Lake Mills has its 10th Relay For Life

By Helen Mansfield for the Daily Times
Monday, July 30, 2007 12:32 PM CDT

Honorary Chairwoman Kathryn Banbury and her father, Herb Mueller, lead the survivors’ lap around Commons Park at Lake Mills Relay For Life. (Rachel Primmer/Daily Times)

LAKE MILLS - Amid thank yous all around and the closing strains of Lana Anhalt's harp music from the bandstand, the American Cancer Society's Lake Mills 10th annual Relay For Life came to a close in Commons Park Saturday at 11 a.m.

“It was very successful,” spokeswoman Joyce Kuhl said. “Although we didn't have as many walking teams as usual, they did well.” The total raised was $62,933.25, but there will be additional amounts turned in later.

Top fund-raiser teams are TT's Timeout, $20,219.95; Jim's Cheese/Dunneisen Excavation, $5,866.33; and Patti's Beauty Salon, $3,522. Top individuals are John Clarke of Jim's Cheese Team, $1,155.25; Joyce Kuhl of the same team, $1,175; and Patti Larrabee of Zastrow/Patti's, $1,262.

Master of ceremonies Bill Beckman gave special acknowledgment to the Roger Dehnert memorial fund for the gift of $600.

“I am so pleased with seeing the community turn out the way it has to support this thing,” said Kari Liotta of the American Cancer Society. “Thank you for the entire night ... The money will help support the network of services, the network of caregivers and will have an effect on people who will never have cancer because of you.”

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Beckman said he had been thinking about this caring community and his first years when he moved to Lake Mills from Indiana. On a family trip down there, his 6-year-old son, Matt, asked, “Are we home yet?” But later on a trip back from there Matt asked, “Are we home yet?”

“I knew that his heart had made the change from Indiana to Wisconsin and this was home,” Beckman said. “I don't know which dollar is going to bring the breakthrough, like penicillin and the Salk vaccine against polio.”

He said he doesn't know which dollar will bring the breakthrough, but it will all become a pyramid, and somewhere out there the peak will be passed, and it's going to make a difference and cancer will be conquered.

“We light our candles. We remember our loved ones. We pray for a better tomorrow for all ... because we care,” he said.

Samantha Draeger closed the ceremony singing “I'll Be Seeing You.”

Kuhl thanked all who had participated in any way in the event but said this would be her last year as chairwoman of the event. However, she will continue to help those that follow her.

Her committee for 2007 included Wayne Britzke, team development; Abby Hall, online; Jenny Spoke, logistics; Heidi Illes, silent auction; Mary Ellen Vinz, sponsorship; Sheryl Schroeder, survivorship; Bank of Lake Mills, registration; Joyce Kuhl, luminaria; and Carol Hofer, Jackie Smith, Jason Nickels, Martha Pearson, Dianne Schroeder and Cindy Wolff.

Cancer survivors Kathryn Banbury and her father, Herb Mueller, 93, were this year's honorary chairmen.

Kuhl invited those willing to help next year to join the committee to help plan, promote and produce the next event.

If interested, contact Michelle Povlich at (608) 662-7572.

The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

The money raised from the 20-hour walking on Friday and Saturday, the silent auction, various activities and food sales carrying out the theme “Recipe for a Cure” will go to research, education, advocacy and services.

The evening ended with Kuhl leading the victory lap around the park.