Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
The Menominee Indian Tribe recently named a newly created cul de sac in honor of Shawano County highway worker Derek Stempa, who was killed in a road construction accident in May.
The cul de sac, designated as Stempa Lane, is located just west of the state Highway 47 and County Road G intersection, near the spot where Stempa died.
Stempa, 30, of Shawano, was working as a flag person at that location on May 26 when he was struck by a southbound 2003 Dodge Caravan driven by Dennis St. John, 69, of Tigerton.
St. John died of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in August before he could be charged.
The accident occurred in a portion of Red Springs that straddles the Menominee Reservation area known as Middle Village. The cul de sac was part of the road project on which Stempa was working.
“Our family is greatly appreciative of the thoughtful gesture made by the Menominee Indian Tribe. We feel blessed to have Derek’s memory honored in this way,” Stempa’s family said in a statement.
Shawano County Highway Commissioner Grant Bystol said the signage on Stempa Lane went up within the last several weeks.
“It was a nice gesture on the part of the Menominee Tribe,” he said. “We sure appreciate that here, as does the family, I’m sure.”
Bystol said Stempa’s death is still being felt by the highway department.
“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think of Derek,” he said.
Menominee Tribal Chairman Gary Besaw issued a statement in the aftermath of the crash.
“The Menominee Nation expresses our sympathy to the family of the individual who lost his life and to the Shawano County Highway Department,” he said in the statement. “We are mindful of all who are willing to work in challenging and high risk occupations to make the roadways we travel safer. This tragedy is a reminder to all of us how precious life is and how important it is to use extra caution in all work zones.”
A fund was also set up in Stempa’s name at Capital Credit Union.