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Jewell Fire & Rescue Squad members were present to watch “their girl,” Hollie Frerichs get married to Adam St. Pierre on Sept. 23. They had provided Hollie with emergency medical care after the Sept. 27, 2002, accident that claimed the life of Lisa Oetken and also injured Ashley Caskey, both of Akron. From left: Squad members Konni VanLangen, Doug VanLangen, wedding couple Adam and Hollie (Frerichs) St. Pierre, and squad members Kathy Jewell, Kendall Jewell and Don Stangeland.

Watching their 'little girl' wed

By Julie Ann Madden

Four years ago, three Akron women were involved in a car accident near Jewell. The Jewell and Ellsworth Fire and Rescue Squads responded to the accident. They provided emergency medical care to college students Ashley Caskey, Hollie Frerichs and Lisa Oetken who had been on their way to an Iowa State football game when their van was broadsided by a driver fleeing from police. “On that particular night although they weren't really our daughters, those were our girls that night because their moms weren't there,” said Jewell rescue squad member Kathy Jewell. “All of us who were parents kind of took them under our wing and cared for them the best we could.” “Unfortunately we couldn't save Lisa,” said Jewell, adding even though they couldn't, the three squad members who sat by Lisa had lost children of their own. “They wouldn't leave her,” said Jewell. “They stayed in the back of the ambulance and sat with her.” A few days later when they learned that Hollie and Ashley had been taken to a Des Moines hospital, some of the squad headed for Des Moines. “Something about them just kind of stuck with us,” said Jewell. The squad members didn't know any of the girls' families but they just needed to see the girls again. You never know how the families will react, said Jewell, explaining if the family will be glad that you were there to save their loved one or angry that you didn't do enough. “(Hollie's mother,) Sharon Frerichs ran across the waiting room and gave me a big hug,” said Jewell. “It was the most rewarding experience ever, and ever since then we've been in contact with them and watched Hollie's progress.” “It only takes one accident like this and the appreciation we've been shown to make it all worthwhile,” said Jewell. Six of the squad came to a benefit fund-raiser for Hollie a couple months later. “It's one of those that just stuck with us,” said Jewell, as squad members were preparing to come to Hollie's wedding on Sept. 23. “It's not very often you get a situation that you get to follow up with people,” said Jewell. “Once you take them to the hospital, oftentimes you don't know what happens to them.” “We certainly don't have relationships like this with everybody,” she said, adding they respond to about 150 rescue calls annually. The squad members still communicate via email on a weekly basis with the Frerichs family. They also have visited Lisa's mother and step-father, Rhonda and Lynn Johnson of Akron, S.D. Although they hadn't had as much contact with the Caskey family, the squad members were also looking forward to seeing Ashley, who was a bridesmaid, and possibly seeing members of Lisa's family. “We talk about these girls all the time,” said Jewell, adding that the squad maintains the accident site making sure items left there are cared for. “We were just thrilled to be invited (to Hollie's wedding) and to be a part of it,” said Jewell. “There was no question that we'd be there.” “We saw her at her absolute worst,” she said, “and it's not oftentimes when somebody's in the situation that you get to see them in their best, which is what it'll probably be for Hollie.” It'll be kind of a parent's pride as we watch her walk down the aisle, added Jewell. “I can't emphasize enough the pride we have for Hollie. We all had her in our hands for a few minutes. She needed moms and dads and we were there as anybody would be there for ours.” What a tragic way to become friends but this is lifelong,” said Jewell. “It's amazing that this has happened,” said Hollie. “They're still connected, still care about us. It's unbelievable.” “They are truly amazing people,” said Hollie. “It takes a lot for people to go and save people and continue to stay in their lives.” “Words can't describe how much that means to my family and the other girls,” said Hollie. “It's a tragic situation that turned into more,” said Hollie's mother, Sharon. “They could have been done with Hollie that night but they weren't.” “(The squad members) have their personal lives to live right now but they're willing to keep in contact,” she said. “I just think it's such a unique thing that happened. It just makes you speechless.” Although the Akron and Westfield communities feel these squad members are heroes, Jewell said it's not so. “We're just some kids from a small town in Iowa that did what we had to do that night,” said Jewell, adding that they responded to the call in jeans and T-shirts. Some had left a ball game. “While this attention is very flattering, it's very unnecessary.” “We just did what we were supposed to do,” she said. “We did just what anyone else would have done in the same situation. We'll do it again next time.” “Those were our girls that night though their parents were on their way,” said Jewell as she began to cry. “They weren't without love while they were there.” “We wouldn't change these friendships for nothing,” she added.