Supporters Honored at Friends of The Highground Dinner

Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

The Friends of The Highground Dinner to recognize supporters for the year 2024 was held on Saturday, April 12, at the Castle Hill Supper Club in Merrillan.

Over 200 invitations were sent, with just over half of the recipients attending, making it a memorable evening for supporters of the organization’s mission.

This recognition dinner acknowledges businesses, organizations and individual supporters who contribute at least $1,000 or more during the year to support The Highground. The evening featured special guests Jerry and Alice Smith, who graciously offered the invocation for the event.

Reflecting on the incredible contributions made throughout the year, Executive Director Chris Pettis said, “This past year has been nothing short of remarkable, with countless moments that reaffirm The Highground’s mission and provided a welcoming space for reflection and healing."

"From impactful fundraising events, heartfelt ceremonies honoring the brave men and women who served our country, to the memorable veterans retreats and programming events, every occasion has been a testament to the dedication of our team, volunteers, and the incredible support of individual contributors.”

As a show of gratitude, staff and board members of The Highground served a delectable buffet-style meal. 55 “first-year” Friends of The Highground were then recognized alongside numerous familiar faces who have supported the organization over the years.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of two individuals whose extraordinary efforts consistently surpassed expectations, earning them the prestigious “Spirit of The Highground Award.”

Landon Penk of Osseo was recognized for his ongoing commitment to sharing proceeds from his county fair hog sales with The Highground, demonstrating a young passion for his family’s farming and veteran legacy.

Helynn Shuffeltowski was celebrated for her thoughtful and selfless acts of volunteerism and in-kind contributions to The Highground’s daily operations. Despite the absence of the “Spirit of The Highground” recipients, the guests expressed their appreciation for their efforts with a round of applause.

Concluding the evening, veteran attendees were honored, followed by a poignant reading of 100 names of service members who perished during the Korean, Vietnam and Global War on Terrorism conflicts.

The Highground expresses deep gratitude to everyone who contributed and attended the event, as well as those who continue to support its mission to Honor, Educate and Heal. Together, we stand united in honoring the bravery and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes.

Recipients by Year:

21 YEARS
Central WI Broadcasting
Don Quicker
John & Rebecca Scaletta 

19 YEARS 
Randy Meyer
Jerry Simon

18 YEARS 
Tom & Rose Miller

17 YEARS 
Marguerite Listeman Foundation  
Joan Cervenka  
Walter Tollefson

16 YEARS 
City of Neillsville  
VFW Mar-Lin Post #10203  
Gary & Rita Karczewski

15 YEARS
Michael & Joyce Huebsch  
Braatz Family

14 YEARS 
Dennis & Sharon Herzberg  
Joyce Hoffman  
Steve & Karen Maddox

13 YEARS 
Citizens State Bank of Loyal  
Michael & Kathy Gleisner
Gary & Kay Weirauch

12 YEARS 
James Feneli  
Bill & Kathy Flemal    
Verla Lysy  
Cole Peterson

11 YEARS 
Michele Benson  
Bob & Gloria Beyer  
Julie Diesing  
Paul Kokosz  
Nick & Janet Lesar

10 YEARS 
Roy & Ginny Franz  
Bonnie Henchen  
Lorraine Short

9 YEARS 
Jim & Nina Henchen
Adler-Clark Electric Cooperative
Mary Kokosz  
Sue Kokosz

8 YEARS 
American Legion Loyal Post 175  
Gross Motors, Inc  
Wuethrich Foundation, Inc.  
Lee & Kathleen Anderson  
Duane Schwab

7 YEARS 
City of Neillsville Public Works Dept  
VFW Lakeland #7898  
Mary Boortz  
Kathy & Joseph Houzner  
John & Donna Koutre

6 YEARS 
VFW Dr G G Mueller Post 10452
Combat Parts, Inc.  
James & Diana Buechner  
Ray & Pat Maertens  
Ralph & Peggy Ottum  
Terri & Michael Stott

5 YEARS 
Marine Corps League McCullen Kimpel Det 552
Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
Larry & Pat Dessner  
David & Patricia Dvorachek  
Elaine Quast  
Carol Shea  
Adel Thiede

4 YEARS 
American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post 469  
American Legion Brask-Fossum-Janke Post 185  
American Legion Carl Nelson Post 324  
American Legion Haugen-Richmond Post 73  
AMVETS Elmo Dahl Post 1
Loyal Car Show  
Marawood Construction, Inc.  
MEC, Inc.  
Partners Bank of Wisconsin
Roper Trust-Frontenac Farms Off Road Park  
Russell’s of Neillsville  
Unity Bank – Augusta  
VFW Craig S. Olson Post 8514  
William J. & Gertrude R. Casper Foundation  
WWIS Radio  
Don Anibas  
Bob Barth  
Dale Bauer  
Carl Bogar Jr.  
Janice Brady    
Richard & Laura Culver
Arthur & Julie Elliott  
Leonard & Connie Frye  
Wayne Guenther  
Marge Hansen     
Gregory Ichel  
Jim & Christine Krizenesky  
Richard & Rebecca Mauch  
Michael Platt  
Wayne & Bonnie Short  
Don Wittmann

3 YEARS
Ag County Farm Credit Services  
American Legion Sura-Wiersgalla Post 186  
Hansen’s IGA
Kulas Body Shop
Simplicity Credit Union
Stanley Correctional Institution – Veteran Ward
VFW District 3 Riders  
VFW Edgar Memorial Post #10187  
VFW Springbrook-Trego-Earl Post 10568
Avis Becker  
Jerry Christensen  
Joseph & Connie Havlovick
Maureen Hornung
Larry & Charlotte Kizewski
William & Marcia Laney
Seth & Susan Miller 
Thomas Olk  
Don & Judith Pentz  
Harold & Carol Rand  
Ike Rebout
Kenneth Roehl
Robert Seidl
Victoria Shoemaker  
Cedric & Cindy Thayer  
Fred & Bonnie Vance  
Melanie & Elizabeth Wrensch

2 YEARS
American Legion Riders District 7
American Legion Hutchins-Stendahl Post 191
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association 45-6  
Edward D. Jones & Co Custodian Window Accessory Inc.
Sav-Rite Building Center
Dennis & Traci Fick  
Chad & Rhonnie Garcia  
Eric Johnson  
Mark & Betty Konichek  
Kim Landwehr  
Kenneth Lanier  
John Napierala  
Al & Janet Raatz  
Anthony & Grace Rich
Vernon & Joan Smith
Maryann & John Vedder
Palmer & Susan Welcome
Barb Shain & Walt Wesenberg
Jerome & Sharon Woelfel

1 YEAR
Alliant Energy-Foundation
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 153
American Legion Bredlow-Ewing Post 467
American Legion Sylvan Post 44
Automated Products, Inc.
Birch Creek Town Hall
Bowl Winkles
Carson Family Gift Fund
Erickson Construction
Global Finishing Solutions
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club Road Warriors Chapter
Motorhead Mafia Car Club
R & R Flooring & Furniture
Sampson Heating & Air Conditioning
St. Croix Co Council of American Legion
Suda Plumbing Inc.
Total Electric Service, Inc.
VVA Chapter 224
VVA Racine Chapter 767
We Energies Foundation
Wisconsin Good Sam Camping Org.
Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1
Dirk Anderson
Joyce Bates
Aaron & Alyssa Bembnister
Paul & Melissa Borsheim
Joyce Bratsven
Zach Christensen
Russell Erickson
Jeffrey Fahl
Francis Fleming
Michael Friedl
Kenneth & Marybeth Herbage
Hollis & Alyce Herbison
Gary & Judy Hoth
Craig Hribal
John Jacobs
Mark & Sonja Kalscheur
Brianne Kemp
Mike Kreciak Sr.
John Kreidler
David Louden
Doug & Jennifer Mauritz
Traci Messner
Kellan Michaelson
Norbert Pabich
Landon Penk
Duane Pupp
Dave Reimer
Richard Rhiel
Helynn & Ed Schufletowski
Jeff & Cheryl Stange
Bob & Marsha Steffen
Gerry & Evonne Susa
Ron & Kay Sweet
Mike & Marcia Voorhees
Sarah Williamson

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.