Committee

June Braith - Committee Member - from April 10, 2014, to June 19 2020
June oversaw the display case. She created displays such as POW, letters from home, KIA, and many others. She was also our first story writer having entered, written, and edited nearly 400 soldiers. Her husband Tim was a tremendous, tremendous help to June. Tim was a Vietnam ERA Vet. (See his story in the registry.)

Norville Luebke - Director - from December 14, 2013, to June 25 2019
Norville was a committee member and was one of the first Board of Directors and Vice President. He was a Korean War Vet. (See his story in the registry). Norville was on the committee from the beginning helping with securing the land, designing the memorial and the job he is best known for is securing a lot of the funding for building the monument. Norville passed away on June 25, 2019, while he was still on the committee.

Dick Gustafson - Committee Member – from August 22, 2016, to December 26, 2020
Dick was a big supporter of the memorial in many ways, encouraging family members and others to help. He had a way of making you feel good, like saying nice job. I like that and even added a little humor. Dick was a Korean Vet. Dick passed away on December 26, 2020, while he was still on the committee.

Nathan Johnson - Committee Member - from August 18, 2016
Nathan served for a brief time on the committee. He was also a writer of stories for the registry and assisting his Legion (Watertown) with their pavers and stories. Nathan was an Army Vet. (See his story in the registry).

Lowell Wasser - Director – from December 14, 2013, to December 31 2020
Lowell was a committee member and one of the first Board of Directors and Treasurer. Lowell was a detailed treasurer. He was responsible for money from fundraisers, donations, paver sales and miscellaneous money income. He collaborated closely with the Carver County Community Foundation, which gave us our 501-3c status. Lowell was in the service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. (See his story in the registry).

Dan Steinhagen - Committee Member and Advisor – from October 22, 2014
Dans many years as Carver County Veterans Service Officer, community and Veteran supporter brought to the table expertise and guidance that was very valuable. Dan was a pre-Vietnam Veteran. (See his story in the registry). Dan has donated his military collection to the Carver County Veterans Memorial and Registry.

Karen Geruntho - Committee Member - from May 19 2020
Karen used her creative talents for a brief time as our display case arranger. She resigned on April 15, 2021, due to other commitments.

Doug Watson - Committee Member - from December 14, 2013, to present
Doug is a committee member and one of the first Board of Directors. Doug’s main responsibility was creating and maintaining the soldier’s registry and website. Doug is a veteran. He is still active on the committee providing updates to the Registry. (See his story in the registry).

Dave Hubert - Committee Member - from November 22, 2013, to present
Dave is a lawyer. His responsibility is to take care of all the legal work. Dave is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).

Randy Sorenson - Director – from June 9, 2021, to present
Randy is the newest member on the board of directors. He has helped with fundraising and securing pavers for all current and past veteran that served on the Waconia Fire Department. Randy is a Veteran.(See his story in the registry).

Kristin Iverson - Committee Member - from June 18, 2014 to present
Kristin helped with fundraisers, but her main job was to obtain our own 501-3c status (non-profit status) and maintaining it.

Shirley Hasse - Committee Member – from July 7, 2014 to present
Shirley will help with wherever she is needed.

Rich Cohrs - Director - from May 5, 2015, to present
Rich was the project manager for the building of the Monument and continues to be that person for up coming projects being planned. Rich is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).

Myron Taylor - Director – from December 14, 2013, to present
Myron is a committee member and one of the first Board of Directors and our secretary. Myron was on the Mayer City Council and talked about a Veterans Memorial for the Vets in the Mayer area. His idea became a reality after he talked with Stan Heldt, who had the same vision. Besides keeping the records, Myron has helped in every aspect of building and maintaining the Memorial and registry. Myron is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).

Scott Wakefield - Committee Member – from November 4, 2014, to present
Scott is a committee member and our treasurer. Scott was appointed on December 31, 2020, to be the committee treasurer upon Lowell Wasser’s retirement. Scott’s job is to maintain the check book, investments, process paver applications and pay the bills.

Fred Bleedorn - Committee Member - from July 12, 2021, to present
Fred is our newest committee member. Fred’s main job is creating and implementing the deceased Veterans flag memorial program. Fred is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).

Sandy Heldt - Committee Member – from June 2014 to present
Sandy is an all-around helper and secretary. Her many duties include dealing with families and Veterans purchase their pavers and typing in the stories. Sandy is a mom and the wife of veteran Stan Heldt.

Beth (Heldt) Schrupp - Committee Member - from April 15, 2016, to present
Beth’s job is to maintain the Memorial and Registry presence on social media and Facebook and marketing.

Charlie Heldt - Director – from December 14, 2013, to present
Charlie is a committee member and one of the first Board of Directors. Charlie was also one of the visionaries for the Memorial, in fact he drew up the first concept of the Memorial. Charlie has been involved in every phase of the project. He also designed and installed all the lighting at the Memorial and parking lot. Charlie is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).

Stan Heldt - Director - from December 14, 2013, to present
Stan is a committee member and one of the first Board of Directors and Chairman of the Committee. Stan was one of the visionaries for the Memorial and Registry along with Myron and Charlie. His job was to recruit help, encourage and motivate his multi talented group of volunteers. Stan is blessed to have his family work on this project with him. Stan is a Veteran. (See his story in the registry).