Quality of Life
Leadership Awards
Presentation and Dinner
Saturday, April 23, 2016
SentryWorld Grand Hall
6 p.m.
Saint Michael’s Foundation’s MISSION
is to develop, manage and grant
charitable support to meet the health
care needs of the community.
Saint Michael’s Foundation’s VISION
is to enhance the quality of health care
services for the patients and families
served by Ministry Saint Michael’s
Hospital and Ministry Medical Group.
ORDINARY MIRACLES.
Every Day.
Quality of Life
Leadership Awards
Presentation and Dinner
Saturday, April 23, 2016
SentryWorld Grand Hall
EVENING’S SCHEDULE
6 p.m.Social Hour and Cash Bar
7 p.m. Welcome, Invocation and Dinner
Angie Heuck, Director,
Saint Michael’s Foundation
Sister Sandy Setterlund,
Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital
8 p.m. Program
Introduction – Charles Nason,
Master of Ceremonies
Quality of Life Leadership Awards
• Ray Nass presented by Gerry O’Brien
• Sue Wilcox presented by David Worth
• Louis Wysocki presented by Nick Somers
Closing Remarks – Charles Nason
2016 QUALITY OF LIFE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
RECIPIENT
For over half a century Ray Nass and his wife, Mary,
have cheered on Marquette University’s basketball
squad from the bleachers. The interest was sparked
by a teaching role at the school and a chance
encounter with famed coach Al McGuire, but
Ray—a devout Catholic—says the long-term loyalty
is fueled by faith.
“I love their fight song, too,” he adds.
Ray Nass
Presented by
Gerry O’Brien
Doctor Joseph and
Charlene Jarabek
Endowment Fund
Golden Eagles hoops hooked Ray after he ventured
west from the Quad Cities to earn a B.S. in English
from Regis University in Denver, where he fell in
love with Mary. Following the teaching assistantship
at Marquette, he joined his wife’s family furniture
manufacturing business in 1959.
Over the course of 32 years—22 of which were
spent as president and chairman—Ray helped transition Joerns Healthcare
into a market leader in hospital beds and resident furniture. In 1991, he
moved on to serve as the CEO of a manufacturer of health care facility
bathing systems until his retirement in 2001.
Ray has served on a number of boards over the years, including the
American Seating Company, Citizen’s National Bank/Marine Bank/Bank
One, Spectra Print Corp., Schierl Companies, Heinemann’s Restaurants,
and Viterbo University.
A variety of community, civic, and church groups have also benefitted from
his volunteer work, such as Operation Bootstrap, Stevens Point YMCA,
Stevens Point Serra Club, Portage County United Way, Pacelli High School,
Portage County Library Foundation, Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools,
and Saint Stephen Parish.
Ray’s creative talents have blended together with volunteerism as he
authored or co-authored full-length plays and skits produced for community
fundraisers benefitting Habitat for Humanity, the Community Foundation,
Mid State Epilepsy Association and Pacelli Panacea Community Capers.
A frequent guest speaker on business ethics, Ray’s love of writing also led to
the self-publishing of Are They Counting Business?—a book that examines
the ethics of U.S. corporate culture in relation to the New Testament and
shares the story of Joerns Healthcare.
The Stevens Point Junior Chamber of Commerce named Ray its
Distinguished Citizen Award in 1982. He received the Brother
James Miller Award for Peace and Justice from the Diocese of La
Crosse in 1998 and the Catholic School Distinguished Graduate
Award from the National Catholic Education Association in 2000.
The son of a farmer who became president of the National Farmers
Organization, Ray credits his father’s belief in social justice and his
Catholic education for instilling the desire to give back.
“I did the things I did because it’s just such an honor to be asked,”
he says, “and it’s an honor to be asked by organizations that are
so dynamic and so innovative and so imaginative that do such
wonderful things in Stevens Point, which is one of the greatest
places in the world.”
When Ray and Mary aren’t busy enjoying their beloved hometown
or a game at the Bradley Center, they’re likely soaking up some
quality time with their five children and fifteen grandchildren at a
family cottage in Waupaca.
Community Activities
• Joerns Furniture Company, President, Board
of Directors
• American Seating Company, Board of
Directors
• Citizens National Bank, Marine Bank, Bank
One, Board of Directors
• Spectra Print Corporation, Board of Directors
• Sunrise Medical, Executive Management
Committee
• Heinemann’s Restaurants Company, Board
of Advisors
• State of Wisconsin Commission on State and
Local Affairs, Gubernatorial Appointee
• Viterbo University, Board of Trustees
• Operation Bootstrap Charter Founding and
Board of Directors
• Stevens Point YMCA Charter Founding and
Board of Directors President
• Pacelli High School Foundation Drive Chair
• Stevens Point Sierra Club, Board of Directors
President
• Pacelli High School Board of Directors
President
• Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools,
Co-Drive Chair, 3 Capital Campaigns
• Stevens Point Area Catholic Schools,
Endowment Trust Board, Strategic
Planning Committee
• Portage County United Way, Drive Chair,
Board of Directors
• Portage County Library Foundation,
Co-Drive Chair
• Junior Achievement, Board of Directors,
Drive Chair
• Saint Stephen Parish, Co-Drive Chair
Capital Campaign
• Author/ Co-Author of Plays for Pacelli High
School Community Capers
• The Community Foundation, Habitat for
Humanity, Mid State Epilepsy Association
• Distinguished Citizen Award, Stevens Point
Jaycees
• Brother James Miller Award for Peace and
Justice, Diocese of La Crosse
• Catholic School Distinguished Graduate
Award, National Catholic Education
Association, Washington, D.C.
• Saint Michael’s Foundation, Charter Member
2016 QUALITY OF LIFE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
RECIPIENT
When Sue Wilcox peers into her crystal ball, she
spots a version of herself converting shed into
shop and trying her hand at woodworking. For
now, though, she’s happy to hop on her bike
and hit the open road whenever the opportunity
allows.
Sue Wilcox
Presented by
David Worth
Greatest Need Fund
Aside from the occasional motorcycle ride, her
feet are firmly rooted in the area she’s come
to call home. A small town gal originally from
Oconomowoc, it was her parents’ way of life
that initially inspired her. “They demonstrated
every day how important community is, how
important giving back is, and how important
volunteering is,” she says.
Sue soon observed a familiar phenomenon when she stepped onto
campus at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to study political
science and public administration. “I saw it in my parents and in my
family, and then I came here and saw it in the people of Portage
County,” she says. “It was just contagious.”
As her college career wound down a job offer took her back to the
Milwaukee area, but in an effort to shape the direction of her future Sue
left many of her belongings behind. “What I wanted more than anything
was to live in Portage County,” she says. “I knew that this was the
community that I wanted to become a part of.”
Those dreams were soon realized when she joined the United Way of
Portage County in 1989, serving first as the organization’s director of
planning and allocations and then as associate executive director. Sue
took the helm as executive director in 1998 and continues to enjoy
making connections between the business community, the residents of
Portage County and the area’s health and human services needs.
Her role with United Way also brought her together with Ministry
Saint Michael’s Hospital and its Foundation. The first drive chair
she ever worked with was Jeff Martin, Ministry Health Care Vice
President and Saint Michael’s Hospital President, she recalls.
Since then she has had the opportunity to work hand in hand with
Foundation Director Angie Heuck and plenty of other talented,
caring members of the Saint Michael’s team.
“We live in an amazing community, and all that I’ve really
done is become a part—one small part—of a very generous
community,” she says. “I feel fortunate every day to be a part
of United Way and to live here.”
Sue has been active with the Portage County Business
Council, and in 2008 she received the President’s Award for
her commitment to volunteerism and making improvements
to local quality of life. She has also been a member of the
United Way of Wisconsin board of directors since 2006 and
currently serves as board president.
She is quick to spread any recognition among dedicated
volunteers, board members, drive chairs, and fellow staff
members. “This is not about me,” she adds. “It’s really not.
I just get the opportunity to work with many caring, kind,
compassionate human beings.”
Community Activities
• Portage County Business Council,
President’s Award
• United Way of Wisconsin Board of Directors
• Portage County Business Council Board of
Directors
• Portage County Executive Committee
• PCHHS Fostercare Recruitment
Committee
• Academy of Letters and Science
2016 QUALITY OF LIFE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
RECIPIENT
It didn’t take long for the world to catch a glimpse
of Louis’s leadership skills. When the speaker at
a legislative water use hearing asked if anyone
wanted to testify, the then high school junior stood
up and spoke his mind.
Louis Wysocki
Presented by
Nick Somers
Hospice Fund
Shortly after that pivotal moment Louis and his
brothers founded a farming business along with
their father in 1964, which has since evolved into
Wysocki Family of Companies—a Bancroft-based
business specializing in potatoes and onions.
Over the years, the United Way of Portage
County, Central Wisconsin Area Foundation, UWStevens Point College of Natural Resources, and
UWSP Foundation have all benefitted from Louis’s
time and talents.
“I live a mile away from where I was born,” he says, “and I’ve lived there
all my life.” While it may be true that he hasn’t strayed far from Custer,
the reach of Louis’s industry participation has extended well beyond the
borders of his hometown.
In addition to serving as general manager and CEO of his family
business, Louis co-founded the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board, became
a founding member of the United Potato Growers of Wisconsin, and
served as president of both the Wisconsin Agri-Business Council and
Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA).
On a national scale, Louis became a founding member of the United
Potato Growers of America, co-founded the National Potato Industry
Board, and served as president of the National Potato Council (NPC).
He also testified twice before the U.S. Congress on Perishable
Agricultural Commodities Act issues.
At his first Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer
Protection (DATCP) board meeting, Louis initiated changes to Wisconsin’s
Agricultural Marketing Act, which unlocked a 35-year stalemate and led
to the creation of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board—now famous for
its “Got Milk?” slogan.
During 19 years of service to DATCP, Louis led the development of state
policy that regulated agricultural pesticides from contaminating ground
water and initiated revisions that controlled vegetable procurement
practices, resulting in a collaborative relationship between
producers and processors.
He also fought for legislative changes that defined competing
landowners’ rights and resulted in the peaceful co-existence of
the cranberry industry’s migration into irrigated vegetable farming
operations and updated DATCP’s regulations to make them more
cohesive and understandable.
Louis has received the Distinguished Service Award from UWSP,
the Industry Appreciation Award from DATCP, and twice earned the
President’s and Gold Potato Awards from the NPC. The WPVGA named
him Grower of the Year in 1988, inducted him into its Hall of Fame in
1992, and presented him with President’s Awards for Lifetime of Advice
and Trust in 2002 and for Teaching and Coaching in 2012.
A lifetime member of Sacred Heart-Saint Martin’s Parish,
Louis and Avis—his wife of 58 years—have enjoyed dancing,
traveling and sharing their lives with five children, seventeen
grandchildren, and a growing number of great-grandchildren.
Following his retirement in 1997, Louis has remained busy
restoring pre-WWII cars, trucks and potato equipment.
Community Activities
• Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers
Association (WPVGA) President
• National Potato Industry Board (PIB)
Co-Founder
• National Potato Research and Education
Foundation Chairman
• U.S. Congress Advisory Committee –
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
(P.A.C.A.) Revisions Committee Appointee
• American Grocers Association Uniform
Product Code Committee
• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade,
and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Board of
Directors Chairman
• Wisconsin Potato Industry Board Chairman
• National Potato Council (NPC) President
• United Potato Growers of America (UPG
of A) Founding Member
• United Potato Growers of Wisconsin
Founding Member
• Wisconsin Agri-Business Council President
• Wisconsin Agri-Business Foundation Founder
and Board of Trustees Chairman
• Lost Creek Water Control District Chief
Operating Officer
• Little Plover River Restoration and
Conservancy Plan Co-Conceiver
• United Way of Portage County Board of
Directors
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
College of Natural Resources Board of Visitors,
Land Use Planning Committee Chairman,
Distinguished Service Award
• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Foundation Board of Directors,
Emeritus Director
• Central Wisconsin Area Foundation
2016 FUND SELECTION
Each year the Quality of Life Leadership Award
honorees select a fund close to their heart to
benefit from all gifts made in their honor.
The three funds selected by tonight’s honorees include:
Doctor Joseph and Charlene
Jarabek Endowment Fund
Supports the greatest need of patients
and families served by Ministry Saint
Michael’s Hospital and Ministry
Medical Group.
Gifts in honor of Ray Nass will benefit the Doctor
Joseph and Charlene Jarabek Endowment Fund.
Greatest Need Fund
Unrestricted support to programs and services
that improve the quality of health care services
to patients and families we serve.
Gifts in honor of Sue Wilcox will benefit the Greatest Need Fund.
Hospice Fund
Support to subsidize the cost of hospice care for any
patient not able to afford the service. Also used for
training and education of Hospice staff and volunteers.
Gifts in honor of Louis Wysocki will benefit the Hospice Fund.
For more information about these funds, or to see a complete list
of funds available at the Saint Michaels Foundation, please visit
ministryhealth.org/SMH/Foundation.nws
THANK YOU
Saint Michael’s Foundation extends its sincerest
appreciation to the Community Leadership Celebration
Steering Committee. This evening’s success is due to the
time and talent they generously gave to this event.
Thank you to the Board of Directors and
Community Leadership Celebration Planning Committee
for your continued leadership, guidance and support.
SAINT MICHAEL’S FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016
Ryan Andrews, MD
London Cooper, DDS
Dewey Gantz
Jeanne Herder
Cliff King
Joe Kinsella
Jeff Lutgen
Jeff Martin
Jeff Meyers
Michael Munagian, MD
Patty Noel
Michelle Peariso
(Chair)
Jaime Potopinski
Michelle Rice
Don Scaffidi
Christopher (Kit) Swiecki, MD
(Vice-Chair)
Hans Vetter
2016 COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CELEBRATION
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Mary Berard
Marg Coker-Nelson
Kathy Davies
Mark Fenlon, MD
John Jury
Jeff Martin
Chuck Nason
Patty Noel
Don Peters
Kevin Rueder
Jim Schuh
Bob Williams
Saint Michael’s Foundation would also
like to thank our presenting sponsors
whose generous support made this
evening’s celebration possible.
For more information about Saint Michael’s Foundation,
the Community Leadership Celebration or becoming an
event sponsor at a future event, please contact Jenna Furger,
Annual Giving & Special Events Coordinator, at
[email protected]
or 715.346.5349.
900 Illinois Avenue Stevens Point, WI 54481 • 715.343.3259
ministryhealth.org/SMH/Foundation.nws