Goodhue Mourns Beloved Firefighter Killed In Wagon Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota town is mourning the loss of a longtime firefighter and school board member.

Mike Kehren died in an accident on the Fourth of July.

It happened in Wanamingo after the Firefighters Relief Association's 44th Benefit Dance just before 2 a.m. Monday.

Authorities say Kehren was riding with friends on two hay wagons, being used to transport people after the dance, when he fell between them and was run over by the second wagon.

"To me this is one of the biggest losses Goodhue has ever had because Mikey was in everything," said Paula Wagner, a friend. "Everybody is going to feel that loss."

Kehren was on the Goodhue School Board for 11 years and was also a member of the Lions Club. He would often dress up for community events.

"It was Dr. Seuss' birthday, and so it was Mike's turn to read to the students and he came in full 'Cat In The Hat' costume," said Tris Danielson, Goodhue School Board chair.

It was that same humor and leadership that marked his time as the town fire chief. He had been with the department since 1993.

"He was just a great all-around guy," said Goodhue Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Luhman. "He put everybody first."

While the Goodhue native gave back in many ways to the community, he always did it with a smile.

"Mikey lived life like nobody else," Wagner said. "He didn't care what other people thought. He just wanted to make everybody laugh, everybody happy and he did that."

Kehren leaves behind a girlfriend and three sons, one of whom is also a firefighter in Goodhue.