News

The Lake Mills Moravian Church is holding a youth event for all Moravian youth, grades 4-12. We will be going ice fishing after breakfast on Saturday, February 9th until Noon. For our youth in grades 7-12, there will be a overnight at the Lake Mills Moravian Church on Friday, February 8th starting at 7:00 pm. Breakfast will start at 7:30 am on Saturday, which all youth members (grades 4-12) and any volunteers are welcome to join in.

We are in need of volunteers to provided ice fishing equipment and to help out on the ice. Youth ages 15 and under do NOT need a fishing license, however youth 16+ must have a fishing license.

If you are interested in joining us for a good time out on the ice, please RSVP to Pastor Dave Sobek by Friday, February 1, 2019. You may either email him at dave.lmmc@gmail.com or text him at 920-728-0948.

The Lake Mills Fire Department has confirmed Captain Chris Truman was struck and killed on New Year’s Eve while helping a motorist after a crash on the Beltline Highway in Monona. He was a first responder and hero to the end.

Truman served on the Lake Mills Fire Department for 13 years and before that served on the Cambridge Fire Department.

Captain Mark Bentheimer of the Lake Mills Fire Department said what happened shows the kind of person Truman was. “No matter who needed the help he was always the first one to step forward and provide that assistance. Whether it was a formal response out of the station here or as it was a few days ago on the side of the road.”

Truman provided many firefighters with mentorship and was a friend to everyone on the department and around town.

Police Chief Mick Selck has been friends with Truman since he moved to town. He worked as a maintenance person for the City of Lake Mills and was in the same office as Selck.

“The fact that he died helping someone means a lot to me because it exemplifies who he was and what he was about. He was a good man,” Selck said.

Rick Heinz, former fire chief said Truman was always helping. “He always cared about how everyone felt and how they were doing. He was more than a fireman. He was a great person.”

Acting Fire Chief Todd Yandre said Truman was a compassionate fireman. “He was the last person on the truck. He wouldn’t leave until that person felt comfortable and safe.”

Dave Sobek, Chaplin for the department said Truman didn’t do anything halfway. “If he was going to do it, he went all in. It’s like someone let the air out of us. We just feel empty, but we will go on.” Sobek said he will be involved with Truman’s funeral services.

On Tuesday night, the Lake Mills Fire Department posted the following note from the family of the woman who Truman stopped to help on the Beltline,

“I know that all of you are grieving. I don’t know if this will help but your captain saved my daughter’s life last night. My daughter had lost control of the car and skidded. She got out of her car and was afraid and overwhelmed. He saw her and pulled behind her with his lights on. He came out of his car and told her to get back into her car. He pulled the bumper that was hanging off and then went to her window and told her he would follow her off the Beltline to safety. It was at this point that the driver hit him. My heart is in so much pain for all of you. He is my hero. Please let his wife/family know he is forever our angel. I’m just so very sorry.”

Truman served in the military and was an avid bass fisherman and is being remembered all across Lake Mills from former employer Watson Ace Hardware to his family and friends in the angling world.

Truman’s significant other Amber Turfle thanked well-wishers on her Facebook page Tuesday saying, “He died doing what he loved, helping others. He always stopped to help no matter what or where we were going,” she wrote. Truman also leaves behind three young adult step-children.

The Lake Mills Fire Department plans to honor Truman at their upcoming spaghetti dinner.

The funeral for fire Capt. Chris Truman will be held this weekend, January 6th.

Visitation will be at Lake Mills High School from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, January 5. At 5 p.m., there will be an Emergency Services Fly-By. 

On Sunday, January 6th, visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. at Lake Mills High School. The service will start at 3 p.m.

Sunday School will resume on January 6
with a welcome back breakfast beginning at 8:45
a.m. and concluding at 9:30 a.m. Our breakfast
is open to the entire church family, so we hope
to see you there as we kick off the second half
of our Sunday School year!

We will meet at church at 8:15 AM to drive to Madison (Ultrazone) for unlimited games from 9:00-11:00. Lunch plans for after tag are in the works so Kristen will update those who RSVP. Please let her know as soon as possible, if you are planning to attend and if you are bringing any guests. It’s going to be an awesome day, we hope you can make it!