An 11-foot Statue of Liberty in the Summit Hill Neighborhood tumbled over coincidentally, the day before Independence Day.

About 11 years ago, Mary Louise Klas commissioned a chain saw artist to carve a larger-than-human-size Statue of Liberty in a dead Elm tree in front of her house on Fairmount Avenue.

When Klas woke Monday morning, she noticed the toppled statue.

Police told her it was most likely because of insect damage to the base and strong winds Sunday night. Klas thought it would have taken a push to knock over the statue.

The statue was a reminder of what the country used to stand for, Klas said.

Klas formerly served on the Ramsey County District Court, the first woman judge to be appointed there. She previously told the Pioneer Press that she believed the Statue of Liberty epitomizes American patriotism.

Klas said she hopes to have the statue put back up, but doesnt know yet if thats possible.

After the statue was built, it became a bit of a neighbor attraction, even earning points for Pokemon fans, according to Klass daughter Mary Ellen Klas.

The statue cost Klas more than $5,000 and took the artist, Dennis Roghair, several months to carve.

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St. Paul woman's 11-foot Statue of Liberty replica topples - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press