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School dedicates memorial to late playground monitor [UPDATED]
Published 9:12am Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Updated 11:14am Tuesday, November 13, 2012One of Daniel Anderson’s favorite things as a playground monitor was watching over kids at Cleveland Elementary School.
The 25-year-old Fergus Falls man died last May after jumping off Schmidt’s Bridge on County Highway 3, a local swimming spot.
Daniel’s family asked Cleveland Elementary if they could set up a special area in tribute to him.
“When the family approached us, we thought it would be nice to have something permanent installed,” said Karma Wagner, secretary at Cleveland Elementary. “Rather than replacing equipment, two benches and a tree were purchased.”
The family provided funds for the tribute from Daniel’s funeral memorials. North Country Lawn installed the benches and tree this week next to the playground, and three family members paid a visit to the site on Thursday. Wiping away a tear, Dan’s sister Deb recalled what a good sense of humor her brother had.
“Dan would have liked this,” said Karen Anderson, Dan’s mother.
“Now he can watch over the kids,” said Jeff Anderson, Dan’s father.
Memorial plaques will be installed on the benches at a later date.
