Statue honors fallen heroes

NEW BREMEN - A statue commemorating local firefighters now graces the south end of Lock One Park in downtown New Bremen.

The life-sized replica honors the efforts of New Bremen firefighters and emergency personnel, past, present and future. Commissioned by the family of fallen firefighter Ken Jutte, the 6-foot statue weighs more than 700 pounds.

Oct. 1, 2003, stands as one of the darkest days in New Bremen history. Responding to a mutual-aid call from neighboring New Knoxville, fire chief Bob Kuck and his firefighters fought a silo fire at Hoge Lumber Co. They were striving to avoid an explosion when one occurred.

While attempting to douse the silo from above, Jutte was on top of the concrete structure and fellow firefighter John Garman was in the aerial bucket truck at roof level when the blast occurred. Both lost their lives that day when the roof of the 70-foot silo exploded, sending concrete and debris through the air for nearly 100 yards.

Garman, who was 40 at the time, was a 10-year member of the volunteer department.

Jutte, who was 44, was survived by his wife, Marty, and three children, and had dedicated more than 18 years to the local squad. A third member, Scott Albers, who was with Jutte at the time, survived the accident, suffering injuries to to his back, leg and arm.

The all-volunteer department, which usually has about 30 members, has been in existence for more than 100 years. In 1892, the department suffered its first loss as firefighter Henry J. Hartwig responded to a fire in Lock Two, a mile north of New Bremen. According to reports from the local newspaper at that time, Hartwig was killed as a powder keg exploded in the Garmhausen store, one of five buildings destroyed in that blaze. Pictures of all three men are prominently displayed in the fire department's quarters.

The bronze statue was created by Brodin Studios in Kimball, Minnesota.

"The company specializes in statues and memorials for police, fire/rescue and the military," owner Nick Christensen, a former police officer, said. Each item the company creates uses a unique method of hot bronze casting, with an extremely close attention to the level of detail to produce a truly exclusive product each and every time, he said.

Christensen estimated the nearly 30-step process used to create the New Bremen memorial took more than 1,000 man-hours from start to finish.

The plaque at the base of the statue states, "A tribute to all past, present and future volunteers and emergency personnel in recognition of the sacrifices they make in service to their communities. Donated by the family of Kenneth Jutte, honoring the sacrifice that he and John Garman made on October 1, 2003."

Photo album:
A photo album of the installation is available.