Patricia L. "Pat" Zimmer, 18, Gogebic Community College Sophomore Cheerleader, died with two classmates in a head-on collision on icy, snow-covered US-2 near Iron River, MI, on the way to a Samson vs. UW-Marinette basketball game in Peshtigo, WI. She was pronounced dead on arrival at Crystal Falls Municipal Hospital, Crystal Falls, MI.

She was a 1966 graduate of Ontonagon High School, where she had been a cheerleader and the 1966 Basketball Homecoming Queen.

She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Zimmer of Ontonagon.

THREE GCC STUDENTS DIE IN CAR ACCIDENT
Marlene's fiancé or almost fiance, Michael R. Adriansen (19) of Iron River, who had been living with his maternal grandparents at 104 Shamrock Street, Ironwood, while a student at Gogebic Community College, where he was the starting center and leading scorer of the GCC Samson Basketball Team, had been driving on an icy, snow-covered highway, when he lost control of the car which went off onto the shoulder of the road. When he attempted to get the car back onto the three-lane highway, the vehicle reportedly crossed over into the westbound traffic lane and collided head-on with another car. He died instantly at the scene on Thursday afternoon, December 21, 1967, on US 2, east of downtown Iron River, Michigan, nine-tenths of a mile past Bates-Amasa Road (County Road 643), Bates Township, closest to Iron River, near where Mike's parents lived, and where he had just made a spontaneous side trip without telling anyone in the other two cars being driven to the game.

All who died were front-seat passengers: Marlene Clemens (19) of Ironwood, Mike, and Miss Patricia L. Zimmer (18) of Ontonagon, were traveling to a GCC basketball game with University of Wisconsin-Marinette in a new gym in Peshtigo, WI. The game was cancelled at 6:45 p.m.

Marlene Clemens was born to Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Clemens in Ironwood, MI, on August 10, 1948, attending local schools and graduating from Luther L. Wright High School in 1966. During her years in high school, she was active in extra-curricular activities and was a member of the LLWHS Band. She was a member of Saint Michael's Catholic Church and the Newman Club at GCC. She was a Sophomore Cheerleader and expert baton twirler at Gogebic Community College at the time of the accident which took her life on Thursday, December 21, 1967. She died moments after being admitted to Crystal Falls Municipal Hospital, Crystal Falls, Michigan. Interment at Riverside Cemetery.

Surviving were her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Clemens of 613 Cloverland Drive, Ironwood; two brothers, Eugene & Edwin; and one sister, Charlene, all at home.

The three other cheerleaders, all rear seat passengers, were: Lana Sue Wilson (18) sustained a fractured pelvis; Susan Shiroda (18) was reported in fair condition with mouth lacerations (both of Ironwood); and Christine Rukkila (18) of Wakefield, seriously injured with a fractured leg and multiple lacerations around the mouth.

Driving the westbound car was Miss Ernestine Opie Otto (18) of Iron River (her obituary says that the accident occurred on "Lake Emily Hill"), who died the next morning, Friday, at 6 a.m., apparently in the Stambaugh Hospital. Ernestine was skipping school with two friends (her high school didn't get out for CHRIST mas vacation until Friday, December 22; however college students were already on vacation). Her front seat passengers, Ruth Jane Carlson (18) and Melody Petroff (17), both of Iron River, were critically injured but recovered, both sustaining broken legs and dislocated hips.

For three days, Mike had begged Mrs. Palmer, Coach Palmer, and everyone else he could think of to let him drive the car with the cheerleaders. Mrs. Palmer said, "no", until just before they left, when she finally relented and let him drive her car with the four cheerleaders and the equipment.

Driving the second car was Coach Harold Palmer with passengers: Mrs. Palmer, WJMS Radio Sportscaster Joe Blake, Henry Wiirtala, Jim Milakovich, and Don Barbacovi (married to Mrs. Milakovich's twin sister). Riding in the third car were Larry Fafford, Rick Syreila (sp?), Danny Purtilla (sp?), Kerry "Tubby" Evans, & Mike "Mickey" Misbauer. These two cars waited in Iron Mountain, not knowing that Michael had made his detour when they first noticed his car was no longer in tandem with them.)

GCC changed their policy because of the accident, and private cars are no longer used for transportation. Coach Harold Palmer lost his home at 401 Lake Avenue and everything they had, declaring bankruptcy because of all the lawsuits, and moved from Ironwood when GCC wouldn't make his position full-time.

In March 1965, Pat Zimmer won 2nd place in Class A Girls' competition at the Fourth Annual Wirtanen Downhill Ski Races at the Porcupine Mountain Ski Hill (62 skiers participated, including Dennis Mackey, who won 2nd place, Class A Boys). Races were sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Wirtanen of the White Pine Inn.

GCC Cheerleaders - May 1967 Awards
Pat Zimmer (far left)
Marlene Clemens (far right)