Our condolences to the Schutte family and the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department of Nebraska. FireFighter Bernie Schutte,
69, a 42 year veteran of the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department, died Wednesday afternoon March 20, 2002. Bernie was
cutting fire breaks as a prairie fire when he collapsed. He was transported to the Community Hospital of McCook where he
was pronounced dead.
Bernie was among 100 or so firefighters from 6 departments called to extinguish a 2 mile wide and 3 mile long 4,500
acre grass fire south of Hamlet. Bernie had been a former fire chief. He was also president of the Palisade Rural Fire
District board of directors and belonged to state firefighters' organizations. He was also a former mayor of Palisade
and was on the village board for 35 years.
Our brother Bernie is survived by his wife, DeAnna, son and daughter, and six grandchildren. Funeral services for
Bernie will be held on Saturday March 23, 2002 11AM at the school in Palisade. Burial will be in the Palisade Cemetery.
