Honoring a distinguished fire fighter (VIDEO)

A three-generation photo was published on page one of the June 16 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper that featured retired Brooten fire fighter Loren Solbreken. He was holding his retirement plaque at a party held in the KaDe Shack on June 4 in honor of his 50-plus year fire department career that concluded in 2021. Also with him in the photo were grandson Jacob Solbreken and Loren's sons, Daran and Donovan.

Loren Solbreken served the community of Brooten with a deep, tireless level of dedication as a fire fighter who faithfully answered the call for over 50 years. He inspired his grandson, Jacob, to join the Brooten Fire Department and continue the tradition set by his father (Daran).

Solbreken is the son of the late Lawrence and Eleanor (Olson) Solbreken. He is a 1958 graduate of Brooten high school, and he attended St. Cloud State University before being drafted and spending two years in the U.S. Army. He then worked with a Cold Spring construction company before going into business on his own as a carpenter. In 1968, Solbreken married Donna Lewis, a 1967 Brooten graduate. The Solbrekens opened D and L Clothing Store in Brooten in 1977. They raised two boys: Daran, a 1987 Brooten graduate, and Donovan, a 1991 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa graduate.

A video clip from the party is shown below.