This prestigious award has recognized Seven Rivers Region faith-filled people of action for 37 years. Named in honor of the late Carl Iverson and the late Bishop Frederick Freking.Ecumenism: Working towards the acceptance of and an openness to people of all faiths and accepting their faith as value, using as a base that we are all one in the Spirit of God.

The Award reflects unselfish dedication to foster and promote ecumenical endeavors based on mutual respect of all faiths, highlighted by cooperation, communication and service to others.

Through their leadership and with the involvement of many others, Bethany St. Joseph Corporation was established in 1976 as a cooperative ecumenical effort sponsored by the Christian Communities of the greater La Crosse area.

The Iverson Freking Ecumenical Recognition Award was created by Bethany St. Joseph Corporation to acknowledge and recognize the dedication of people to ecumenical activities and community building. Select for Iverson Freking Nomination Form and Iverson Freking Nomination Cover Letter.

The award is based on one or more of the following:

• Spiritual example
• Respect for the faith of others
• Participation in a spiritual congregation, and
• Commitment to community

To date, 86 awards over 37 years have been awarded to deserving community members. The annual honors banquet is held in January and the next banquet luncheon is scheduled for January 24, 2024, in La Crosse, WI, at the Radisson Center (11:30am reception). Contact 608-788-5700 for reservation information.
Nominations are accepted in September/October and honorees are announced in mid-December.

Iverson Freking Recognition Luncheon Award Presentations 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfVcjac5c8w

Iverson Freking Awards Media Coverage for 2024

WXOW TV 19 Joe & Barb Kruse
https://www.wxow.com/video/recognizing-this-years-iverson-freking-award-winners/video_97962be8-8bc8-5b56-906f-125f615531c8.html
WXOW 19 S. Mary Ann Gschwind
https://www.wxow.com/video/recognizing-this-years-iverson-freking-award-winners/video_9acaddf3-d96a-592f-bbc4-675643e368ab.html
WXOW 19 both Kruse Gschwind
https://www.wxow.com/news/recognizing-this-years-iverson-freking-award-winners/article_ca62f808-bb03-11ee-883d-67689f224f46.html
WKBT News8000
https://www.news8000.com/news/37th-annual-iverson-freking-awards-banquet/video_a6dcf6f2-aca3-5589-b46d-f2f3186307d7.html
Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=903575335103950&id=100063544754918&mibextid=Nif5oz
Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=iverson%20freking&origin=TYPEAHEAD_ESCAPE_HATCH&sid=Y%2C1
Twitter / X
https://twitter.com/search?q=iverson%20freking&src=typeahead_click

Iverson Freking Awards Media Announcement for 2024

Joe & Barb Kruse and Sr. Mary Ann Gschwind
News 8000 WKBT Channel 8
News 8000 Iverson Freking Award Winners Announced
WXOW Channel 19
WXOW video Three to Receive 2024 Iverson Freking Ecumenical Recognition Award
WIZM News 1410AM 92.3FM Radio
WIZM News 12/14/23 Three More La Crosse Area Volunteers Added To The List Of Iverson Freking Award Winners

Iverson Freking Award Presentations – 2023

Sue & Marc Schultz and Fr. Conrad Targonski
Pass Code: D!$5!Zn*
Watch Now


Honorees

1987

Bishop Emeritus
Stefan Guttormsson
Arlene Zei

1988

Rev. Bernard McGarty
Judith Bouffleur
Rev. Daniel Vinge

1989

Rev. Allan Townsend
Helen Scarseth
Sr. Pauline Wittry, FSPA

1990

Rev. William Grevatch
June Kjome

1991

Dr. Antonio Molina
Tom Thibodeau

1992

Rev. Armin Heidmann
Mary Kisken
Lindy Saline

1993

Sr. Joyce Bantle, FSPA
Rev. Ted Dewald
Gayda Hollnagel

1994

Rev. Jarvie Mattes
Sheila Kahlert

1995

Ernest Hanson
Mary Patros

1996

Sr. Leclare Beres, FSPA
Chaplain Jim Johnson

1997

Dave Skogen
Jean Bassett
(with Tom Rand & Larry Green)

1998

Harvey Witzenburg
Carole Plante

1999

Dorothy Wetterlin
Rev. Rachel Thorson Mithelman

2000

Jerry Arndt

2000

Rita McGaughey

2001

Larry White
Lyle & Dee Peacock

2002

Rev. Duane Baardseth
Bernadine & Howard Voss

2003

Dr. Bill Medland
Randy Eddy, Sr.

2004

Jan & Duane Moore
Sr. Arita Dopkins, FSPA

2005

George & Marita Smith
Pat Stephens

2006

Sr. Celesta Day, FSPA

2006

Dirk Gasterland

2006

Roger Bjorge

2007

Richard Swantz
Phyllis Branson
Rabbi Saul Prombaum

2008

Bishop Emeritus April Ulrig Larson
Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA
Sheila Garrity

2009

Carlene Roberts
Pat Smith

2010

Deacon Richard Sage
Patti McCauley Vigness

2011

Kathleen Lucey
Philip Schumacher

2012

Ed & Sally Sullivan
Vince Hatt

2013

Rev. Kent Johnson
Audrey Kader
Sr. Kathy Stuttgen, FSPA

2014

Father Robert Cook
Jane Steingraeber
Tom Hundt

2015

Sandra Brekke
Fr. Larry Berger

2016

Rev. Dr. Timothy Ashley
Sr. Bridget Donaldson, OSB

2017

Bill Hoel
Maureen Freedland
Rev. Curtis Miller

2018

Darryle Clott
Brad Sturm

2019

William & Cindy Berg
Msgr. Del Malin
Rev. Mark Solyst

2020

John & Linda Lyche
Cheryl & Charles Hanson

2022

Bishop Emeritus Jim Arends
Kay Berra
Audrey Lucier

2023

Fr. Conrad Targonski
Sue & Marc
Schultz

2024

Barb & Joe Kruse
Sr. Mary Ann Gschwind