A large Wing River Township dairy operation, in the midst of a major transition effort, had several large barns either destroyed or damaged by a fire Thursday, Nov. 12.

The fire at the Schoon Farms approximately five miles north of Verndale, was reported just after 11:30 p.m., according to the Wadena County Sheriff's Office. The Verndale Fire Department responded and was on the scene within a few minutes.

The Schoon Farms complex consisted of nine different buildings. Three of five main dairy barns were destroyed, with two others not heavily damaged, according to Verndale Fire Chief Don Weniger.

The fire chief said the fire department fought to save at least two outlying buildings from catching fire at the peak of the blaze.

Both the Wadena and Staples Volunteer fire departments were called in for mutual aid.

Brothers Harvey and Dave Schoon, who over the years had built up nearly a 1,000 cow operation, had been selling down the size of their herd and were transitioning into a registered Holstein herd, according to Jean Schoon, Harvey's wife.

She said that while most of the cattle got out, approximately 50 head of cattle died either the night of the fire or in the next day or two, many dying due to smoke inhalation.

The fire is still under investigation by the Wadena County Sheriff's and Minnesota State Fire Marshall's Office. A cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Jean Schoon said the operation lost an 80 cow tie-stall barn and an 80 cow free-stall barn. Both were 300 foot long barns just remodeled for housing young heifers and other young stock.

She said many of the 50 cows lost were registered Holsteins as the Schoons had been moving to a smaller, registered herd with improved breeding over the past several years.

"That's what is so heartbreaking, the fire was devastating in so many ways," Jean Schoon said.

She and her husband were impressed with the work of the fire departments. "They did a fantastic job of fighting the fire, working all night long," she said.

Weniger said the Verndale department was on the scene for about nine hours. Water was hauled from a nearby irrigation well by the Verndale trucks, while Staples hauled water from the nearby Wing River.

"The outpouring of the community is what has given us strength," Jean Schoon added, "There have been a lot of food, hugs and tears since the fire. It's a great, close-knit community."

Friends and family have set up a benefit fund called the Schoon Farms Benefit Fund at TCF Banks. People can contribute online or at any of the TCF branches or by mail to TCF Banks, 801 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, Mn. 55402 or telephone 612-823-2265.