2005 Mayor's Medal Recipients

Individuals honored with Mayor Medals of Honor are, left to right:  Alena Wenker,

Shirley Tetzloff, Bob Tetzloff, Meghan Houlihan, Berniece Kuehn, Dick Conroy,

Louise Hager, Kathy Roemhildt, Wayne Ingebritson and Al Peterson.

(Photo by Jay Schneider, September 2005)

Elysian Mayor's Medals of Honor awarded for 2005

 Published October 6, 2005    

 The Elysian Enterprise

 by Jay Schneider, Editor

 LIFE/Enterprise

     For the third consecutive year, Elysian Mayor Mack Evans honored community people for various reasons during the Elysian Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Appreciation event held Wednesday at the American Legion Club Rooms.

      Mayor Evans awarded his Mayor's Medals to a dozen individuals who have volunteered their services throughout the year.

      He started this recognition with 15 medals awarded in 2003, 20 more in 2004 and 12 in 2005.

      Each person recognized for their outstanding volunteer service to the community was selected for a different reason.

      "Everyone chosen does something different throughout the year," Mayor Evans said. "Some of the people that were recognized work in the concession stands, some participate in numerous fundraisers in the community, and some were selected for different reasons."

      Evans said he now gets frequent phone calls from locals who give him suggestions on who to honor.  He contends that his awards are completely decided by himself.

      Those chosen this year included:

The Thirsty Beaver -Tom Graham:  Graham was honored for a number of things, including his Miss Elysian sponsorship and the blacktopping of the lot next to his business which he made into a parking lot for anyone to use.  "This makes the city look a lot nicer," Evans said.

Erdie's Car and Pet Wash (Daryl and Kris Erdman):  Evans gave kudos to the new business in Elysian.  He stated he and his wife use the pet wash quite often and it has been a very good addition to the city. 

Alena Wenker:  Wenker took over the job of keeping track of the thousands of Elysian 4th of July tickets.  Evans said this year they sold the most they ever have and he is sure that Wenker will again take on this very important job in 2006. 

Wayne Ingebritson:  "What a guy to have in this community," Evans said about Ingebritson, who has been a familiar sight working at the bullhead feeds and during the Elysian 4th of July Parade.

Kathy Roemhildt:  Roemhildt is the owner of The Pit Stop and the liquor store next door.  She volunteers services and all kinds of free stuff from the store to many individuals and organizations.  "She donates to many benefits," Evans said.  "She seems to give to everybody." 

Dick Conroy:  Evans said Conroy walks the trail and the city very early in the morning and always lends a helping hand by picking up litter.  "This town would be littered with trash if it weren't for Dick," Evans said. 

Louise Hager:  Hager is in charge of the ladies with the Legion which Evans said is a time consuming job.  "She gives a lot to this community," Evans added. 

Meghan Houlihan:  Evans said he was going to break tradition of giving honors to adults when he awarded Houlihan, a WEM freshman, with her medal.  He said she has worked on so many committees, is a heck of a worker and is an asset to the city and the WEM High School. 

Bob and Shirley Tetzloff:  Evans said the Tetzloffs are both very active members of the community including working at bullhead feeds, the Miss Elysian Pageant and the Legion and Legion Auxiliary.  "A lot of things wouldn't be done if it weren't for these two," Evans said. 

Al Peterson:  Al is the Mankato Wal Mart general manager who has helped the Elysian Sons of American Legion with matching funds from their 4th of July brat stand.  Wal Mart has matched $500 in funds. 

Berniece Kuehn:  Kuehn was the Grand Marshal of the 4th of July celebration.  Evans said she is one heck of a volunteer who is involved in so many different activities in the community.

Reprinted with permission