BISMARCK, N.D. – A public event was held in Watford City, Community Strong: Remembering the 2024 October Wildfires and Those Who Stood Together. Among the impacted landowners, community leaders, and first responders gathered for the event was the widow of Johannes Nicolaas van Eeden, traveling from South Africa to visit the place of her late husband’s last days. Edgar Coppersmith and van Eeden both tragically lost their lives due to impacts from the wildfires.
The Community Strong event featured a 30-minute video of interviews and stories from responders and impacted landowners remembering the October wildfires.
“The conditions were absolutely extreme,” explains State Forester Tom Claeys of the North Dakota Forest Service and member of Unified Command in the State Emergency Operations Center during the October disaster. “You’re talking high winds, smoke, dirt in the air – extraordinary – I can’t even envision a more dangerous scenario.”
After the video there was a panel of first responders and an impacted homeowner continuing to share their stories of response and recovery. The panel included impacted landowner Perry Ecker, Ryan Melin of the North Dakota Forest Service, and Watford City Fire Chief Dave Uhlich. Karolin Jappe, McKenzie County Emergency Manager, moderated the panel.
A letter was also read from the father of van Eeden, who was not able to attend.
“It’s an honour to write this letter from a cold Garden Route, South Africa. It feels after this terrible day like we are a part of North Dakota, and the North Dakota people.” The entire letter can be found below.
The Highway Patrol has maintained close contact with the greater van Eeden family since the event through the Crash Assistance Program, as well as the trooper who found van Eeden alive at the time. Sergeant Coby Hubble was awarded a distinguished service medal for his efforts to save van Eeden and others Oct. 5th.
Anke van Eeden (second from right) meeting Sergeant Coby Hubble (right) for the first time.
From left to right, the panel included impacted landowner Perry Ecker, Ryan Melin of the North Dakota Forest Service, and Watford City Fire Chief Dave Uhlich. Karolin Jappe, McKenzie County Emergency Manager, moderated the panel.
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LETTER FROM JOHAN VAN EEDEN AND GREATER FAMILY
Good evening, Mr. Kennedy
Honoured guests, Govender Armstrong, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for this opportunity to deal our experience and feelings as the Van Eeden family.
It’s an honour to write this letter from a cold Garden Route, South Africa. It feels after this terrible day like we are a part of North Dakota, and the North Dakota people.
Firstly, allow me to express our condolences with the Coppersmith family for their profound loss. Then to all the people effected in any way by this fire. We as a family are truly sorry that this had to happen to you.
We as a family truly believed Joh 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” If anybody feel responsible or think you did not do enough. Please Rember these words and now that you don’t have the power of life and death with in you. Only God does.
A bit about Nicolus. Nicolus was a son every parent prays for. Me and Rozanne had the privilege of calling him our son for 26 years of his live on earth. He was someone that lived his live to the fullness of his capability. He had a spirit of excellence in him. Nothing but his best was always wat he strived for.
We will probably remember him the most for the fact that he and a ball was inseparable. More specifically a rugby ball. As a young boy he lived for sport. He was a excellent athlete and rugby player. But everything he tried he was good in. He kept his mom busy with culture competitions (speeches) in primary school, chest, tennis, swimming, cricket and any other thing he could find to do.
He had the privilege of attending High School at Oakdale in Riversdale. This is an agricultural school with a Dairy herd, a herd of sheep and wheat and canola fields. Although he loved the farm Nicolus played rugby.
After school Nicolus went and played for one of the professional rugby teams juniors in South Africa. Where he made his mark in playing the finals of the u19 Curi cup the national competition. Unfortunately, they did not win.
After a knee injurie Nicolus stop playing rugby at professional level as Covid also stopped everything.
Nicolus met Anke and we could see from the start there was something special about these 2. Both were sporty and love sport ending up playing Netball together. They were loved by the community and everyone wanted them to play for their teams.
But now more about what we experience on and after the 5th October 2024. At 6;45 am on the 6 October in South Africa a received a phone call that no parent should receive in their life. This is probably one of the most unfair things of life, parents baring children.
When Rayan Wolla phoned me, I knew this was not good. It was the second year that Nicolus worked for him, and it was the first time I spoke to him. I could hear the devastation in his voice when he told me Nicolus passed away in the fire. Over the next few days and weeks, we had multiple conversations. Where it seemed that he could not do enough for us. Sir from my side I want to thank you! One for the opportunity you gave my son. Two for everything you did after the 5 October for Anke and Nieneke ( that is Nicolus daughter that was born on the 13th November). I will circle back to the Wolla family later.
Then Mr. Kennedy you came on the scene. Giving us feedback and information. You would never know how much an email from you meant The just checking in if we are okay. Thank you.
We then had the privilege of meeting Sgt. Coby Hubble. The angel that found Nicolus. It takes a remarkable man that puts his life in danger to go into life-threatening situations to help other people he doesn’t even know. As well as a family that support, allow, and encourage him to do this. The reward you received is remarkable and well deserve. Please know there is a family in South Africa that will always be indebted to you. You have a much bigger reward in our life’s.
Allow me to also to thank the people of North Dakota. Their is a few I would like to thank. This is how it unfolded for us. Rayan told me he was trying to help Anke financially. He and the bank manager of Tiago bank was trying to help her and started a fund for her. Apparently, some of the farmers started to support them.
Then businesses like Mega-A-Latte that came and joined. They collected donations. I finally found out the owner’s name. Meg thank you. As I reed once again your Facebook post of 9 October I see in the comments people like Carly Roach that donated. This community will not know how this act of selflessness touch owner hearts. Meg thank you.
Arnie’s Powersport that donated a bike for a raffle at Meg-A-Latte. Just to help a South African they don’t even now. He then went further and donated if I remember correctly a 4 wheeler in the Fire Relief Benefit arrange by Kelci Hanson. I would also like to thank each one whom donated to this action.
As I sit and go through your post on Facebook and see how the community are responding and just tried to help by doing what they can. I am sitting and writing this letter with tears running down my face in owner of what this community has done. Even when you have your own loss to deal with the immense compassion you have for other people is commendable. Especially for Nicolus, Anke and Nineke.
As Rayn said to me “ the money will not make up for Nicolus life but he hopes it gives Anke and us a little less to worry about” . Nicolus came to America to get a head start in South Africa to provide for his family. Some how you guys help so that he could accomplish his goal.
Rayan, Brittany and kids. Thank you. Nicolus said more than once to me that he enjoyed working for you. And that he would not go to another farmer. He respected you guys and enjoyed working with you. Even thou you had your own losses, and the farm was in disarray, when I phoned about his wallet and cell phones you left everything and went searching. On the Wednesday when I asked you about the coroner you and Jacques left the farm once again. Went to Williston to sort his identification. This was truly appreciated.
To each and every first responder to this fire. Thank you for your selfless acts. May God bless and keep you.
For me, Rozanne, Johan (brother) and Leone(sister). This was the most painful experience of our lives. We are a close nit family with Grandparents, uncles, ants, nieces and nephews. Some in Australia and New Zealand. Was rocked to our core with this fire.
But know that just like you. We have risen out of the assess and by the Grace of our saviour Jesus Christ we will make a difference in other peoples lives. What was meant to destroying us will be the foundation we build to help others.
North Dakota thank you and I believe because of your actions you will be blessed
Thank you.
Johan van Eeden and greater family.
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