74th Annual Celebration and Awards |
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You’re Invited!
74th Annual Celebration & Awards Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at LIFE Mower County FREE Meal at 5:30 PM, Meeting at 6:15 PM Join us for an evening of celebration, appreciation, and community as we honor the incredible people who make LIFE Mower County extraordinary. This special event recognizes our members, participants, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners whose dedication helps us continue our mission of Learning, Inclusion, Fun, and Empowerment. Event Highlights
Whether you are a participant, family member, supporter, donor, board member, or friend of LIFE Mower County, your presence makes this night complete. RSVP by Friday, March 27, 2026 507-433-8994 • [email protected] We look forward to celebrating with you as we honor 74 years of community, connection, and impact! |
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2026 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
2025 Award Recipients
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Caitlin DeVriendt
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Roger Mallan
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Michele Tate
2024 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin American Legion Post 91
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Vanessa Pettitt
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Beth Tobak
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Wendy Whalen
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Josh Dibble
2023 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Discover Austin
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Jon Baumgartner
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - United Way of Mower County
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Steve Barrett
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR - Barb Keist and Carol Schlichter
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Kelly May
2022 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Mower County Senior Center
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Alycia Newago
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Paul and Joanne Worlein & Family
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Dawn Helgeson
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Steven Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Lydia Benedict
2021 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hill, Larson, & Walth, P.A.
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Kersten Tollefson
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Kathleen Huffman
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Mary Barinka
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - John Gray
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Emily Johnson
2020 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hormel Historic Home
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Robin Corwin
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Tessa Bucknell
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Robert Corwin
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman
2019 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin Eagles Club - Aerie 703 and Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Brian Lewis
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - John Wright, KAUS
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - April VonRuden, Mower County 4-H
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Roger Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Angel Horvat and Steven Mallan
2018 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Amy Baskin, Austin Public Schools Community Education
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Noon Kiwanis of Austin
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Margaret (Margo) Bissen
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Julie Sucha
2017 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Reichel Foods, Tom Weichmann
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – George C. Percival
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Al Smith
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Jeff Baldus, Austin Area Foundation
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Crystal Steinbach
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Chad Johnson
2016 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Austin Hy-Vee Catering
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Joyce Flaherty
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Kathleen Huffman
PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR – Amy Blackstad and Jennifer Douty
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – John Gray
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Ashley Hanson
2015 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Austin Park and Recreation Department
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Jenny Spear
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Heidi Hillson at SEMCAC, Austin
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Beverly Atzl
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Roger Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Aubrey Birk
2014 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Echo Lanes
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Randy Blaser
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Linda Gibeau
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Sara Gilberg
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Laura Tjomsland
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Tyra Wiles and Roy Rolfson
2013 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – ABC 6 News KAAL
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Cardinal of Minnesota - Austin Staff
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – The Hormel Foundation
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Eileen Burkhart
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Linda Gibeau
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Jacob Reisnour
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
2025 Award Recipients
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Caitlin DeVriendt
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Roger Mallan
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Michele Tate
2024 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin American Legion Post 91
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Vanessa Pettitt
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Beth Tobak
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Wendy Whalen
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Josh Dibble
2023 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Discover Austin
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Jon Baumgartner
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - United Way of Mower County
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Steve Barrett
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR - Barb Keist and Carol Schlichter
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Kelly May
2022 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Mower County Senior Center
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Alycia Newago
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Paul and Joanne Worlein & Family
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Dawn Helgeson
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Steven Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Lydia Benedict
2021 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hill, Larson, & Walth, P.A.
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Kersten Tollefson
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Kathleen Huffman
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Mary Barinka
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - John Gray
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Emily Johnson
2020 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Hormel Historic Home
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Robin Corwin
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Tessa Bucknell
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Robert Corwin
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Laura Hoffman
2019 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Austin Eagles Club - Aerie 703 and Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - Brian Lewis
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - John Wright, KAUS
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - April VonRuden, Mower County 4-H
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Roger Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Angel Horvat and Steven Mallan
2018 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR - Amy Baskin, Austin Public Schools Community Education
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD - Noon Kiwanis of Austin
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Margaret (Margo) Bissen
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR - Julie Sucha
2017 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Reichel Foods, Tom Weichmann
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – George C. Percival
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Al Smith
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Jeff Baldus, Austin Area Foundation
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Crystal Steinbach
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Chad Johnson
2016 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Austin Hy-Vee Catering
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Joyce Flaherty
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Kathleen Huffman
PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR – Amy Blackstad and Jennifer Douty
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – John Gray
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Ashley Hanson
2015 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Austin Park and Recreation Department
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Jenny Spear
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Heidi Hillson at SEMCAC, Austin
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Beverly Atzl
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Roger Mallan
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Aubrey Birk
2014 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – Echo Lanes
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Randy Blaser
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Linda Gibeau
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Sara Gilberg
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Laura Tjomsland
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Tyra Wiles and Roy Rolfson
2013 Award Recipients
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR – ABC 6 News KAAL
DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Cardinal of Minnesota - Austin Staff
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – The Hormel Foundation
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – Eileen Burkhart
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – Linda Gibeau
ROBERT QUAL MEMORIAL SELF-ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR – Jacob Reisnour
