Wednesday, September 29, 2021 | Firemen’s Salute | Page 1
Fire Safety + PREVENTION
ST R
Learning the sounds of fire safety
Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
509 carries retired Melrose firefighter to final resting place
October 3-9, 2021
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
C
hances are Marv Kemper rode in 1952 Melrose pumper 509 responding to calls during his 21 years as a Melrose firefighter. On Sept. 1, he rode in it one last time. Following his funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, grandson Wes Kemper handed his urn to Joe Finken, Melrose Department chaplain, who handed it to firefighter Corey Bueckers who then sat in the passenger’s seat of the red pumper truck with Kemper’s urn on his lap as Finken drove the truck to his final resting place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Bueckers stared straight ahead, his gloved hand still on Kemper’s urn, as Finken drove the truck through the cemetery behind the Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation van, followed by Kemper’s family
Chaplain’s dream
comes true
PHOTOS BY CAROL MOORMAN
Melrose firefighter Corey Bueckers (second from right) hands Marv Kemper’s urn to his grandson, Wes Kemper, Sept. 1 during Kemper’s burial service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose, while watching is Joe Finken, Melrose firefighter chaplain, and Kemper’s grandsons, Colton Mueller (from left), Ben Kemper and Wyatt Kemper. Kemper was the first retired Melrose firefighter to be given a last ride to the cemetery. Pumper 509 was used by the Melrose Fire Department years ago for fighting fires. Melrose firefighter Corey Bueckers holds Marv Kemper’s urn while sitting in pumper 509 Sept. 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Kemper responded to calls in this truck when he was a firefighter.
members. As part of this first-time solemn ceremony, Bueckers exited the truck and handed the urn back to Wes Kemper, who carried it to the burial site. Minutes later, the fire truck sirens sounded as the burial concluded. Finken was instrumental in locating
and returning the 1952 Ford F-6 pumper truck, known as 509, to Melrose, with a goal of refurbishing it and using it in parades and to bring Melrose firefighters to their final resting places. The four-year process started when Melrose City Clerk Patti
Haase located information from when 509 was purchased brand new by the city for $4,150, including an attic ladder. It was ordered March 26, 1952, and delivered on June 6, 1952. The bill of sale was signed by then city clerk Ignatius Lemm, also a firefighter.
• Farm F • Business • Auto • Home • Life • Health
“Our Policies Always Come with Agents.”
Andy Otremba
Andy Noble
RaeAnn Waytashek Brian Jarl
ALBANY Offices 140 5th Street, in: Albany, MN 56307 PIERZ
Matt Mitzel
Bill Werlinger Mark Buntjer
Ross Voit
Dan Fiedler
Justin Berg
MELROSE
SAUK CENTRE
6 3rd Ave. NE Melrose, MN 56352
864 Main Street Sauk Centre, MN 56378
HOLDINGFORD
205 Main St N, Pierz, MN 56364
580 Main St., Holdingford, MN 56340
ST. CLOUD
LONG PRAIRIE
3801 North 3rd Street St. Cloud, MN 56303
9 Central Ave Long Prairie, MN 56347
(320) 252-6650 | advantageoneins.com | Fax (320) 252-7536
Finken estimated the tank held close to 250 gallons of water, compared to now when pumpers hold 750 to 1,000 gallons of water. Hoses were stored in the back and on the side.
Last ride page 2
Page 2 | Firemen’s Salute | Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Last ride from front
Back then, Melrose had two pumper trucks – one used to fight city fires and the other to fight farm fires. “Melrose had a bylaw back in the day that no matter what, one pumper had to remain in the city limits at all times,” Finken said. 509 was a frontline pumper from 1952 until around 1970, when a new pumper truck was purchased and 509 was used as a backup. In 1993, 509 was sold to Doug Mosch of Doug’s Auto in Marshall. “This guy specialized in buying fire trucks for the Knights of Columbus that were given to places in South America,” Finken said. This pumper, however, stayed in the states. In 1997, the dealership sold it to vehicle collector John Albritton of Sarasota, Florida, who owned a fruit company. Finken googled Albritton Fruit Company and found a phone number, which led to numerous “touching base” phone discussions. One year into the search, Finken was mailed a photo of the truck Albritton had and confirmed
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Melrose honor guard members Bob Von Wahlde (from left), Ivan Blenker and Mike Schlicht stand in formation Sept. 1 as 1952 Melrose pumper 509 travels through St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose. Inside the truck, firefighter Corey Bueckers was holding the urn of retired firefighter Marv Kemper.
it was Melrose’s ’52 pumper. During another phone call, Finken asked Albritton if he would like to sell it. At the time, it had been sitting in a shed untouched and undriven. Albritton said he had to think about it. Albritton passed away but his son, John, Jr., knew about Finken’s interest in the truck. In October 2018, Finken started pressing harder, calling on a weekly basis. Finally, during an early January 2019 conversation, Fink-
en asked Albritton what price he would ask for it if he sold it. Finken explained to Albritton that Melrose had lost a lot of history in recent years due to major fires and returning a piece of Melrose history back home was important to him, as mayor and a firefighter. “He said, ‘You can have it. You just have to pick it up,’” Finken said. Finken had received the okay from fellow firefighters and blessing from city staff to move
THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
Polar Tank Trailer, LLC, is the largest over-the-road tank trailer manufacturer in the United States. We are a premier manufacturer of tank trailer’s known for our premium products, simplicity of design, customization and mission-specific engineering. Seeking 30 Welders and Assemblers | Sign on Bonuses!
320.746.2255 12810 Co. Rd. 17 (Opole) Holdingford, MN 56340
ahead with this. Excited to see this project come to fruition, Finken and his family took a vacation to Flor-
ida in June 2019 so he could see the ’52 pumper and visit with John Albritton, Jr., who handed him paperwork that went
with the pumper. Finken returned home in time to see fellow firefighter Ben Imdieke, who drove to Sarasota to pick it up, drive 509, on a flatbed trailer, to the Melrose Fire/Ambulance Station June 8. 509, which had not run since 1993, was restored with work done by firefighters and with donations, not using taxpayers’ money. Buffing brought the color back to life. A little revamping has to be done to the back of the truck so it can carry a casket, so Finken was happy to find out firefighter Kemper’s remains were in an urn. On Sept. 1, Finken solemnly sat next to Bueckers driving 509 through St. Mary’s Cemetery; Bueckers’ hand rested on top of Kemper’s urn. 509 carried the first retired Melrose firefighter to his final resting place, and a dream came true for Finken.
Melrose firefighter Joe Finken (right) pushes the button to start the siren on 1952 Melrose pumper 509 while fellow firefighters Leon Feldewerd (left) and Corey Bueckers listen during the burial service for retired firefighter Marv Kemper Sept. 1 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose. Finken was instrumental in returning this fire truck to Melrose in 2019, after a 25-year absence.
Index
Albany ............................................... page 3 Avon ................................................... page 4 Belgrade............................................ page 5 Brooten ............................................. page 6 Elrosa.................................................. page 7 Freeport ............................................ page 8 Grey Eagle ........................................ page 9 Holdingford ..................................... page 10 Long Prairie...................................... page 11 Melrose.............................................. page 13 New Munich .................................... page 14 Osakis................................................. page 15 Sauk Centre...................................... page 16 Villard ................................................. page 18
INSIDE STORIES: WWW.POLARTANK.COM
Last Ride | Melrose ....................... page 1-2 Equipment | Albany ...................... page 11-12 Training | Sauk Centre .................. page 17-19
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 | Firemen’s Salute | Page 11
Thank you! LLONG PRAIRIE PACKING CO. www.mn-bank.bank
SAUK CENTRE LONG PRAIRIE PELICAN RAPIDS
P.O. Box 148 • Long Prairie, MN 56347
320-732-2171
Member FDIC
810 1st St S, Long Prairie, MN 56347
(320) 732-6163
LONG PRAIRIE Fire Department
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Long Prairie Fire Department members are Jason Sellnow (front, from left) Otis Ostendorf, David Wright, Dan Laumeyer, John Ecker, Josh Luberts, Chris Haasser; (middle, from left) Noah Koltes, Brandon Hudalla, Bud Otte, Josh Spieker, Dan Warner, Jeremy Sovich, Jeremy Haugen, Jim Kreemer, Kyle Bodle; (back, from left) Josh Meyer, Salvador Morelos, Pete Nelson, Kevin Houdek, Jerry Swartzentruber, Omar Rocio Zamora.
Equipment is firefighters’ lifeline Albany FD awaits delivery of Rosenbauer engine BY DIANE LEUKAM STAFF WRITER PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Albany Fire Department’s new 1st Engine is nearing completion at the Rosenbauer plant in Lyons, South Dakota. Delivery is expected in October or November.
Customized to Your Operation
Upper Midwest Pumping Woeste Custom Harvesting
Equipment page 12
TRAILER SALES & SERVICE
Licensed & Insured
Specializing in Custom Pumping and Drag Hose Applications Custom Forage Harvesting of Hay and Corn Silage
PUMPING
or foam at the rate of 1,500 gallons of water per minute. Additional equipment it will carry
includes SCBA (selfcontained breathing apparatus), auto extrication tools, ladders, exhaust fans and many other items needed for fighting a fire. The truck is being built by Rosenbauer in
Call now to get on our schedule! Tim 320-247-3857 Brian 320-293-2703
UPPER MIDWEST
The Albany Fire Department is awaiting the delivery of a new Rosenbauer engine, a pumper truck that will be the department’s 1st Engine, replacing a model year 2000 engine. It will carry 750 gallons of water and about 2,100 feet of hose ranging from 1” to 6” in diameter, and used to spray water and/
Albany Fire Chief Gary Winkels
www.uppermidwestpumping.com info@uppermidwestpumping.com 21171 US Hwy. 7 • Long Prairie, MN 56347
940 Commerce Rd. Long Prairie, MN 56347 320.732.6195
YOUR COMPLETE FARM & HOME STORE West Highway 52 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 320.352.5261
See our inventory at thetrailercenter.com
Trailerman – H&H Darkhorse – Haulmark Ridgeline
320.732.6161| Highway 71 | Long Prairie, MN
phone. 320-732-2819 fax. 320-732-2148 www.centralbi.com
PO Box 359 Long Prairie, MN 56347 |
844-637-2938
LONG PRAIRIE
PLUMBING & HEATING 120 Lake Street, P.O. Box 66 Long Prairie, MN 56347 Phone: 320-732-2815
“A Degree Above the Competition”
STEVE SIEGLE After Hours Emergency: 320-732-6520 License PM062436
email: Marie@lpplumbing.us www.longprairieplumbing.com
Call Tim Zigan 320-761-1170 • Long Prairie, MN
Page 14 | Firemen’s Salute | Wednesday, September 29, 2021 “Customer Service Is Our Priority.”
ECKER FEED SERVICE 250 Main Street | New Munich, MN
Freeport • New Munich • Melrose • Greenwald
www.freeportstatebank.com www.freep
320-837-5249 320-837-5800
Custom Slaughter of Beef & Pork, Venison processing available ! 501 Main Street • New Munich
320-837-5214 • 320-256-4436
NEW MUNICH Fire Department
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The New Munich Fire Department members are Karen Timp (front, from left; Assistant Fire Chief Dan Schwieters, Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Ritter; (back, from left) Fire Chief Allen Fiedler, Jeron VanDrehle, Matt Heinen, Rick Schwieters. Not pictured are Nichole LeClaire, Tom Newman, Mike Sand, Dustin Leukam, Bryan Brickweg, Cathy Schwieters, Justin Boecker.
Returning home after a fire CUSTOM MANURE APPLICATION
R-WAY PUMPING Liquid Waste Collection & Disposal
201 First Ave E New Munich, MN
Thank you for your dedication!
320-837-5444
Recognize the need to be patient. When a home is on fire, firefighters may take certain actions to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. For example, holes might be drilled in the walls of homes to make sure there are no hidden flames. In addition, holes may be cut in the roof to let out heat and smoke. Such
actions can save lives and even homes, but the resulting cleanup can be timeconsuming. When returning home for the first time after a fire, men and women must recognize the need to remain patient as they formulate and execute a plan to clean up their homes.
PEP’S PORK New Munich 320-837-5288
Sauk Centre 320-352-2841
Long Prairie 320-732-6452
WWW.WORMSREADYMIX.COM
(320) 987-3368
632 Main Street, New Munich, MN 56356
320-837-5100
29769 325th Ave. Melrose, MN To see a list of who carries Pep’s Pork visit WWW.PE PS PORK .COM
Page 18 | Firemen’s Salute | Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Thank You! For all you do to keep our communities safe! - Paul & Stephanie Fiedler 13209 100th Ave. •
Pope County Co-Op in Villard
“Where the Customer is Company”
1-800-632-4220 • 1-320-554-2211
600 Washington Ave • Villard, MN 56385
Villard, MN • 320-352-3894
Glenwood (320) 634-5111 Villard (320) 554-3021 Alexandria (320) 763-0200
We Care!
VILLARD Fire Department
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Villard Fire Department members are 1st Assistant Chief Randy Rost (front, from left Lynn Peterson, William Malecha, Steven Koppen, Cody Gulbranson, Chris Bryce, Bernie Bryce, David Tauber Jr., Matt Douvier, Kyle Reents, Fire Chief Patrick Pfeninger, Jonathan Malecha; (back, from left) Joe Walker, Adam Bryce, Devon Gahlon, Kyle Magnuson, Philip Jensen, Tim Jenks, Brady Gerdes, James Walker, Brent Werven, 2nd Assistant Chief Tom Pfeninger, Chad Gerdes, Ryan Gerdes. Not pictured is Jeff Piekarski.
Pfeninger
Trucking
Villard, MN 320-554-2411
• Glenwood • Villard • Starbuck
• Elbow Lake • Wendell eaglebankmn.com
LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED
JOE WALKER
16666 130th Ave Villard, MN 56385 Home (320) 554-7118 Cell (320) 815-9723
Boys y Construction
Lic. #20470506
P.O.Box 134 • Villard, MN 56385 HEATING & SEWER SERVICE 320.554.6601 • 320.766.0341
FIREFIGHTERS
New Construction • Remodeling • Roofing ~ Matthew Douvier & Randy Rost ~
Massman Automation Designs, LLC PO Box 84, Villard, MN 56385 “In Memory of Matt Chan”
Lic. #61280-PM
Walker Plumbing
Thank you
Villard Implement Tank’s Appliance 671 Lincoln Ave • Villard, MN
320-554-3101
Gierke Farms, LLC 114 Washington Street Westport, MN 56385
320.554.2243
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 | Firemen’s Salute | Page 19
Training
from page 17
experiences so when an emergency does happen, instincts kick in. “We do this so we can be safe and go home to our families,” Senst said. In addition to its more expected vehicles, the department has a four-wheeler with tracks that can go over snow. It also has a jet ski and wet suits for water and ice rescues. PHOTOS SUBMITTED The firefighters Sauk Centre Fire Department members go over what went well and what areas they aren’t necessarily ascould improve upon with their extrication drill. signed tasks when it comes to responding to an event, but the team knows one another and when they get on site, they know which of their colleagues have specialty expertise in various areas. The department also does mutual aid with surrounding departments; they can call for back-up help or they can assist other local departments when they have a need. In addition to the actual trainings Senst plans, many members of the department have professional jobs that Firefighters Adam Moritz (from left), Jamie Kleinschmidt and Jose Diaz use the contribute to their work department’s jet ski during a water rescue drill. as a firefighter. Senst, for instance, is a lineman for work day jobs as plumb- useful to the department. ment,” Senst said. “We Stearns Electric Com- ers, carpenters and elec“We have a good, want to help people out pany. The department tricians, giving them well-rounded group of in their time of need.” also has firefighters who extra knowledge that is expertise in our depart-
FACE RISK HEAD ON INSURANCE SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE & BUSINESS Schedule a Complimentary Coverage Review Today Albany, MN | Melrose, MN (800) 247-7016 | NORTHRISKPARTNERS.COM
Jose Diaz, Chris Blank and Jeff Peters work through an extrication drill.
We don’t wish to alarm you...but we will. Our smart security systems protect your loved ones and home from fire, carbon monoxide, intruders, and other threats.
888.264.6380|heartlandss.com
SECURITY • AUTOMATION VIDEO • MEDICAL ALERTS
