Martha Senger

1930 - Cannon Ball Township, Hettinger County, North Dakota.

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Mrs. Martha Senger, 49, of Oakland, Ca., suffered a heart attack and died Sunday while swimming in Florida, and her son-in-law, Jack Borovicka, 25, was drowned when he rushed to her rescue.

Word of the double tragedy was received here today as the family was planning a happy reunion October 15 in honor of the golden wedding anniversary of Mrs Sengers parents, Mr and Mrs Kraft, of 3315 Maybelle Avenue.

Mrs Senger lived with her husband, Math Senger, a carpenter, at 2738 East 16th Street. She went east in April to visit her daughter Sabina, wife of jack Bocovicka stationed with the Navy at Green Cove Springs, Florida. The three of them and the Borovicka's son Richard, 2 were to have returned for the reunion next month.

Red Cross dispatches told briefly of the Sunday outing which ended in tragedy. Mrs Senger and her daughter were in the water when Mrs Senger was sticken. Mrs Borovicka, holding her mother above the surface, cried for help and Borovicka dove in to rescue them. Although reportedly a good swimmer, he disappeared before reaching the women. Borovicka's body was recovered a short time later.

Mrs Senger and her husband came to Oakland from North Dakota in 1938. Sabina was graduated from St Elizabeth's High School and married Borovicka in December 1944, while he was stationed here with the Navy.

Surviving Mrs Senger, in addition to her husband, Mrs. Borovicka and her parents, are two brothers, Joseph and Matthew Kraft of Oakland, four sisters, Polly Schott and Kathryn Windsor of Oakland, and Theresa Van Hale and Emelia Schaffer of San Leandro.

Three years ago. Mrs Senger's only son, Joseph, a paratrooper of the 101st Division, was killed in action in the Holland invasion. Borovicka is survived by his widow and son, his parents, Mr and Mrs Joseph Borovicka of Portland and a sister, Betty. Funeral services for both are pending in Oakland. ~ Oakland Tribune, 23 Sep 1947, page 2.

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Funeral services were pending today for Jack Borovicka, a 25 year old sailor from Portland, Ore., stationed at the Green Cove Springs Naval Station, and his mother-in-law, Mrs Martha Senger, who were drowned yesterday at Vilano Beach.

Borovicka's wife, Judy, and her mother were pulled from the surf by Dan Hinson, a Boy Scout, and Leon Desvousges of the St Augustine fire department. Judy Borobvicka was saved but her mother died shorly after at he hospital. Borovicka's body was washed ashore later A strong undertow was blamed for the tragedy. ~ The Miami News, 22 and 23 Sep 1947