Close call

Editorial note - this story was written prior to the October 12 wedding of Cole Staloch and Lexi Tweeten. 

 

Talk about a close call.

 

Cole Staloch, of Cleveland, is a lineman for MJ Electric and was dispatched first to Cincinnati on Sept. 27 and then onward to Asheville, North Carolina to restore power to those who still had homes after Hurricane Helene hit.

 

But Staloch’s wedding is in Mankato on Saturday and his fiancee, Lexi Tweeten, feared he wouldn’t make it back on time. Staloch was notified on Sunday he would indeed return in time.

 

His boss reassured him he’d get back on time for his nuptials, either by plane or car.

 

Flights were hit and miss out of Asheville and the connecting airport in Atlanta, Staloch said, so it was decided he’d drive back in a company truck with his brother Nick Staloch, who also works for MJ Electric and who happens to be the best man in the wedding.

 

“She was excited,” Cole Staloch said. “Lexi was happy to know I was driving and not flying.”

 

Tweeten said she was “for sure worried,” about whether her fiance would return on time.

 

“I was nervous that their flights would get canceled and they wouldn’t find a way home,” she said. “He’ll be home for a couple of days and there’s a chance he’ll get called back down for the hurricane that’s hitting Florida. They don’t know yet. The job is pretty unpredictable.

 

“They get a call, and two hours later, they’re heading somewhere out of state,” she said.

 

Cole Staloch said he’s fueled by his work.

 

“It is very rewarding and humbling at the same time,” he said, “knowing we’re pretty fortunate to live where we do and have what we have.”

 

He’s worked for MJ Electric for six years and has responded to tornadoes and ice storms all over the country, as well as hurricanes Ida, Ian, Henri and Helene.

 

“I enjoy it,” Staloch said. “It’s pretty humbling at times when you see everything being taken away from all of these people who live in these small towns across the country. I grew up in a small town, too. It’s the same for all of these small towns. Everybody comes together.”

 

“I’m really proud of him obviously, but it is hard,” Tweeten said. “I know he’s helping a lot of people and I know he really likes it, too. It makes me proud that he works so hard.”

 

Staloch and Tweeten hadn’t settled on a honeymoon plan, but now with Hurricane Milton predicted to wreak havoc in Florida, they’ll probably go on one in December, Staloch said.

 

The wedding is at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato and the reception is at Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, which is also in Mankato. More than 300 guests are invited.

 

“I’m nervous but I’m excited,” Tweeten said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s going to be fun.”