Jacob Paul Waldner and William George Waldner - Firefighters - South Dakota

Jacob Paul Waldner

Volunteer Firefighters Jacob Paul Waldner, age 20 and William George Waldner, age 22, died on September 15, 2011, near Britton, South Dakota. 

Both young men were members of the Sunset Hutterite Colony. The men were cousins.

The men were fighting a large coal bin fire and were on top of the structure dousing the flames in the bin below when an explosion occurred and the blast blew off the roof and the south wall of the building.

Father, place Jacob and William
on the stairway to Heaven.

The blast threw the firefighters 75 feet down to the ground and debris from the roof landed on top of one of the men while the other was pinned beneath the concrete wall that collapsed.

William George Waldner

Jacob Paul Waldner is the son of Jack and Judy Waldner. He was raised and received his education at the Sunset Colony. 

Family members describe him as an ambitious worker who dedicated his life to serving the community as the assistant electrician. 

William George Waldner is the son of Bill and Miriam Waldner. He was raised and educated at the Sunset Colony.

Family members describe him as a friendly, outgoing person, who enjoyed working for the community. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Jacob Paul Waldner and William George Waldner are in heaven. Let us pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen.