Years after Kortni Botzet’s fatal hot tub accident in Alexandria, she’s still changing lives – Alexandria Echo Press

ALEXANDRIA — Mothers solve problems. That’s just what they do.

That’s why when mother Nicole Ness Botzet asked Douglas County to approve her life jacket project on county beaches, the county agreed.

“We know that properly fitting, high-quality life jackets save lives,” said park ranger Brad Bonk. “When it’s hot, Douglas County beaches are crowded. And we know that many of those enjoying the sun, sand and water are children. We want them to be as safe as possible.”

Bonk and Botzet met a few years ago and he learned that she had a difficult history behind her.

Alexandria Echo Press archive photo

Nicole Botzet’s best friend, daughter Kortni Anne Botzet, died on May 2, 2010 after a hot tub accident. She was just 6 ½ years old and attending kindergarten at Carlos Elementary School. Her mother says she loved singing, dancing and playing with her friends and little brothers. “At our house, she was the leader of the group. The boys always joined in with what she did.”

Kortni’s joy of life now shines brightly in outdoor cabinets that bear her name.

“It took a long time,” said Botzet.

As part of the project, six wooden structures called Kortni’s Klosets have been installed at five county beaches and at Latoka Beach, which is managed by the Town of LaGrand. Kortni’s Klosets stock life jackets for children. The idea is that parents who need a life jacket for their children can use one and return it the same day or when it is no longer suitable for their child.

“When people send me a picture and say, ‘Look, someone is using your life jackets,’ it fills my heart because I know we’re making a difference,” Botzet said.

Although she was the driving force behind the project, Botzet wants to thank everyone who helped. Special thanks go to her brother, who is a contractor and owns Leslie Ness Construction. He and his team built the closets using discounted materials from Hilltop Lumber. The Carlos Lions and Norwex Foundation were also platinum sponsors of the closet project. In addition to those contributions, friends helped Botzet paint the structures, and a friend created iron-on labels with “Kortni’s PATH” for each new jacket donated.

“So many others have donated life jackets and financial support,” said Botzet. “Without all of you, this project would not have been possible!”

Contributed photo

Kortni’s PATH is a 501c3 organization that Botzet originally founded to raise awareness about water safety, particularly spas and hot tubs. “When we started our organization, we started with an annual fundraiser. It was a 5K run and a silent auction. We used these events to talk about water safety, and with the funds, we funded scholarships for all of Kortni’s kindergarten classmates who graduated from high school.”

Botzet said the events had been positive, but that was not the end of it.

“God kept putting life jackets on my heart, so we partnered with Central Marine in Carlos and did a life jacket giveaway,” Botzet said. “It was wonderful, but it broke my heart to see people still waiting in line without getting a life jacket. We had bought 100 and they were all sold out.”

Botzet’s mother, who hardly ever goes on Facebook, saw that her daughter had liked a post about life jacket lockers in Alaska. “She said, ‘Are you going to do that too?'”

The answer to her mother’s question was yes.

Kortni’s Klosets are currently located at Brophy Park Beach, Chippewa Park Beach, Latoka Beach, Le Homme Dieu Beach, Rotary Beach and Pilgrim Point Park. Another will be installed at Elk Lake Beach in Hoffman.

Botzet regularly checks that all new, donated life jackets meet Coast Guard and certification standards. Additional donations of high-quality children’s life jackets are always welcome and can be dropped off directly at Kortni’s Klosets. The only requirement is that the donated jackets would be worn by a parent for their own child.

Contributed photo

Monetary donations are also accepted via Venmo @ KortnisPATH or to Kortni’s PATH PO Box 13, Carlos, MN 56319.

Life jackets must fit properly when worn. Experts also advise parents that life jackets are not a substitute for active supervision of a child when he or she is in or near water. Drowning usually happens silently.

Botzet recommends learning about water and life jacket safety at kortnispath.wixsite.com/kortni/life-jacket-information and other reliable government websites. She also explained how to become a water watchdog. For more information, visit abbeyshope.org/become-a-water-watchdog/.

Botzet says Kortni remains a part of their family and they miss her every day.

Kortni’s closets of life jackets contain more than just flotation devices. They carry a message. “Live like Kortni,” Botzet says. “Be a friend to everyone. Make a difference in the lives of the people around you. Why wouldn’t you want everyone around you to smile?”

Madison Melby is an intern at the Alexandria Echo Press. She has lived in Alexandria since moving there in 2016. She is currently attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in English and minoring in creative writing and ensemble music.