa — Earl Thelander, 80, of Onawa passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha from burns sustained earlier in the week from a propane explosion at one of his rental properties.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church in Onawa. Graveside services will be at a later date. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a celebration of life service at 7 p.m., at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.

Earl was born May 9, 1927, in Arcadia, Neb., the son of Henry and Amanda (Gestrine) Thelander. He grew up in Polk, Neb. He graduated in Stromsburg, Neb., in 1944. After graduation, he went into the U.S. Coast Guard. After his discharge, he began farming and farmed for several years.

On Feb. 3, 1950, he married Berniece Obrist and to this union six children were born. They lived and farmed in the Osceola area until he began working for Mamco Manufacturing Company in Stromsburg. He later transferred to Honeggars Manufacturing Company in Onawa. After they closed, he went to work for Onawa Propane and in 1967, started his own business, Thelander’s Plumbing and Heating in Onawa. He was blessed to have his entire family involved in the business.

On Dec. 30, 1982, he married Hope Ewing in Onawa. They lived in Onawa, where he enjoyed doing yard work, gardening, watching the birds and squirrels on his back deck and his “coffee time.” The couple owned and operated Thelander’s Softener Service and Thelander’s Rentals. They owned the Monona Hotel and the Park Hotel and many other rental properties over the years.

He was a member of First Christian Church of Onawa and helped with Boy Scouts, when his sons were younger. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was also loved by the entire community. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Hope Thelander of Onawa; six children, Doug Thelander of Castana, Iowa, Byron (Sharon) Thelander of Onawa, Vicki (Otis) Gray of Onawa, Cindy (Doug) Miller of Sioux City, Gaylen (Ruthie) Thelander of Madera, Calif., and Brad Thelander of Sergeant Bluff; five stepchildren, Kim (Jon) Berens, Jody (Dennis Ryan) Ewing, Lori (Steve) Mathes, Kysa Ewing and Brett (Deb) Ewing, all of Onawa; 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty (Clarence) Nielsen of Stromsburg, Neb., Darlene Gordon of York, Neb., Jean Twarling of Sidney, Neb., and Wanda (DeLano) Ahlquist of Loveland, Colo.; three brothers, Doyle (Gina) Thelander of Lincoln, Neb., Darwin (Sarah) Thelander of Peel, Ark., and Dean (Ginger) Thelander of Harrison, Ark.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Bobby Gray; his father-in-law, Raymond Archer; a sister-in-law, June Ooten; and three brothers-in-law, Hal Gordon, Glenn Twarling and Dan VanWinkel.

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Thieves Target Copper Pipes, Wiring

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Thieves target copper pipes, wiring

By Loretta Sorensen, Journal correspondent

VERMILLION, S.D. — A unique kind of darkness has been invading rural areas in recent months: urban mining.

Thieves, who generally perpetrate their crimes under cover of darkness, have been stripping isolated farm places and sometimes homes in small towns of copper wire which they sell to area scrap metal dealers.

Concerns are mounting that thieves are not only risking their lives and causing thousands of dollars of damage to homes and businesses, but they also are endangering the lives of others.

The recent death of Earl Thelander, an 80-year-old Onawa, Iowa, man, who died from injuries suffered in an explosion that followed the removal of copper gas pipes coming into a house he owned validates those concerns.

“There’s a reward for anyone who can provide information about who did this,” said Jody Ewing, Thelander’s stepdaughter. “I never heard of urban mining before this happened. It’s so senseless.”

Leo Powell, operations manager for Clay-Union Electric Co-op at Vermillion, wonders if thieves in southeast South Dakota have at least some knowledge of how electrical power works.

“They’re putting themselves in some very dangerous situations in order to steal the wire, things a trained electrician wouldn’t do because it’s so unsafe” Powell said. “It makes me wonder if they actually worked for a power company. They either know what they’re doing and taking the risk anyway, or they’re mighty lucky.”

Powell cited the instance of a Kansas man who broke into a substation and was electrocuted because of his lack of knowledge about how electrical lines work.

“He was cutting ground wires off inside the substation and he was killed,” Powell said. “Some of the situations we’ve found, it’s hard to believe people would be that lucky. They almost have to know how electricity flows through the lines.”

Powell recommended that farmers be cautious if they find an isolated farmstead suddenly without power. In some cases, thieves leave dangerous situations behind when they dismantle electric poles and transformers.

It’s been about eight years since copper theft was an issue in southeast South Dakota. Rising copper prices drove the thefts then, just as they are now.

“Copper sells for about $3 a pound,” Powell said. “To put that into perspective, we paid about $900 for a transformer last year at this time. Now we’re paying $1,500.”

It’s not uncommon for thieves to steal as much as half-a-mile of copper wire.

In some cities, they steal copper elements from air conditioners. They begin at the end of a block and steal the same components from every homeowner on the block. Their actions don’t net them large sums of money; however, the damage they cause can run into thousands of dollars for homeowners and businesses.

“Scrap buyers in South Dakota are required to obtain a signature from sellers declaring that the wire they’re selling isn’t stolen,” Powell said. “Law enforcement is doing all it can to monitor homes and businesses, too. People should just be cautious if they find a situation where their power is suddenly out.”

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A good man died a needless, pointless death

‘A good man died a needless, pointless death’

Two months after blast, search continues for those responsible

By Travis Coleman, Journal Staff Writer
October 28, 2007

ONAWA, Iowa — Not a week goes by that Doug Thelander doesn’t want to tell his dad, Earl, about something. Recently, he watched a movie on the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II, something he thought the U.S. Coast Guard veteran would have enjoyed.

“I wanted to tell him how good it was,” Doug said.

Two months ago today, on Aug. 28, Earl was injured by an explosion in the basement of one of his rental properties, which had been burglarized by copper thieves hours earlier. Four days later, the 80-year-old who family members said was as fit as a man 10 years younger died at an Omaha burn unit. His injuries were a result of a sliced propane line that ignited while he was cleaning.

Courtesy photo Tim Hynds/Sioux City Journal
Byron Thelander, Vicki Gray and Doug Thelander pose at a memorial they created at the rural Onawa home where their father, Earl Thelander, 80, died after a home explosion two months ago. He died as a result of burns after the home was broken into and copper thieves cut a propane line.

No arrests have been made in the case, and Earl’s family and the Monona County Sheriff’s Office are still searching for those responsible for his death.

“No one is going to let this go away,” Doug Thelander said.

Rising scrap metal prices — about $3 a pound — drive the theft of copper from homes, businesses and construction sites. Although not completely absent from Northwest Iowa, Monona County Sheriff Jeff Pratt said the problem exists mostly in southern Iowa and cities such as Omaha. Since Earl’s death, there have not been any reported copper thefts in Monona County, Pratt said.

“I think people to the south are still having problems,” he said.

A deadly crime

At times, thieves steal miles of copper wire, leaving thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to buildings and, in the case of Earl Thelander, a family without its patriarch.

Sometime between 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 27, and 8 a.m. the next day, the thief or thieves broke into the unoccupied home at 20877 Gum Ave. in Onawa.

They stole about 20 feet of copper tubing from the basement and, in a search for more, cut what they may have believed was a water line, Pratt said. In fact, it was a propane line connected to a furnace. They then left with about $20 worth of copper.

Sheriff’s deputies went to the home that Tuesday morning to investigate after they got a call about the burglary. All the while, gas continued to seep out of the severed tubing.

Earl, who owned the home but didn’t live there, stopped by to clean up the mess left from the burglary. Around 12:30 p.m., he plugged in a fan to vent the gas fumes and believed the gas had dissipated when the home exploded.

“He said it was the brightest flash he’d ever seen,” said Byron Thelander, another of Earl’s 11 children.

“Unfortunately, it was one of the last ones.”

With what were later determined to be third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body, Earl crawled from the basement to his vehicle and drove more than three miles to his home, waving at people as he passed, said Vicki Gray, his daughter.

Earl was taken by ambulance to Burgess Health Center in Onawa. Initially, Gray said, her father didn’t look too bad — his face a little red — and he had been joking with family members after being admitted to the Onawa hospital.

“He was blaming himself,” Byron said. “We try to keep everything light.”

More than 30 people gathered at the Onawa hospital, the largest gathering of a family at that hospital, Byron said nurses told him. But almost immediately, doctors told the family Earl’s chances for recovery were slim. While Earl was in a medically induced coma, they said their goodbyes.

“I just told him how proud I was of him,” Doug said.

Earl was airlifted to the burn unit at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, where he died.

‘A constant reminder’

In the days following his death, family members received more than 1,000 cards, Gray said.

Front page of Sioux City Journal article

The investigation remains open, in hopes that someone who knows who broke into the home will talk. It’s unknown if the culprit was simply passing through the area, but Pratt has been in contact with salvage yards in Onawa, Sioux City and Omaha. The sheriff’s office has interviewed 20 people so far, Pratt said. He’s also notified all sheriff’s offices in Iowa about the investigation.

Doug talks to Pratt every Thursday to check for any new developments.

“The case file has been left on my desk … it’s a constant reminder,” Pratt said.

Looking for leads

Doug believes someone in the community knows more about the burglary, and he is calling on decent people to take their community back.

“A good man died a needless, pointless death,” Doug said. “(Whoever) did this … knows someone, sooner or later, is going to talk.”

Last Wednesday, Doug, Byron and Vicki gathered outside the house where Earl was hurt but didn’t want to go inside. The walls were still held up by poles.

It was then that Gray spoke about losing her 19-year-old son, Bobby, in 1998. Years ago, Bobby wrote about how he’d like to be reincarnated as an eagle so he could see everybody from the sky. It’s not often one spots an eagle in Onawa, and Gray said Bobby is often symbolized by a hawk.

Recently, Gray spotted two hawks perched on two telephone poles, a sign, she believes, of Bobby and his grandpa, Earl. One hawk flew off, soon followed by the second.

“I knew it was Bobby trying to get his grandpa to fly,” Gray said. “It was a sign to me that he was OK.”

Reward being offered

Officials are offering a Crimestoppers reward for information leading to an arrest in the case involving the theft of copper tubing from Earl Thelander’s property and his subsequent death.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the Monona County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 423-2525.

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