Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department holds annual ‘Mary’s Dinner’ awards ceremony

TOMAHAWK – The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department recently held its annual awards ceremony, where members and volunteers were recognized for their service.

Each year, the department holds “Mary’s Dinner,” named after Mary Muckerheide, a medical first responder on the department from 1993 until her passing in 2002. Muckerheide left an endowment fund to be used for an annual banquet for member socialization and recognition.

This year’s dinner was held at the Loop Hole Bar in Tomahawk on Sunday, April 27.

Individuals nominated for 2024 Member of the Year were Wayne Kinnally, Russell Berg and Phil Puestow. Department members voted in March, and it was announced during the ceremony that Berg received the honor.

The department also gave out its Booster Award, which goes to a non-department member who stepped up the help the department. Members this year selected Jackie and Brian Luttropp, owners of The Loop Hole Bar, for their support and for including the department in a variety of community events throughout 2024.

Two retirees – Paul Scheffler, with 27 years of service, and Tom Gohre, with 13 years – were honored during the dinner.

The department revived its Hoser Award this year, which the department said in a Facebook post is “respectfully awarded to a member that had some kind of ‘oopsie’ learning experience worthy of mention.”

“Without going into details, Dakota ‘Bumper Bender’ Jelinek won the award this year,” the department stated. “The plaque reads, ‘The recipients of this yearly award have provided some memorable moments that we would rather not remember.’”

The department said attendees enjoyed a video, put together by Jelinek, highlighting trainings, calls and events from last year.

“Many thanks to Jackie and Brian, along with the staff at The Loop Hole, for an amazing dinner and wonderful evening,” the department stated. “We also want to thank local businesses that donated door prizes for the dinner: The Windmill Ice Cream Shoppe, Kwik Trip (Tomahawk), Trig’s Tomahawk, Kracker Barrel and Ingman's Service LLC. We appreciate your support of our department and our members.”

The department noted that it currently has roster spots available. To learn more, contact the department by visiting www.facebook.com/Nokomisvolfiredept/; or by calling Chief Joe Jelinek at 715-612-0447 or Beth Lekfield at 715-453-1381.