GEHLEN BALL RAISES OVER $270,000

With last week’s snowfall, the LeMars area embraced spring with “A Night at the Masters,” the 31st annual Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball on Saturday at the LeMars Convention Center.

The Friends of Gehlen Ball were able to raise $272,935.20 for the local Catholic school during the special event (a new record).

To date, the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball has donated in 31 years a total of $4,471,339.57.

In keeping with their theme, More than 50 items were available for guests to bid on during the silent auction.

The auction featured five clusters on two flights including Gehlen, Spalding, & Religious; Spirit; Trips & Travel; Wine & Dining; & Treat Yourself! The top bidders of the night included:

  • Name the Gym – Deb Campbell Gym;
  • $2,500 tuition voucher – Steve & Danna Schuster;
  • Life of the Party Tailgates – Bob & Lisa Puetz & the 4-W’s;
  • Black Hills Cabin – Bill & Beth Schlichte & Bob & Carol Livermore;
  • Major League Baseball Tickets – Dan & Lori Rexwinkel.

Afterwards, the guests were treated to 2 floors of entertainment featuring DJ Lenny Brazil (Remsen) upstairs & the Johnny Holms Band downstairs.

The crowd at the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball laughed when PK-6th grade Principal, Mrs. Lorie Nussbaum, was asked to ad lib due to the tardiness of the check presentation. Little did Mrs. Nussbaum or the crowd know of the exciting news awaiting to be announced as Mr. Dick Ahlers has accepted the challenge to name the next level of giving thanks to his generous donation of over $15,000 to this year’s Ball. 

This year’s Peter J. Gehlen Spirit Award was awarded to Patricia Ryan & Elizabeth Jean Hermes, two sisters who emulate the principles, which the Gehlen’s founded the Church & school on through their commitment to “Faith, Values, Service & Academic Excellence.

A surprised Pat Ryan & Jean Hermes were presented the Spirit of Peter & Catherine Gehlen Awards.

Lisa Niebuhr, Development Director at Gehlen Catholic High School says Patricia was a teacher at Gehlen Catholic for six years, and continues to remain active in the church and the community today:

Niebuhr went on to add that Pat is not the type of person to do for others just to be recognized.

The other young lady the Friends of Gehlen Ball recognized was Elizabeth Jean Hermes. Like her sister, Jean recognizes the importance of faith, values, and service.

Jean’s greatest passions were helping with funeral dinners & volunteering in the nursing home when her father could no longer be cared for at home.

Niebuhr believes that these two sister’s remind us all to live our lives committed to faith, values, and academic excellence.

2018 General Chairs (left to right):  Aaron & Mandy Weiland & Andrea & Curt Dreckman were the 2018 Chairs for the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball.

2018 Committee:  A “Master-ful” Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball went into the record books thanks to the leadership of this year’s chairs & co-chairs. (Front row, left to right): Drew & Ali Bickford, Brian & Alyssa Castle, Kristin & Curt Anthony, & Miranda & Jay Bickford (all from LeMars), were the 2018 Chairs & Co-Chairs for the Personal & Spring Raffle Drives. (Back row, left to right): The Weilands & Dreckmans (center) were also assisted by their General Co-Chairs, Scott (’94) & Kerri Hoffman of Merrill (far left) & Margie & Bob Augustine (far right).

Claire Zubrod shared with the Ball’s guests how the Gehlen Catholic family provided support to her & her family earlier in the week when 2 of her sisters were injured in a car accident.

A grateful Jordan Von Arb thanked his parents, the two school’s parishioners, faculty & staff for their investment. Jordan has learned more about his faith & put it into action through the school’s many service projects including his recent trip to Honduras.  

Gehlen Catholic graduate, Kandace Gerdes, returned home from Denver for the Ball once again this year.  As a judge, Kandace relies upon the teachings she learned as a Gehlen Catholic student every day.

PK-6th grade Principal, Mrs. Lorie Nussbaum (left) smiled as Margie Augustine (center) on behalf of the Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball shared the announcement of this year’s Friends of Gehlen Catholic Ball.  Mr. Jeff Alesch (right) (from Alton) & Rev. Bruce Lawler (far right) beamed as another record was broken Saturday night.