Truckers come together to honor Blaze Himle

(ABC 6 News) – 12-year-old Blaze Himle was laid to rest today after passing away in a snowmobile accident on January 8th. Blaze’s biggest love of all was semi-trucks.

“I wasn’t ready to turn the corner because I knew they would be here already for this little amazing boy who loved trucks more than anything,” said Renay Himle Blaze’s aunt.

Blaze Himle got his love of trucks from his grandfather. Last summer the two of them traveled to California together, and his family says blaze’s smile was never bigger than when he climbed in that truck.

“Always waiting for the truck to come home so he could help. Papa let’s go clean the truck let’s go wash the truck no matter the weather lets go wash the truck lets go fix the truck. Anything to do with the truck he was right there,” said Renay.

Truckers lined up outside First Lutheran Church Saturday afternoon to honor Blaze and his dream.

“The little bit of what I can do to show my gratitude or show appreciation to the family. It means a lot to them and it’s something easy that every one of us could do,” said trucker Ethan Meyer of Altura, MN.

Ethan Meyer says that truckers are always there for one another. That’s why he felt it was important to come out Saturday to be there for Blaze’s family.

“It’s one of them where everyone’s a little different, everybody from somewhere else, maybe speaks a different language but at the end of the day. It’s kind of like a family you didn’t know you have,” said Ethan.

And while the family grieves the loss of their sweet Blaze, they’re happy with the way he was honored.

“The trucking community has been an amazing family for us. I’m so happy that they’re coming for him, for him, to take him home,” said Renay.

There were 82 trucks that led the procession and including the one carrying blaze to his final destination.