Pictured on left, Floyd and Lisa Dachel, former owners, with new owners of Bloomer Truck Repair, LLC, on right, Tammy and Henry LeBakken.
Bloomer Advance Photo
Many businesses in Bloomer have seen a transition over the years with new ownership. In a small town like Bloomer it is not uncommon for business deals to have economic ties, but this particular one has family ties as well.
The land on 21st Avenue has a history dating back to 1859. On the abstract it is documented as an act of the U.S. Congress it was given to Brigadere General John W. Mansfield. This is the same John W. Mansfield that was given land on what is now State Hwy 64 for his service to our country as was reported in the Bloomer Advance in the article on the historic Benson home in the July 28, 2021 edition.
The property had several owners after Mansfield with farm land as its primary use. On Aug. 6, 1969, the east end of the property was purchased by the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the construction of State Highway 53. On May 13, 1971, the property was detached from the Town of Woodmohr and annexed to the City of Bloomer.
The history of 2024 21st Avenue in Bloomer may date back to 1859, however; this story actually starts in the spring of 1960 when Gene and Gin Fanetti started Fanetti Refrigerated Transport. The company started with one semi-tractor and a refrigerated trailer. The main haul was out of Jerome Foods, now known as The Turkey Store, in Barron, hauling frozen turkeys to the east coast.
In August 1978 Gene and Gin Fanetti purchased the property on 21st Avenue. This was a turning point for Fanetti Refrigerated Transport. In 1979, the Fanetti’s incorporated the business and changed the name to Fanetti Transport, Inc. and built a new terminal building with an office.
Fanetti Transport’s business continued to grow. With that growth, a warehouse facility was built in 1981 because at that time Fanetti Transport had dry vans as well as refrigerated trailers. Their main hauls were cheese, plastics, windows and paper filters. Fanetti Transport hauled for all local companies. They operated 16 units and employed 21 full-time employees.
In 1994 Fanetti Transport, Inc. was sold to a group of investors from Minneapolis, Minn., who took over on Sept. 1, 1994. They named the new business Gateway Trucking and rented the property from the Fanetti’s until 1999, when they moved the business to Minneapolis.
On Sept. 1, 1999, the Fanetti’s daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Floyd Dachel, acquired the facility and began a new company, Bloomer Truck Repair & Warehousing, LLC. The new company offered full service diesel semi truck and trailer repairs. As business grew so did the shop with expansion to the original terminal area and an addition of three-bays and a storage area in 2017. For the past 24 years, Floyd has served the Bloomer community with high quality service and repairs. The Dachel’s are very appreciative and thankful for their patrons through the years who have entrusted them with their repair needs.
On Aug. 1, 2023, Bloomer Truck Repair & Warehousing, LLC was purchased by Henry and Tammy LeBakken. Henry has the experience needed to run a successful semi truck and trailer repair business as he has 28 years experience at a dealership in Eau Claire. During those 28 years he moved up the corporate ladder from a technician working in the shop to Service Manager over seeing three locations.
The succession of ownership of this property is not just about business, but also family. The Fanetti family was founded on hard work set by the example of Tony and Florence Fanetti who took pride in their farm and business, Farmers Livestock Market. That value of hard work was instilled in their children.
Now your probably wondering how this family tree branches out in this business transaction. Tony and Florence Fanetti were the parents of Gene Fanetti and Carol Vahlenkamp which makes Lisa Dachel and Tammy LeBakken first cousins. Besides the connection to the trucking industry that has held true through many generations of this family, Aug. 1, is also a significant date as it would have been Tony and Florence Fanetti’s wedding anniversary.
Henry and Tammy LeBakken will run the business under a new name, Bloomer Truck Repair, LLC with personalized, affordable service for diesel semi trucks and trailers. Check out their website at www.bloomertruckrepair.com. The LeBakkens will manage the warehousing under a different business entity.
Having raised their daughters here, they are now excited to be part of the Bloomer business community.
Gene Fanetti pictured by one of his dad’s, Tony Fanetti, trucks used to haul livestock.
