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Chaska Herald ArticleCline family struggles after tragic explosion I Chaska Herald Page 1 of 5 r Login I About I Register! I Lost Password? Welcome to the Chaska Herald Tipline: (206) 203-2172 1 Home Slogs Catch Up Forums Groups News Print Edition - Search Site Me How to use the new site I Send Feedback: let us know what you think of the new site. News v People Cline family struggles after tragic explosion Submitted by MFrancisco on July 19, 2007 - 9:44am. Filed under: People By Mollee Francisco Tuesday was an especially trying day for Mark Cline. Although he was encouraged that his 15 -year-old son Colin was getting his breathing tube removed, Cline knew that having his son awake and alert for the first time in days came at a cost. "It's good and bad, because now I have to tell him about his mother," said Cline. "It's something I've been completely dreading." Colin and his 16 -year-old brother, Ethan, both Chaska High School students, were severely injured on the evening of July 12 when their family cabin on Bond Lake near Wascott, Wis. exploded. Their mother, Bridget Arneson, 54, was also injured in the blast. She died later that night after being transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but local officials believe an appliance malfunction may be to blame. "I was there with my fire department bunker pants on and heavy boots, kneeling in the rubble trying my best to comfort Bridget and Ethan as we carefully loaded them on boards and carried them to the awaiting wheeled stretchers," said Bill Matthias, lake neighbor and Wascott-Gordon fire department volunteer. "It was dark. The cabin was spread over three acres and in all the trees, but Bridget, Ethan and Colin were tough and resolute as they were News Navigator - Activities (366) stories - Anniversaries (1) stories - Announcements (51) stories - Business News (67) stories - Carver County Citizen (1) storie - City of Carver news (11) stories - City of Chaska news (78) storie - City Politics (55) stories - County Politics (15) stories - Courts (40) stories - Deaths (199) stories - Entertainment (70) stories - Environment (7) stories - Events (54) stories - Fire tails (5) stories - High School Sports (177) storie - History (6) stories - Jonathan Association (16) stori - Legal Notices (53) stories - Looking Back (2) stories - Military (14) stories - Minnesota River Crossing (7) s - National Politics (6) stories - Nature's Playground series (3) - People (17) stories - Perspectives (6) stories - Police (40) stories - Polls (21) stories - Profile (15) stories - Public Safety (62) stories - River City Days (16) stories - School Board (5) stories - Schools (66) stories - Sheriff (16) stories - Sports (228) stories - State Politics (13) stories - Transportation (33) stories - Video Clips (18) stories - Video Podcast (1) stories - Weather (15) stories Recent comments • With all due respect to the http://www.chaskaherald.conVnode/2230 10/16/2007 Cline family struggles after tragic explosion I Chaska Herald Page 2 of 5 carefully carried over the downed beams, cracked boards, insulation and broken glass to the helicopters." 1 hour 17 min ago • 101 just north of existing Digestion and reflection 1 day 4 hours ago This week, those who know the long-time Chaska family are reeling • Chaska defeated four team! from news of the tragedy. 1 day 5 hours ago • Wal Mart and Fleet Farm in "I am still in shock at the news," said Tracy Goembel, a former 3 days 1 hour ago coworker of Cline's. "This is something I would not wish for anyone." • Courtesy Flush gets a 3 days 16 hours ago "Words can't express the level of this tragedy," said neighbor Lynnette • Janet Pexa reports that Nelson in an e-mail. "No one should have to endure that kind of pain." 4 days 32 min ago • Is Whitey AWOL? The As hopes and prayers are extended to the family, along with them come 4 days 3 hours ago memories of Arneson. • "Pet Cemetery" - The thoug "Her voice was like smooth silk and friendly. I can still hear her voice," 4 days 3 hours ago* said Matthias. "She was beautiful and graced our lake with her class This is an especially 4 days 4 hours ago and stunning looks. • "An Inconvenient Truth" "Bridget knew how to drive that ski boa[ for hours, with Mark and the 4 days 6 hours ago boys behind," he continued. "Then when she skied, she showed them all up." "Bridget Active forum topics was one of those that loved to take walks in the neighborhood," said former Chaska neighbor Ginny Vlaanderen. "Every • Win Tickets to screamTown time I was outside working in my yard, she would stop and we would • Are you the Twin Cities' mo talk about planting and gardening. overscheduled family? • Best fall drives "She was the nicest person and was always smiling and laughing," she • NCAA Football added. • Scariest movie of all time? "Bridget was an energetic, happy person with a lot to offer," said Nelson. "She was a fantastic mother. She will be sincerely missed." "She was extremely intelligent and dedicated to her job," said Sarah Blogroll DeMann, who worked with Arneson at United Healthcare. "But at the Blog fan? If you like to read blogs, t same time, she was also a very down-to-earth, warm person who had list of local blogs we read. an easy smile for everyone. Buzz 4 Business "She masterfully balanced her work and home life and loved spending Dogs Aye View Adam Bomb time up at the cabin with her family," she continued. "She will be sorely Melissa Gilman's Blog missed by everyone who knew her here." Tech Tracker Just a Fluke "Bridget was one of those rare individuals that made people around her Chaska Business Notes feel valued and appreciated," said Julie Swenson, another coworker of Arneson's. "Her family was extremely important to her. She had such pride in her voice when she talked about the boys. I will miss her dearly." Latest Posts Marriage and family • Crossroads talks merger wi- 1 hour 35 min ago Cline and Arneson were married 20 years ago. According to Cline, • Win Tickets to ScreamTown though the two had mutual friends, they met via an ad in the Twin 4 hours 4 min ago* Cities Reader. Firefighter in training 6 hours 52 min ago "She had the warmest smile," said Cline. "She was an easy person to • Reminder: Property taxes d talk to and very smart. We were a good pair." 1 day 2 hours ago • Sign up for our email editio When Ethan and Colin came along, their education became a top 1 day 3 hours ago http://www.chaskaherald.com/node/2230 10/16/2007 Cline family struggles after tragic explosion I Chaska Herald priority for Arneson, Cline said "She would sacrifice anything for that," he said, noting that they both spent several hours each week working with the boys on their schooling. Their hard work paid off, resulting in two top students. "The boys are smart, smart, smart!" said Goembel. "Ethan is very competitive," said Cline. "I'm so proud of him." "I find (Colin) to be an intellectually curious teenager," said Eric Graf, a friend of the family. "He and I have gotten into long discussions about science and philosophy. He loves questioning scientific theory." "Colin always had an intriguing story or a fascinating experiment to share with us," said Nelson. But while school was their main focus during the year, summers meant time up at the lake. "We probably spent three or four weekends a summer at home," said Cline. The cabin had been in Cline's family since he was an infant. It served as a gathering place for the entire family. "When we were younger, (Bridget and I) would go up there and lay around in the water to avoid the heat," said Cline. As Ethan and Colin came into the picture, the cabin became the family's playground. "The boys and I liked to play king of the raft," recalled Cline. "We could play that game for hours, while Bridget would read a book and watch. Her one complaint was that there was too much testosterone." "The Cline family shared our campfires, my fish fries and our beer and wine at weekend celebrations," said Matthias. "We were invited to their lake compound for great meals and special wines, the names of which I cannot pronounce. "Bond Lake will never be the same without Bridget," he noted. Support Cline said that the outpouring of support he has received has been amazing so far. "I'm just Flabbergasted," he said. "It's something I could have never imagined." "Mark and the boys have a long road of healing ahead of them and will need every kind of assistance that we can all offer them," said Nelson. While Ethan and Colin remain hospitalized at Hennepin County Medical Center, Caringbridge Web sites have been set up for Cline and the boys. The sites will allow visitors to follow the boys' progress and leave messages of support for all three. In addition, a fund has been set up at U.S. Bank to help offset medical costs. Funeral arrangements for Arneson are on hold until the boys are able to http://www.chaskaherald.com/node/2230 Page 3 of 5 • Feed My Starving Children r packing event 1 day 3 hours ago • Funeral notice for Robert Ai Sloun 1 day 3 hours ago • City Council Agenda for 10/ 1 day 4 hours ago • Are you the Twin Cities' mo overscheduled family? 1 day 4 hours ago • NCAA Football 2 days 4 hours ago • Hawks thump Apple Valley volleyball 4 days 2 hours ago • Chaska tennis team starts is playoffs today 4 days 4 hours ago • Holy Family soccer teams si sections 4 days 4 hours ago • Happy Birthday www.chaskaheraid.com! 4 days 4 hours ago • Minnesota Valley 4 days 5 hours ago • Would you shop regularly a Wal-Mart? 4 days 6 hours ago • Hawk soccer seasons end a 4 days 16 hours ago • Police seek burglary suspec 4 days 22 hours ago Upcoming events • An Evening with Maya Ange • Science Museum fights hun- • Feed My Starving Children r packing event Hot Jobs • MA CMA LPN, Ridgeview Medic and Clinics • Building Maintenance Tech, Su • Network Field Support Special 10/16/2007 Cline family struggles after tragic explosion I Chaska Herald attend. "Bridget is going to be so sorely missed by myself and the boys," said Cline. "She was so dedicated to her family. They couldn't have had a better mother." RELATED: Obituaries from the July 19 Herald To contribute to the Cline Fund, donations may be sent to any U.S. Bank or to the main office: 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402; attn: Retail Branch National Karate School will also hold a Kick-A-Thon on August 18 or 19 for the Cline family. All 22 metro locations will be participating. Students will be collecting pledges in their communities but those interested in making a donation can also visit any of the Twin Cities' National Karate schools. To follow their recovery and send messages of support, go to: www.caringbridge.org/visit/markciine www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethancline www.caringbridge.org/visit/colinciine Your vote: No votes yet »■Login or register to post comments Printer friendly version http://www.chaskaherald.conVnode/2230 Page 4 of 5 Chaska • Sales and Cashiers, Scheels • Mechanical Drafter, Towmaste Inc • Hospital Pharmacist, Ridgeviei Center • Security Officers, Securitas Se Services • Punch Press Operators, The Tc Company LET'S GI regional arts & entertainme 16 17 18 19 20 NES 1+lIETI THUR FRI SAT Searc • Arts & Crafts • Community • Business • Dance • Fairs & Festivals • Food & Dining • Music • Performing Arts • Sports & Outdoors • Visual Arts Special Publications Looking for some more great reads" the many special publications and h produced by this newspaper and ou company, Southwest Newspapers. They're in PDF format, so you'll nee Acrobat Reader to open them. • Carver Cologne Resident's Gui. 2007.pdf • Carver County Citizen April 201 • Carver County Citizen Februar, • Carver County Citizen June 201 • Chaska Resident's Guide 2007 • Chaska Today April 2007.pdf • Chaska Today August 2007.pd • Chaska Today January Februar 2007.pdf • Chaska Today June July 2007.; • Chaska Today March 2007.pdf • Chaska Today May 2007.pdf • Cologne Connection July 2007. • Cologne Connection March 20( • Open House Directory.pdf • Welcome Home.pdf 10/16/2007