News of DOT’s decision spread fast. Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie, said he was contacted Friday by Sun Prairie Mayor Jon Freund. Hebl said he tried to immediately reach someone at DOT but couldn’t so he drove to the memorial and taped a piece of paper over part of it that reads “DOT: Contact me BEFORE sign removal.”

He left his State Assembly business card and wrote his cellphone number in large letters on the piece of paper, which was still on the memorial Wednesday.

“The last thing I want is for the Mengelts to go through any more pain or suffering,” Hebl said in an interview Wednesday.

Hebl said he has now had a chance to talk with the DOT and it appears the memorial will need to be moved. Sun Prairie City Administrator Aaron Oppenheimer said the city will work with the Mengelt family and the memorial’s organizers to find a suitable site on city property. Bie said DOT has not given the city a deadline.

One likely site is Orfan Community Park, Oppenheimer said. An annual 5K run in Mengelt’s honor is now held there.