Donor Stories

From humble beginnings to hopeful futures Signs of George and Betty Kruck’s generosity and deep belief in the life-changing power of education run throughout the Greater La Crosse community. Both of them attribute the opportunities they’ve had in life to public education. Betty, the daughter of Fred and Lillian Mitchell, grew up on a small […]

Channeling Philanthropic Gift Requires Thought Nicholas Padesky had always considered himself fortunate. When his parents, Tim Padesky and Tara Johnson, informed him of their intention to commemorate his Central High School graduation with a gift to the La Crosse Community Foundation, Padesky was overwhelmed with gratitude. The news was heartwarming, yet it also presented Padesky […]

When the La Crosse Community Foundation team was discussing nominations for this year’s Forever Friends Award, the Franks immediately came to mind. They were among the first people to start a donor-advised fund at the foundation back in 1995, and before that, they had already established a charitable remainder trust to benefit the foundation after […]

Designated Fund Spotlight The Heather & Stephen Ross and Maureen & Robert Freedland La Crosse Public Education Foundation Fund for Diversity Education was established in November of 2021 for the purpose of providing diversity education opportunities for the students in the School District of La Crosse. Diversity education promotes empathy, reduces prejudice, and enriches students’ […]

The Borton Construction Scholarship Fund was established by the founders of Borton Construction, Paul and Melissa Borsheim, in 2008 to support continued education in construction-related fields such as engineering, drafting, design, or other trade areas.

Wayne and Joan Spieker Wojciechowski Memorial Fund Wayne Wojciechowski established the Wayne and Joan Spieker Wojciechowski Memorial Fund in 2021 to honor the passing of his beloved wife, Joan. The fund is designated to provide financial support for the needs of St. Clare Health Mission of La Crosse upon Wayne’s passing. Where their stories begin […]

Honoring a life that loved his furry friends The Scott Henke Memorial Fund for the Care and Shelter of Animals was established by his father Paul and sister Nicole following Scott’s passing in 2016. The fund is designated to support the care of animals in shelters as a meaningful way to honor the memory of […]

The Marian Mieden Early Childhood Education Scholarship was established as a memorial to her. Her passion in life was to educate young children. This scholarship was established in 2009, in order to continue her work in preparing and developing early childhood educators.  Marian worked teaching kindergarten in the Onalaska School District and at the UW-L […]

Agency Fund Spotlight – La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association David Bell Memorial Fund The La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association David Bell Memorial Fund was established in 2020 to provide annual support to the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association. The fund name honors the integral role David Bell played as the leader in Russia promoting the […]