Category Archives: News

Fire Chief Retires from ZFFD

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The City of Zumbro Falls recognizes Bruce Heitmann, Fire Chief, for 43 years of dedication and service to our Community.

Bruce Heitmann has retired from the Zumbro Falls Fire Department ending over 43 years of true dedication, sacrifice & service on his part. Always there to help when needed, Bruce has served as Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chief, a staple in the Zumbro Falls Fire department’s leadership, culture and all emergency scenes. His knowledge, professionalism, and experience has directly saved many lives!
Thank you for everything you have done and passed on to make ZFFD strong and for keeping our communities safe!

We wish you the best of everything as you retire, enjoy some much deserved R & R.
You will be missed Chief!

Bruce shared the following –
Today, December 31, 2021, is my last day responding to calls. Beginning at midnight tonight comes to an end of 43 years in the fire service. My mind tells me I am still 21 but my body tells me enough is enough, this has been quite a ride. I have worked and met with a lot of great firefighters a share many memories “Thank you” everyone.
This too is worth sharing, I don’t think there is a Fire Department out there that could top this one last Saturday. The Zumbro Falls Fire Department had a Retirement Party Open House to celebrate my retirement of 43 years in the fire service. Some of you might not know that I had the pleasure of delivering two babies in my career; one alongside of the road, a baby girl, and the other was in a snow storm. The ambulance was delayed getting to the address, a baby boy. This was 26 years ago and after the ambulance took them I never heard from them again. The guys on the department were able to track both of them down. To my surprise they walked in to my retirement party! I don’t care who you are, it brought tears to my eyes. To all the people who came “Thank You” and to the ZFFD “you knocked it out of the park!” What a Retirement Party, I challenge any department to top that, Lol.
Bruce Heitmann

The Zumbro Parkway Bridge

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The Zumbro Parkway Bridge, #3219, Preservation has been completed.

The project was started in April 2020 and completed in July 2020. In August 2014, the Minnesota Department of Transportation completed the Local Historic Bridge Report Executive Summary Bridge Number: 3219. Built in 1937, the bridge is located immediately south of Zumbro Falls; along County road 68 in a rural area of Wabasha County.

The Zumbro Parkway Bridge is significant as a representative example of a multi plate arch bridge featuring stone headwalls, wing walls, and railings. Due to the historic nature, any work on Bridge 3219 should proceed according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties (Standards) [36 CFR part 67] and The Secretary’s Standards with Regard to Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement Situations, as adapted by the Virginia Transportation Research Council (Guidelines). To learn more about the bridge history and the Minnesota Department of Transportation Historic Bridge Report visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/historicbridges/bridge/3219/bridge-report.pdf

Take a scenic drive to Zumbro Falls and visit the bridge location, we can now enjoy a piece of history for many more years to come.

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Bridge Restoration Completed

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Bridge restoration is completed on County Road 68, Zumbro Falls, Mn. The project began in April and was completed this past week, July 2020. County Road 68 is open for traffic once again. Enjoy a ride to check it out.

Bridge Restoration

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Bridge Restoration continues on County Road 68 in Zumbro Falls. The project began in April and will be completed in July, weather permitting. Planning began in 2014. County Road 68 is closed until project completion.

There’s A Big Void in Zumbro Falls

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There’s A Big Void in Zumbro Falls
A Tribute to Dan Preble
By Dori Klein

The city of Zumbro Falls was shocked the week of October 7 with the sudden death of a pillar of the community, Dan Preble. Disbelief ran rampant and there were no words that could be found to describe the deep sense of loss that was being felt.

Dan was friendly, gregarious and had a bigger than life persona. He seemed to enjoy life and people in turn seemed to enjoy his company. According to his obituary he liked to fish, snowmobile and go on ranger rides. He was friendly and seemed to be ready to have a good time at a moment’s notice.

But he had a serious side to him too. He was the Chief of the Zumbro Falls Fire Department and he tackled his job with integrity and professionalism. He would readily know the numbers and the answers to the questions at the annual Fire Department meeting that was held with the townships. And if, by some slight chance he didn’t know the answer he sought out someone who did. He had a “take charge” attitude, but he was also able to look at different options, give others a chance or give them credit for a job well done. It was evident that members of the fire department had complete and utmost respect for him.

As a reporter for the Mazeppa-Zumbro Falls Messenger he was often the “go to” guy that I called for information about the fire department. He was a great resource. He returned my calls promptly, provided me with the information I needed and was also helpful in explaining things I didn’t understand. And though I called him many times, there are three things that he did and/or said that stand out to me.

One was his leadership during the 2010 flood. With him in charge, the fire department took on the unsurmountable task of trying to save many of the buildings as the flood waters rose, and when that proved futile, of getting people to safety. All the while, I might add, while his own home was flooding.

The second memory that stands out for me is when the fire department took part in a fundraising event for former fireman, Scott Deobald. At that time Deobald was going through cancer treatments and had lost all of his hair. Several firefighters raised about $4,000 and had their heads shaved in front of Scooter’s Bar. Last in line was Dan. Once his hair was shaved the chants began, “shave the mustache.” He was pretty reluctant to let his “signature” mustache go, but all of a sudden he seized the moment and raised another $200 before having it shaved off. Yup, he was always game to helping out his comrades whenever he could.

According to assistant fire chief, Bruce Heitmann, Dan had been a fireman for over 30 years and he had been chief for the last eight.

The third memory I have of him also relates to the flood. I interviewed him and his wife Kelly as they reflected on the one year anniversary of the flood. During the interview Dan stated that he felt as if he had “let his family down” during the flood. As a result, they made the decision to demolish their home and move up on top of the hill in Zumbro Falls. For him, he said, it was a way to “keep Kelly safe.” From his comment it was evident to me that he truly was a family-first man.

Yes, I think we can all agree that the passing of Dan Preble has left a void – not only for his family, but for the Zumbro Falls Fire Department and the entire community of Zumbro Falls. Sincere sympathy is extended to Kelly and his family, to members of the Zumbro Falls Fire Department, and to the many friends he leaves behind.

Rest in Peace Dan Preble. You’ve earned it.

The Salsa Guy

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Zumbro Falls welcomes THE SALSA GUY, a new business in the City. It is located at 410, Hwy 60 in Zumbro Falls.

Grand Opening will be October 10-13th, hours – Thursday & Friday 1:00-7:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm.

Normal hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 10:00am-2:00pm. Daryl Boettcher 507-398-3540.

To learn more about the Business visit https://www.facebook.com/The-Salsa-Guy-364493050345603/

The Salsa Guy

Zumbro Valley Food Shelf

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The Zumbro Valley Food Shelf will officially open on Tuesday, January 15th at 11:00am. This is located at South Troy Wesleyan Church, 56817 Hwy 63, Zumbro Falls, MN.

The hours will be Tuesdays 11:00am – 5:00pm and Thursdays 11:00am – 6:00pm.

Donations and volunteers are greatly appreciated. For more information contact Pastor Colleen Hoeft at 507-259-1442 or choeft52@gmail.com