Retiring firefighters honored for service

The Morris Fire Department honored three retiring firefighters during a party in March at the Morris Eagles club.

Jerry Lesmeister is retiring after 28 years of service, and Mike Schultz and Lynn Boots both will retire with 20 years of service.

Current firemen and their wives, retired firemen and their wives, friends and family of the retirees and the Morris Mayor Sheldon Giese and his wife Kim were on hand to honor the retiring firefighters.

The program followed a meal served by the Eagles Club, led by Lois Ness. The firefighters received their helmets signed by the department's firefighters. They also received a firemen's ring that is engraved with the years they each served.

The Morris Fire Relief Association presented the retirees with their retirement checks, and the three were named Honorary Members of the Morris Fire Department. Their photo will be placed on the meeting room wall in the Morris Fire Station. They are also life time members of the Minnesota State Fire Department Association.

Lesmeister held many positions with the fire department. through the years, serving most recently as Truck Engineer. "Most notable is his work as Fire Prevention Coordinator," Storck said. "The Fire Prevention program touched thousands of children under his leadership in the past years."

Schultz most recently served on the departments Ladder/Vent Team, in the past as Relief Association Treasurer and a Committee Leader for many years for the department's steak fry.

Boots most recently served on the departments Ladder/Vent Team, and he served as the Relief Associations Secretary for many years.