Wayne L. Chudomelka died while attempting to save Elsie J. Stenvall from drowning, Tekamuh, Nebraska, July 9, 1982. Miss Stenvall, 31, was fishing in the Missouri River when she slipped while wading near the bank, fell, and was carried away by the swift current. She called for help. Fishing nearby, Chudomelka, 31, welder, heard her screams, entered the river, and swam 15 feet to Miss Stenvall. A struggle ensued, during which both submerged; Miss Stenvall drifted away. Chudomelka swam 20 feet more to reach her, and again they struggled and submerged. Miss Stenvall surfaced and floated downstream, unconscious. Chudomelka surfaced, called for help, and submerged again. Both drowned.
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