Mary Patros has volunteered at various occasions over the past five decades from dressing up and dancing on stage for Senior Miss Wisconsin to playing Mrs. Santa Clause for the Children’s Christmas party at the Shrine. She has served thousands of volunteer hours and yet still has time to devote to her family. Mary has been the recipient of countless awards for her involvement in the prosperity of La Crosse. Her attentiveness towards the community is inspirational. View docudrama by Molly.

Mary Patros has been a devoted volunteer for forty-seven years and has logged almost 30,000 service hours to the La Crosse community. View interview by Molly.

Throughout the years, Rachel Gundersen discovered what her special skills were, like raising children, listening, writing and asking the right questions to get kids talking. When her children reached the high school years, there was a major drug problem creeping into La Crosse. Rachel figured that the only way to get something done about it was to go back to college at the age of 43 and become a La Crosse District school psychologist. Rachel’s message to parents was strong. “Stick with it!...

Rachel's passion is improving children’s lives at home and in schools. She is a talented woman that has plays many roles in our community. View interview by Kelsey.

Born in Laos during the turbulent Vietnam War Era, Pa Moua experienced the courageous move from Thailand to America. Since in La Crosse, Pa Moua assists and educates the Hmong community paying special attention to the elders. She started as an interpreter for the children of the La Crosse School District and then began to help minority students and other service organizations. Pa Moua has been nominated as chairperson of the La Crosse Hmong New Year. She continues to achieve many important...

With boundless determination, Pa Moua became the first Hmong social worker for La Crosse County’s Community Management Organization (CMO). View interview by Tou.

Vernetta is a true inspiration to the people of our community. She is an admirable role model to future women around the area and all over the world. Vernetta was in the Marine Women’s Reserve during World War II and was stationed in El Toro, California as a quartermaster where she helped the military greatly by releasing soldiers to go overseas into combat. After her war years, she became a teacher and reading specialist. Doing so, she helped countless adolescents around the Coulee Region. ...

Vernetta is an inspiration to other women in our community. She participated in WWII as a quartermaster in the Marine Women’s Reserve. View interview by Tony.

Marilyn McElligott spends much of her time caring for the needs of others. As a retired nurse for nearly a decade, Marilyn continues sharing her talents of giving and nurturing by volunteering in our community. "I will volunteer "til the day I die,” Marilyn says with conviction. If she were to be honored for her life’s accomplishments, Marilyn would want an award engraved with the words, Devoted Mother and Caring Nurse. The La Crosse community surely benefits from Marilyn’s loving dedication...

Marilyn is a retired nurse and fills her additional time with volunteer work. View interview by Emily.

“Give 100% effort in your life.” Bobbi Vandenberg believes and models this in her life as she teaches young people. Interview by Garrett.

“Give your best effort.” A four-word motto that Bobbi Vandenberg can’t stress enough. Whether it’s playing various sports or coaching athletes, Bobbi has shown that she truly lives by her motto. Bobbi is an amazing athlete who doesn’t just play sports. She takes it steps further by creating a passion and a need for teamwork, sportsmanship, and competition. Bobbi participates in athletics like she can’t live without it. Docudrama by Garrett.

Sandra is a well-respected nurse at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital, as well as, an active volunteer supporting charities like the Children’s Miracle Network and American Cancer Society. She belongs to many local organizations that give back to the community and takes on a variety of assignments at the hospital. From the pulmonary clinic to coordinating operations, Sandra can do it all. Docudrama by Marissa.

Sandra works in the nursing and healthcare departments at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse. She is involved in numerous local volunteer activities and belongs to many organizations. Interview by Marissa.

Kathryn dedicated her career to the School District of La Crosse. She was an outstanding teacher that children loved dearly, and she had a knack for knowing just what they needed. Her work as a Curriculum Supervisor was innovative, insightful, and forward thinking. She is highly revered by all those who worked with her. View docudrama by Alyson.

Kathryn was an outgoing, out standing woman praised by her co-workers as an excellent model of an educational executive. View Interview of Ruth Kielley about Kathryn Cappelen (1923-2007) by Carter.

Betty works diligently to ensure that the La Crosse community has a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of art. Betty has used her vast knowledge to teach appreciation of the creative gifts that have been bestowed upon us. Betty shows that by living in a community, or even traveling somewhere abroad, the artist deep inside of us can emerge simply by appreciating the local talent that the area has to offer. Docudrama by La Sharra.

Betty is an art teacher and Behind the Brewery Gallery owner. Interview by La Sharra.

After earning a college degree in nursing, Nancy joined the United States Navy and was commissioned on the docks of her hometown. During the years of Operation Desert Storm, Nancy courageously spread comfort, strength, and hope to all the patients she encountered in the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. She looks back on her years of military service and is proud of the difference she made in the lives of her patients. Deservedly, Nancy was awarded the U.S. Navy’s Accommodation Medal before being...

Nancy Henckel was a United States Navy nurse during Operation Desert Storm and served our country by saving lives at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Interview by Kevin.

Marcia Jagdozinske has been the president and CEO of Riverfront Incorporated for many years. Since her involvement, it has grown in size and expanded across both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Marcia models her life by a quote of her father’s,“I have five years of things to do and not much time left to do it.” Riverfront is a round-the-clock job but gives Marcia a full, rewarding life. Positively, Marcia never looks at the past because she is too busy looking at what the future holds. Docudrama by...

Marcia provides assistance for people living with disabilities through her work with Riverfront, Inc., a non-profit organization serving 55 counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Interview by Lesley.

Mary Lu Gerke graduated from college with a nursing degree. Her excellence in the medical profession was honored by a two-time election as Nurse of the Year. As a well respected person in our community, Mary knows that she has made the right choices in her nursing career and credits the many people who influenced her along the way. Docudrama by Josh.

Mary serves as vice president of Clinical Operations at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital and is a respected leader and member of various La Crosse community organizations. Interview by Josh.

Sheila devotes her time and energy to the community of La Crosse to form an exceptional place for living and raising a family. Sheila is the executive director of the La Crosse Community Foundation and has served as La Crosse's 9th District County Board Supervisor. Sheila volunteers and takes care of her own three children. She has an impressive way of turning negative situations into positives. Docudrama by Kaylee.