Global Response to Epworth Tradegy
Tragedy hit the close-knit community of Epworth, Iowa on Saturday afternoon when four teenage boys, all 14 years old, were killed by a pick-up truck who failed to stop at a stop sign while driving in their John Deere gator at an Epworth intersection. Sean Kenneally, Mitchell Kluesner, Nicholas Kramer and Bryce Wilert were all about to embark as freshmen at Western Dubuque High School.
News of their untimely deaths have not only been reported by local news sources, but international ones as well. The Daily Mail, an online news website in the United Kingdom have even been tracking this story. Social media has also played a major role in these last few days as a way for people to show their support for the families and friends affected by this tragedy. Whether area residents are alums of Western Dubuque High or School or not, you can find majority of their Facebook profile pictures or statuses somehow demonstrate support for Bobcat Country.
ScanDBQ.com, a Dubuque-based news website posted this on their Facebook page earlier today. “As many of you probably noticed, the ScanDBQ profile picture has been changed to the Western Dubuue Bobcats- the same school the 4 teens that lost their lives Saturday were to attend in just a few weeks. This was not our idea, but it’s a simple way with just a few clicks of a mouse to show that no matter if we are a Ram, Eagle, Mustang, or something else, it has affected us in some way either directly or indirectly and we as an online community will be here to support those who need it in this difficult time. There are many questions regarding the incident that many people have and in the coming days head, some will be answered, some will never be. Emotions will run wild as people try to comprehend why such a tragedy was allowed to happen. Discussions will take place with anger and rage against those involved. We should not forgot that we are all human and all make mistakes that lead to outcomes which we all must live with the rest of our lives. Let us use this time to reflect on what’s most important to us in our lives, to give support to those who need it, and spend some time with our own loves. Life is unpredictable.”
For Beckman Catholic alums, to show your support for the Western Dubuque Community, please down load the “Bobcat Strong” picture below and post on your Facebook profile.
THonline.com posted information on all four boy’s funeral services.
Funeral arrangements
Services for Mitchell Kluesner, 14, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa. Friends and relatives of Mitchell may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Reiff Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville for Nicholas J. Kramer, 14, of Dyersville. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.
Services for Bryce R. Wilwert, 14, of Placid, Iowa, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Placid. Burial will be held in St. John’s Cemetery in Placid. Friends and relatives of Bryce may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Reiff Funeral Home, Epworth.
A wake service will held at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Services for Sean Kenneally, 14, of Peosta, Iowa, will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Peosta (New Melleray). Burial will be held in Holy Family Cemetery in Peosta. Friends and relatives may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, where a wake service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 11 a.m. Thursday at the Funeral Home.
A memorial fund has been established in all four boys’ names. Donations can be made at any American Trust & Savings Bank branch. Money donated will be equally divided among the four families.