The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-05-31
DRO WINS WHEN CANOE CAPSIzES
 AT PT. LOUISA
]. w. Gucker Has Narrow Escape as Death Strikes
 at Fishing Party
EX-MERCHANT'S BODY
 FOUND HOURS LATER
Funeral Services Tentative ly Set for Next Sunday
 Under Auspices Masons

Gunnar Blomgren. age 55, widely known Juneau resident, was drown ed about o'clock yesterday after noon at Point Louisa when canoe from which he and J. w. Gucker of Juneau were fishing capsized about 200 feet from shore almost in front of the Jack Finlay cabin.
 Gucker kept himself afloat in the icy water for approximately 20 minutes until Jack Jeffries with skiff was able to go to his rescue, but MT. Blomgren disappeared after coming up once after the canoe tipped. His body was not found until about Il o'clock last night It was located by Dr. G. F. Free burger, one of a searching party, in approximately the same place where he disappeared The upturn- ed canoe was located at Lena Beach, about three-quarters of mile from the scene of the tragedy, late last night by Sam F'eldon, an- other of the searching party.
 Thrown Into Water
 According to information given officials, Blomgren and Gucker were returning from fishing and when about 200 feet off shore decided to turn around and try few more casts in that vicinity. As Gucker was turning the canoe, it capsized, throwing both men into the water. MT. Blomgren had been sitting on a small cutdown wicker chair in the powered canoe and when the boat overturned the chair was thrown free and floated The canoe with a motor attached sank to just below the waters surface, Mir. Gucker told officers that he shout ed to Blomgren, when he came up, to come over here" as he had grabbed the chair and it was help ing him stay afloat. MT Blomgren failed to answer and seemed not tO IltdI iItItY AIuCkCI odiQ
 Taken to Hospital
 The latter's shouts soon attracted attention on the beach and Jack Jeffries jumped in the first skiff available and rowed to his rescle. Suffering severely from exhaustion and cold, MT. Gucker was first given first aid attention at the home of MT. and Mrs. Jack Finlay and later was brought in and taken to St. Ann's Hospital where he was reported to be recovering today
 MT. Blomgren was born in Ish- penning, Mich, on August 29. 1883. He came to Juneau in 1911 and worked for about 10 years for Charles Goldstein. He then became associated with Arthur Bach in the Sanitary Grocery at the present location of Garnick's Grocery. Later he bought Bach out and operated the Sanitary at that location and later on Front Street where he erected his own building. More recently he sold out his grocery business to w. O. Johnson of the firm now operating Sanitary Piggly Wiggly. MT. Blomgren retained his interests in his building.
 Substantial Citizen
 A substantial citizen, Mir Blom- gren had interested himself in civic affairs during his long residence in the community. He was former City Councilman and was affiliated with the Elks, the blue lodge of Masons, the Scottish Rite and Shriners.
 The body is at the c. w. Carter Mortuary and funeral services have been tentatively set for next Sun day under the auspices of the Masons with the Elks Lodge par ticipating. A brother of Mrs Blom- gren is coming north on the Bar anof which is due here next Sat- urday.
 MT. Blomgren is survived by his wife, a son, Gunnar, Jr., and a daughter. Jane. all of Juneau.