MN MN - Ione Rehwinkle, 23, Rochester, 1 January 1952

[Richard]

Ione Ruth Rehwinkle

• 

Rehwinkle, circa 1952

• Missing Since 01/01/1952
• Missing From Rochester, Minnesota
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Sex Female
• Race White
• Date of Birth 12/11/1928 (91)
• Age 23 years old
• Height and Weight 5'4, 115 pounds
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Brown hair. Rehwinkle's nickname is Growt.

Details of Disappearance

Rehwinkle was last seen in Rochester, Minnesota sometime in 1952. She was divorced, had a job at a local bar, and was mother to a one-year-old son. Her family believes she was abducted, either from her front yard or by sailors while she was working the night shift at the bar.

She has never been heard from again and the original missing persons report was lost or destroyed. Little information is available in her case, but her family still hopes for resolution.

Investigating Agency

• Rochester Police Department

Source Information

• NamUs
• Websleuths
• Ione Rehwinkle's family
• Ione Ruth Rehwinkle – The Charley Project

 

[John/Jane Doe]

Ione Rehwinkle has been missing for 70 years.

 

[Richard]

70 Years Missing...

Ione Ruth Growt Rehwinkle
BIRTH 11 Dec 1928
Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA
DEATH 1952 (aged 23–24)

LINK:

Ione Ruth Growt Rehwinkle (1928-1952) - Find a...

 

[Laughing]

So there was no match to the remains found in Colorado, mentioned upthread?

 

[John/Jane Doe]

I've just submitted both cases in a comparison to the Doe Network, they said that they've put the cases on their matches panel! Let's hope this will result in a positive identification

I've just submitted both cases in a comparison to the Doe Network, they said that they've put the cases on their matches panel! Let's hope this will result in a positive identification

Did you get any response from this?

 

[Richard]

Bumping this thread up. Ione's case is included in the Minnesota BCA's Missing Person Clearinghouse website.

LINK:

https://portal.dps.mn.gov/bca/unsolved-cases/UnsolvedCasesDocuments/Rehwinkle-Ione.pdf

 

[aburdick]

Currently working with the Doe Network and learned that the reason you haven't received an answer on the CO comparison is that there is, apparently, no DNA to be had from the unidentified remains. I'm having them look into it again. Things I've learned in researching this:
1) It was not unusual in that era to destroy records after a period of time unless it was a death or fatality
2) Other missing women cases from the area were put out to the media; there are none for Ione
Why? Could it be that the police did not feel there was foul play? Is that what was told to them? We don't know. I can't verify that a report was filed in 1952.
3) A lot had happened in Ione's life in a short matter of time:
1950-Grandpa dies, 1950-Divorce, 1951-Mom dies, 1951-Son is born, 1951 (Nov) Mom's estate goes to probate, 1952 - probate closes, 1952-Ione goes missing
4) Robert Rehwinkle does go into the Air Force in 1951, but I have no records that he did not come back to Rochester. The next record I can find is that he is in Offut, OK in Feb. 1952. Unless there is someone that can find his military records I'm not sure he should be ruled out if we're talking foul play.
5) I've come up with 3 possible bars so far: The Hollywood, The Normandy Bar and possibly Morey's Bar. My hunch says The Hollywood Bar. It depends what they are considering the main drag. I would assume Broadway.
6) I found 2 possibilities, although 1 quite remote, of "sailors" possibly being in Rochester:
04/19/52 - Navy Band performs at the Civic Center in Rochester (just 3 blocks from Broadway)
06/23/52 - "Scottish Navy" - gypsies are in town, known for door to door sales/thefts

What I'd like to know:
Any military records for Robert.
Who took care of Ione's children after she left?
Who applied for the death certificate?

As far as serial killers go, I do have one of interest that was working, not in MN, but in the surrounding states and for sure in Colorado. I have to do more research before I am confident.