Warrens, WI, Firefighter Suffers Fatal Stroke Returning from Vehicle Crash
A Warrens firefighter who died in February died from an injury she suffered on-duty, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) confirmed Wednesday.
Lori A. Boelkes, 56, drove Warrens Area Fire District Tanker 1 to an accident scene on Feb. 14.
As she was returning home from the call, she fell ill and her husband took her to a Tomah hospital, the USFA shared in release.
Doctors said Boelkes suffered had a stroke. Firefighter Boelkes was transferred 60 miles away to Marshfield Medical Center for treatment.
Boelkes passed away on Feb. 27.
Prior to joining the Warrens Area Fire District, where she volunteered for 11 years, she was a firefighter in New Auburn, according to her obituary.
Boelkes was a veterinary assistant and auto detailer.
“I worked with her for her full ten years on our department, and she was always just a ray of sunshine and just her smile, and she was very encouraging so if you were ever doubting yourself she was there to give you that boost you needed," Auburn firefighter Krystalyn told WEAU.com.
A celebration of life was held March 15.
Boelkes leaves behind her husband, Ric, four children and many grandchildren.
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Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.
