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Injured Claremont Firefighter - The Gale Spatenka fund



Gale Spatenka is a firefighter from Claremont Minnesota who was critically injured on June 6th, 2006 fighting a fire at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Havana Township in rural Steele County. Several area fire departments responded to this fire. The fire was reported at 2:18 a.m. by a neighbor after the church was struck by lighting. When firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof of the church. Many firefighters were members of the church which was 141 years old and had a sentimental value to the firefighters and the community. Gale was injured when a wall collapsed, crushing him under the wall in several inches of water. Firefighters immediately responded to the Mayday and were able to quickly rescue Gale but he received several serious injuries. He was transported by air ambulance to the Regional Trauma Center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Gale and his wife Sue have two children and live in Claremont. He is self employed and will not be able to work which will cause an undue hardship for him and his family. Gale’s road to recovery will be a long and difficult process. He has undergone extensive surgery already and will need additional surgeries for his injuries.
Area fire departments are working now to help Gale and his family through these difficult times. At the hospital Gale was told not to worry because the word would be put out in the state to all firefighters and that we would take care of him and his family. Unable to talk he lifted his good arm and gave a thumbs up. Gale was willing to risk his life to help others and now it is time for us to come through to help one of our own in any way we can.


Donations would be greatly appreciated:
“Gale Spatenka fund”
deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank.


Cards & Flowers may be sent to:
Saint Mary’s Hospital
Gale Spatenka
1216 Second Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905


Area fire departments are planning to hold a large fundraising event
soon for Gale and his family.


For more information contact
Owatonna Fire Department - Mike Johnson
107 W. Main Street
Owatonna MN 55060
507-444-2454