Minn. woman bequeaths $140K to fire department

A Minnesota fire chief was left speechless recently when a neighbor bequeathed $140,000 to his department. That's eight times its annual budget and maybe enough to buy a new fire truck with the benefactor's name on it.

The money was part of Eleanor Sanford's will. The Dakota native died in September.

Fire Chief Scott Hoeg says he can't thank Sanford enough. He says he only wishes he could have thanked her in person.

A Winona Daily News report says city clerk Lana Gerlach was told that money had been left to the department, but she thought it would be $10,000. She says when she and Hoeg saw the check, neither could speak.

Sanford's caretaker, Marilyn Hurt, says Sanford wanted to make sure her money went back to the community.

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Information from: Winona Daily News