Family and Memorial Funds
Fred & Mary Stai Memorial Funds
My sisters and I found the BRF Area Foundation to be instrumental in helping us manage our parents’ memorial funds. Our parents, Fred and Mary Stai, were devoted to their family and friends and actively involved in the community throughout their lifetimes. The Skyline Golf Course held a special place in their hearts, so they wanted their memorial funds to enhance the golf course. Our mom passed away in June 2014 followed by our dad in July 2022. Our dad was a tireless supporter of Skyline, volunteering many years
of service to its management and development. So we knew we wanted to contribute to a specific project at Skyline in his name but did not know where to start. The Foundation was invaluable in providing direction, managing the fund, and helping bring the project to fruition. Today, thanks to the BRF Area Foundation, Skyline Golf Course, and the generosity of the community, there is a beautiful new patio on the west side of the Skyline Clubhouse.
Dubs & Sam Young Memorial Funds
When Sam and Corrine Young’s son, David “Dubs” Young, passed away in 2021, Sam and his family knew they would like to replace and improve the deck on the east side of the Skyline Club House in his memory. Dubs sister, Kristen Miller, reached out to the Foundation for assistance. The Foundation helped the Young family establish the fund and manage the donations and expenses for the project. The “Dubs Young Memorial Deck” was officially dedicated on June 25, 2022.
Known and respected by all, Sam Young passed away only six months later. Sam dedicated his life to the youth of our community. During the course of his teaching career in BRF, he taught physical education, math and science. He was also Athletic Director for 25 years, High School Vice-Principal for 16 years and served as a coach for football, basketball, baseball, track, and golf. Upon his passing, Sam Young’s family knew exactly what they wanted to do to honor him and with the Foundation’s help they established the “Sam Young Memorial Youth Golf Program Fund” to support two of his passions, young people and golf. All earnings and donations to the fund will be used to help young people learn and participate in the sport of golf, particularly those students that may not have the financial means to do so. This fund is open to the public and anyone wishing to honor Sam, or simply help promote golf to our young people, may donate through the BRF Area Foundation. “Without the help and guidance of the Foundation, our family would not have known how, nor been able to fulfill our plans to honor our brother and our father. We are forever grateful for their help and direction,” said Kristen Young-Miller.
Peter and Jone Hoffman Fund
Established in 2001, Peter and Jone specified the following to be recipients of funds: the Black River Falls Area Foundation for annual grants; the Black River Falls United Methodist Church for their operations budget; the Gateway Council Boy Scouts in La Crosse for their annual operations of Camp Decorah; the Boys and Girls Club of Black River Falls for operating expenses; and the Hazelton Foundation in Center City, Minnesota for admissions payments to those unable to pay for entry into the recovery program. In recent years, Peter and Jone have increased contributions to the fund wanting, as Peter said, to see and participate in the outcomes during their lifetime.
Erwin and Thelma Homstad Memorial Fund
Established in the 1990s, the four Homstad children can recommend the distribution of annual earnings. If no recommendations are made, the Foundation Trustees are directed to distribute annual earnings as they so determine.
Mary Van Gorden Endowment Fund for the Black River Falls Public Library’s History Room
The fund was established by Mary in August of 1995 for the purpose of providing financial support for the Library’s Jackson County History Room. Earnings from the fund are used for: a) salary and fringe benefit costs of any paid employee(s) within the History Room; and b) educational experiences for the History Room’s paid employee(s) and/or volunteers. which will enhance the value to the History Room. In 2012. Mary created a second fund, the Mary Van Gorden Charitable Fund. Mary can recommend the distribution of annual earnings. If no recommendations are made, the Foundation Trustees are directed to distribute annual earnings as they so determine.
Katherine Wold Memorial Fund
Katherine worked as a program assistant with UW-Extension and was a firm believer in educational opportunities. She worked for many years trying to make life for area families healthier and improving their standard of living. It was her job to teach individuals how to prepare nutritional, healthy meals. Katherine was also a member of the Trout Run Homemakers Club. She passed away in 2010 leaving a residual bequest to the BRF Area Foundation. Those funds were received by the Foundation in 2013 and the Katherine Wold Memorial Fund was created. Annual earnings are to be distributed at the discretion of the Foundation Trustees. While there are no designated disbursement guidelines, the Trustees will keep Katherine’s interests in mind when making disbursements.
Gil and Alice Homstad Fund
The fund was established in 2002 for the purpose of funding grant requests. The donors can recommend the distribution of annual earnings. If no recommendations are made, the Foundation Trustees are directed to distribute annual earnings as they so determine. A portion of Gil & Alice Homstad the principal may be distributed if recommended by the donors or their advisors.
Grace Webb Memorial Library Fund
In 1986 Grace Webb’s sister, nieces and nephews established the fund in her memory. Grace retired from many years of teaching in Jackson County schools. Annual earnings from the fund are used to purchase materials to enhance the enjoyment of reading by elementary school students in Jackson County.
Stanley Held Fund
Stanley grew up on a farm in Alma Center and later moved to town with his parents. He worked many years as manager of the Jackson County Bank’s branch office in Alma Center. The fund was established in 1998 with annual earnings to be used for grants. Priority is to be given to requests from Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Black River Memorial Hospital, Alma Center First Responders and the Alma Center Library. If there are no requests from these organizations or if there are excess funds available Foundation Trustees are directed to distribute annual earnings as they so determine.
Jim and Carol Dougherty Family Fund
The fund was established in 1997 by Jim and Carol Dougherty with the stipulation that 2/3 of the annual fund earnings be used as determined by the Foundation Trustees and 1/3 be added to the principal. Earnings are to be used for charitable purposes once the fund reaches a pre-determined level.
Timothy and Kay Finch Fund
This fund was established in 2010. Annual earnings can be distributed at the discretion of the Foundation Trustees.
Mike & Mona Anderson Memorial Fund
This fund was established in 2010 in memory of Mona Anderson. In August of 2013, Mike Anderson passed away. His family added memorials given in his honor to this fund, and the fund was renamed. The purpose has not yet been
established.