Memorial Services

• WATERLOO FIREFIGHTER LOSES HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER
  
  Jack Rittenhouse, 12 year active member of the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2009. Jack had been fighting cancer for over a year and passed away overnight. He is survived by his wife, Angie and his daughter, Gracie. He is preceded in death by his 1 year old son who passed away due to a heart defect.
  
  Over a year ago Jack was diagnosed with cancer behind his eye. Over the past year he has gone through numerous chemo and radiation treatments and he experienced some success but then in December he was told he had over 40 tumors in his brain. During the first part of January Jack's legs became difficult to move and he had problems with thoughts and completing sentences and then last Thursday he was admitted to Methodist because he became altered. Jack lost his battle with cancer early Sunday morning.
  
  This family has been hit harder than anyone should be in life, two years ago they lost their 1 year old son to a heart defect.
  
  Jack was instrumental in the formation of the Waterloo Water Rescue Team and he also single handed convinced the Rural Fire Board to build the new Fire Station that he unfortunately will not be able to see completed.
  
  * Visitation will be Wednesday from noon to 8pm with family receiving guests from 6pm to 8pm
  
  * Funeral will be Thursday at 1pm at Elkhorn Hills United Methodist Church in Elkhorn, Burial at Reichmuth on about 216th and Maple Street.
  
  Waterloo Fire Department Members to be Honorary Pallbearers.
  
   

Fallen firefighters

• Jeremy Wach, 31, Wymore Volunteer Fire Department, was killed while fighting a house fire & trying to rescue a mother and 2 children. Nov.5, 2007
• Leo Soderquist, 64, Axtell Fire and Rescue Unit, heart attack after helping fight a house fire, Dec. 1, 2006.
• Mike Aunkst, 45, Benedict Volunteer Fire Department, heart attack while helping fight a barn fire, Feb. 27, 2005.
• Bobby Heminger, 39, Wood River Volunteer Fire Department, injuries suffered in a burning house while trying to save a 73-year-old woman, Feb. 15, 2004.
• Kenny Woitalewicz, 38, Wood River Volunteer Fire Department, injuries suffered in a burning house while trying to save a 73-year-old woman, Feb. 17, 2004.
• Ronald Holmes, 43, North Platte Fire Department, injuries suffered in accident while driving ambulance on Interstate 80 near Crete exit, Aug. 6, 2003.
• Bernie Schutte, 42, Palisade Volunteer Fire Department, heart attack while fighting grass fire, March 20, 2002.