The Waukesha Parade Memorial and Community Resilience

After tragedy struck Waukesha’s Christmas Parade in 2021, the community faced unimaginable loss. Now, a powerful memorial stands as a symbol of resilience.

On November 21, 2021, the Waukesha community, home to NEXT Electric, was struck with tragedy during its annual Christmas Parade when a driver intentionally plowed through the parade route. The devastation claimed the lives of six individuals, including a child, and injured more than 70 others. In the aftermath, the Waukesha community rallied together to support victims and their families, emphasizing the community’s resilience.

Those remembered are:

• Tamara Durand, 52
• Wilhelm Hospel, 81
• Jane Kulich, 52
• Leanna Owen, 71
• Virginia Sorenson, 79
• Jackson Sparks, 8

After three years of rebuilding, healing, and fundraising, the city of Waukesha honors the six lives lost, and all others affected, with a permanent memorial at Grede Park. With the tribute’s electrical wiring installed by NEXT Electric, the heart-shaped memorial made up of six concrete ribbons to represent each victim, encircles a blue light to symbolize “Waukesha Strong,” a phrase coined as the rallying cry for the city’s resilience. The Parade Memorial also includes a tile wall, allowing community members to leave their personal mark, benches for congregation and reflection, and plaques, ensuring that the memories of those lost remain a guiding light within the community.

“Being part of this project is pretty special considering what this means to all the people that were involved, those who saw it, and dealt with it,” says Ryan Lemmer, NEXT Electric Service Electrician. “To see the memorial from the beginning, and after 6 months’ worth of work, to turn it into what it is now is great. I’m happy to have been a part of it.”

As Waukesha continues to heal, the Parade Memorial stands as a tangible testament to the unwavering strength and unity of its people. #WaukeshaStrong

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