First responders from over 20 agencies across the state followed the Wessington Springs Volunteer Fire Department (WSVFD) in a processional after WSVFD Assistant Fire Chief Michial Brodkorb’s funeral on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Brodkorb and his partner Tiffany Knipfer were the victims of a tragic house fire in Wessington Springs on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
His ashes were carried from the memorial service held at the Wessington Springs Elementary School gymnasium to the American Legion Post #14 where a meal and fellowship were held.
Driving engine 2 was WSVFD Chief Eric Schroeder, with Brodkorb’s immediate family riding as passengers.
The procession included first responders from: Wessington Springs FD, Jerauld County Sheriff’s Office, Jerauld County Ambulance, Alpena FD, Gann Valley FD, Miller FD, South Hand County FD, Wolsey FD, Kimball FD, Mitchell FD, Hand County Emergency Management, North Haines FD, Alexandria FD, De Smet FD, Wessington FD, Letcher FD, Bruce FD, Artesian FD, Gary FD, Florence FD, Colton FD, White Lake FD, Mt. Vernon FD.
As of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, officials had not yet released the official cause of the fire.