Benefit helps family of Good Samaritan killed in crash
Nan Wandrey receives a hug from a friend at Sunday’s benefit for her daughter, Erin Brose, who died in January while being a Good Samaritan to two other women involved in a car crash. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
Erin Brose was known to hit up garage sales, load up her car and hand out her newfound possessions to homeless people.
That’s just one of many stories that circulated Sunday afternoon at the Celebration of Life for the 46-year-old Dodge Center mother of two who died as a result of a tragic crash while trying to be a Good Samaritan in late December.
“She had a big heart for everybody,” said Andrew Brose, Erin’s husband of 13 years. “She went above and beyond for everyone. Anything that was within her capability, she took care of.”
Sunday’s benefit at the Owatonna VFW brought together hundreds of friends, family members and even strangers to remember Erin Brose and support her family. The benefit featured a baked sale and silent auction.
“This blows me away,” Andrew Brose said. “I can’t believe all the people that are supporting us. Old friends from high school have come out of the woodwork. It’s just overwhelming.”
Their daughter, Emma Esplan, is following in mom’s footsteps as she recently obtained her CNA license for healthcare. She works at Sacred Heart in Austin.
“Emma always said she never wanted to take care of people when she was younger,” Andrew recalled. Asked what changed, he responded: “She saw how much enjoyment Erin got out of her clients.”
Erin worked as a healthcare aide for many families around the area and had her CNA license. “She was very proud of that,” said Andrew, who also works in healthcare with International Quality Homecare in Owatonna. He plans to take on some of Erin’s clients.
Their son, Jack, will graduate this spring from Triton High School and plans to go into welding.
Asked what he will miss the most about Erin, Andrew replied: “Things we did outdoors—camping, hikes and trips with the kids.” He remembered how she always pulled over to take pictures of sunrises and sunsets.
“She supported me through so much,” Andrew said. “She was a rock to me. She helped me with my faith. She was always in my corner whether I was right or wrong,” he added.
During the benefit, guests were encouraged to “get your charitable hearts out and your wallets to support the family.” And they did.
The final numbers were still being tallied as of press time Monday, but the family estimated more than $17,000 was raised to help the family with medical and funeral expenses.
But perhaps more than the money, family members took comfort in the hugs, condolences and stories people shared with them about Erin.
“It was a powerful day,” said Nan Wandrey, Erin Brose’s mother. “This will help us all heal from this tragedy. It was a definite answer from God.”
One of the organizers of the benefit was Holly Anderson of Owatonna, a cousin of Erin’s. She helped pull together a silent auction featuring 213 baskets. She was surprised with the outpouring of support they received. “People just want to help. That was the biggest thing,” Anderson said.
“Erin touched a lot of lives. She was always helping others.”
Anderson shared how Erin and her always celebrated their birthdays together with another cousin.
Wandrey is taking comfort in knowing, “the more storms you face in life, the stronger you will be.”
She added, “It’s a tragic thing, but God gets you through it.”
Another benefit is planned for Sunday, March 30 at Moland Lutheran Church in Kenyon from 12-2 p.m. A free-will pancake breakfast will benefit three families, including the Brose’s. The fundraiser is being organized by one of Wandrey’s classmates.
