Fred Nelson sees an important link between the economy of Viroqua and Western. “The more skilled and better educated people we have, the more prosperous a community we have, meaning a higher standard of living for all of us,” said Nelson, former owner and president...

The members of the lodge initiated the Frontier Lodge #45 Masonic Scholarship in 1988 to assist second-year students in associate degree programs in reaching their educational objectives. Donald Fowler and Phillip Bouffleur, past masters representing the Lodge,...

Joseph B. Funke, Born in Prussia, came to America in 1853. Settling in Reads Landing, Minnesota, where he and his wife, Elizabeth Lampe of Galena, Illinois, had eleven children. Their oldest son Joseph B. Funke came to La Crosse in 1883 and founded the Funke and...

As former president of the Jackson County Bank in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, Gil Homstad understands both the value and cost of a good education. “Scholarships are important because education is very expensive today,” he said. Homstad has established a scholarship...

In 1969 the Board of Grandview Hospital voted to utilize the assets from the liquidation of the Grandview Hospital to establish the Grandview Henke Foundation. The purpose is for promoting education for young people for the medical health care system. Since 1969 the...

What began over 105 years ago as a supplier of precision gauges to the automotive industry has evolved into being an industry leader in the manufacture of product branding, automotive cockpit trim and decorative appliance trim. Value-added services include in-house...

Strong Work Ethic …Harold Craig starting working at a very early age. By age 12, he was on his own, working on a farm. At age 16, he began a long and varied career in the manufacturing industry. He started out as a machine operator at Trane Company during the height...

Harold R. Quandahl, Sparta Businessman, entrepreneur, community leader, and a devoted husband and father, made lasting contributions to Kwik Trip, Inc. and his community during his lifetime. Harry joined Kwik Trip in 1984 after having been the successful owner and...

Henry Michaels was a typesetter at the La Crosse Tribune for 25 years. The last ten years of his employment was on the night shift while attending the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse during the days. After receiving a degree in Art Education and a masters in...

Hope and Roy Kumm were active in shaping the direction and growth of Western. Roy served on the board of the college for more than 20 years and as president of the board for nine years. Hope was one of the original members of the Foundation Board of Trustees....

Jack E. Proksch died unexpectedly in 1984. From the many gifts received in his memory, his parents, Ken and Shirley Proksch, former owners of the New Villa and Moxie’s restaurants, chose to establish a memorial fund to assist persons pursuing an education in the...

In existence since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to supporting the foodservice industry. WRA membership includes thousands of foodservice businesses representing virtually every size and style of...