Le Mars Community School Foundation receives $1 million bequest
The Le Mars Community Schools Foundation has announced a $1 million gift. The bequest was received from the Fornoff Family Living Trust.
Barbara Jane Fornoff passed away in January of 2022 after a long illness. She was born and raised in Le Mars. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Hart, and sister, Betty Schipper Wells. Upon Barbara’s death, the Foundation received $20,000 to be used for the LCHS Athletic and Music Departments. Following the death of Barbara Fornoff’s son in August of 2025, the School Foundation was named to receive the one-million-dollar bequest from the trust which has now been received.
Dr. Steve Webner, Superintendent of the Le Mars Community School District expressed his appreciation, stating “On behalf of the entire school community, I want to thank the Fornoff family for this extraordinary $1 million gift. Investments like this one provide the opportunity to change the trajectory of student lives.”
Foundation President Zachary Lancaster echoed Dr. Webner’s thoughts, saying “I want to express our deepest gratitude to the Fornoff family for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to the students and families of Le Mars Community Schools. A gift of $1 million is truly transformational and will have a lasting impact on our schools and our community for generations to come. The Fornoff family’s gift is an incredible investment in the future of our students, and we cannot thank them enough for their donation.”
The LCS Foundation board will consider how the bequest will be used in future meetings.
