Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation

The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation would not exist without the thousands of volunteers who support our mission. In appreciation and recognition of their dedication, longevity and motivating support, the following awards are given each year at our Annual Membership Conference:

In the Mud Award

This award is given to volunteers who display dedication to the mission and goals of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves on behalf of the Ice Age Trail.

An In the Mud recipient is someone who:

Consistently shows up at workdays
Dives into the dirty work
Makes significant efforts to establish the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Epitomizes the bedrock volunteer spirit responsible for building trail
Is an unsung hero

Nomination Process: Chapter members or staff forward written nominations to staff members no later than February 28th of a given year. Nominations list specific tasks completed by the nominee during the past year and how that person fits the In the Mud criteria.

Selection Process: Nominations will be reviewed by a committee designated by the staff, or the staff itself, and winners selected at a rate of one to two awards per chapter, unless special circumstances prevail. (Joint effort projects, for example.)

Presentation: Awards are presented at a state gathering, sent to chapter coordinators to present at a fall meeting or event, or mailed directly to recipient.

Award: An IAPTF patch and In the Mud rocker, suitable for sewing to jacket or pack, and a letter of recognition. Second year recipients, and above, will receive a trail related pin to attach to rocker.

Past Recipients

Volunteer	Chapter	Year
Abrahamson, Jim	Door/Kewaunee County	2002
Abrahamson, Jim	Door/Kewaunee County	2005
Anderson, Barbara	Portage County	2004
Andrews, Colleen	Portage County	2004
Andrews, Rick	Portage County	2004
Atwood, George	Rock County	2005
Auner, Lee	Langlade	2004
Auner, Lee	Langlade County	2005
Austin, Beth	Rock County	2008
Austin, Howard	Rock County	2008
Bain, Dorothy	Marathon County	2002
Balsley, Stacey	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2006
Beck, Jim	Marathon County	2005
Beers, Jody	Lodi Valley	2007
Berglund, Mark	High Point	2006
Beutenmueller, Bob	North Kettle Moraine	2005
Bieberstein, Tammy	Dane County	2002
Bilek, Larry	Indianhead	2004
Bishop, Jon	Dane County	2004
Broman, Bob	Washington/Ozaukee County	2005
Brown, Wanda	Indianhead	2002
Buresh, Ted	Waushara County	2004
Cable, Nick	Lodi Valley	2002
Cahow, Adam	Blue Hills	2002
Caliebe, Dave	Chippewa Moraine	2007
Crary, Brad	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2005
Crisler, Dale	Superior Lobe	2005
Dalleska, Edith	Indianhead	2006
Davidowski, Edwin	Marathon County	2004
Davidowski, Karla	Marathon County	2004
DeLaney, Lisa	Washington/Ozaukee County	2008
Dexter, Bruce	Indianhead	2005
Dziengel, Sharon	Walworth/Jefferson County	2005
Erickson, Don	Superior Lobe	2002
Evans, Frank	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007
Evans, Russ	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007
Fossen, Judy	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2002
Fox, Rita	Langlade County	2008
Fredrick, Gary	Heritage Trail	2005
Gorsuch, Cheryl	Manitowoc County	2005
Granberg, Shelley	Heritage Trail	2004
Gustafson, Dick	Indianhead	2005
Harris, Eileen	Walworth/Jefferson County	2008
Harris, Ronald	Portage County	2006
Held, Audrey	Superior Lobe	2006
Held, Bob	Superior Lobe	2002
Helwig, Russell	Walworth/Jefferson County	2002
Jack, Robert	Portage County	2002
Janssen, Guy	Portage County	2006
Jefchack, Dale	Walworth/Jefferson County	2006
Jeffries, Dorothy	Indianhead	2004
Jensen, Kris	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2008
Jopek, Joe	Langlade County	2007
Jopek, Peg	Langlade County	2007
Kant, Jeannie	Indianhead	2006
Katzmarek, Joanne	Waushara County	2006
Katzmarek, Marty	Waushara County	2004
Katzmarek, Marty	Waushara County	2006
Knickrehm, William	Walworth/Jefferson County	2002
Knier, Phil	Manitowoc County	2002
Knier, Phil	Manitowoc County	2006
Koniecki, Wayne	Northwoods	2002
Koss, Betty	Langlade County	2005
Koss, Stanley	Langlade County	2002
Koss, Stanley	Langlade County	2005
Kraemer, Cal	Chippewa Moraine	2006
Kraft, Ken	High Point	2002
Krogwold, Debbie	Waupaca County	2002
Krueger, Lee	Washington/Ozaukee County	2002
Kuhlmann, Paul	Indianhead	2007
Lange, Bob	Baraboo Hills	2006
Lazzaroni, Nancy	Walworth/Jefferson County	2006
Lazzaroni, Vince	Walworth/Jefferson County	2005
Leiskau, Patricia	Waupaca County	2004
Lennartz, Randy	Waushara County	2002
Lidholm, Lyle	Walworth/Jefferson County	2007
Lindemann, Harold	Superior Lobe	2004
Locascio, Esther	Rock County	2004
Locascio, Greg	Rock County	2004
Lundberg, Corky	Indianhead	2002
Magyar, Rick	Chippewa Moraine	2002
Malzhan, Carlyn	Lodi Valley	2004
Marr, Clara	Rock County	2007
McCabe, Steven	High Point	2004
McKenna Family	Langlade County	2006
McRaith, Tim	Superior Lobe	2007
McRoberts, George	Rock County	2006
Merwin, Lowell	High Point	2006
Meyer, Buzz	High Point	2004
Milfred, Clarence	Portage County	2008
Mozina, Paul	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2004
Nystrom, Carol	Manitowoc	2004
Olsen, Keri	Baraboo Hills	2005
Olson, Todd	High Point	2002
Parks, JoAnn	Chippewa Moraine	2005
Paynter, Dean	Rock County	2002
Pedersen, Edwin	Indianhead	2008
Petras, Frank	Heritage Trail	2002
Powers, Jim	Lakeshore	2008
Rettler, Matt	Waushara County	2005
Rogers, George	Portage County	2005
Ruechel, Darrel	Waupaca County	2002
Ruechel, Darrel	Waupaca County	2005
Sandstrom, Laura	Superior Lobe	2005
Sanford, Craig	Washington/Ozaukee County	2006
Scharhag, Janel	Washington/Ozaukee County	2008
Schoenike, Kenneth	Lakeshore	2007
Schulz, Richard	North Kettle Moraine	2004
Schuster, Tony	Chippewa Moraine	2008
Seefelt, Edward	Portage County	2007
Shaheen, Peter	Dane County	2005
Shank, John	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2007
Simmons, Rick	Portage County	2004
Skarie, Bill	Marathon County	2002
Smith, Paulette	Lodi Valley	2005
Smith, Ron	Lodi Valley	2005
Sparr, Bill	Marathon County	2002
Sparr, Carol	Marathon County	2002
Springer, Rick	Baraboo Hills	2004
Stelzer, Diane	Portage County	2005
Stone, Gary	Waupaca County	2004
Thiede, Gene	High Point	2007
Thorson, Dave	Superior Lobe	2005
Tlusty Family	Langlade County	2006
Tollaksen, Shirley	Baraboo Hills	2004
Trainer, Betty	Portage County	2005
Veldhuizen, Keith	Superior Lobe	2004
Verburgt, Charles	Heritage Trail	2002
Vogl, Ann	North Kettle Moraine	2002
Vollrath, John	Portage County	2002
Ward, Sally	Walworth/Jefferson County	2004
Welch, Bill	Lodi Valley	2006
Wenzler, Jo	Baraboo Hills	2007
Wester, Jane	Baraboo Hills	2002
Wheeler, June	Walworth/Jefferson County	2004
Wise, Tom	Dane County	2006
Witkowski, Pat	Waukesha/Milwaukee County	2006
Wolfe, Ron	Lodi Valley	2008
Wollmer, Mike	Washington/Ozaukee County	2005
Wood, Al	Marathon County	2008

Note: In 2003, awards presentation was moved from autumn to spring; 2003 awards were postponed and presented in spring 2004

Years of Service Award

IAPTF also gives awards for longevity of active service.

Selection: The Foundation tracks years of volunteer service, through chapter reporting, and designates recipients as 10, 20 and 30-year milestones are achieved.

Presentation: Service awards are presented at a state gathering, sent to chapter coordinators to present at a meeting or event, or mailed directly to recipient.

Award: Years of service pin

Past Recipients

30 Years of Service
Cahow, Adam	2004
Cromer, Bob	2005
Cromer, Dede	2005
Emmerich, Gerald	2007
Emmerich, Signe	2007
Jopek, Joe	2005
Jopek, Peg	2005
Phillips, David	2007
Schotz, Herb	2005
Wheeler, June	2008
20 Years of Service
Alberg, Bernard	2007
Alberg, Bess	2007
Algire, Tom	2007
Andrews, Colleen	2006
Brouchoud, Bernie	2002
Dinsmore, Amelia	2007
Dinsmore, Lee	2007
Drought, Tom	2008
Freckmann, Robert	2004
Freckmann, Sally	2004
Holman, Roger	2006
Kirk, Barbara	2004
Kirk, Michael	2004
Kittel, Richard	2008
Klessig, Lowell	2007
Klingenberg, Loretta	2004
Krogwold, Wendell	2007
Lochner, Paul	2006
Lovejoy, Dave	2006
Lovejoy, Lois	2006
Magyar, Rick	2005
Murtagh, Blanche	2004
Neitzke, Ken	2007
Petras, Frank	2007
Presney, Tom	2002
Ruechel, Darrel	2007
Schaber, Dale	2006
Schaber, Penny	2006
Schad, Jim	2005
Seefelt, Edward	2008
Seefelt, Mary	2008
Simmons, Rick	2006
Stodola, Robert	2006
Wacker, Martin	2004
Welch, Bob	2005
Werner, Gary	2004
10 Years of Service
Anderson, Paul	2007
Anderson, Robert	2007
Anderson, Susan	2007
Andrews, Colleen	2004
Anglin, John	2006
Backe, Pat	2004
Backe, Tom	2004
Balsley, Stacey	2004
Beckwith, Nat	2008
Bloodgood, Sharon	2007
Brandeen, Carolyn	2004
Cates, Dick	2002
Clark, Steve	2006
Clarke, Tom	2006
Converse, Barbara	2002
Converse, Jerome	2002
Crisler, Carole	2006
Crisler, Dale	2006
Culver, Joe	2002
Culver, Mavis	2002
Derro, Sue	2006
Dettmers, Ron	2006
Dreier, Patty	2008
Dreier, Tom	2008
Dversdall, Cora	2006
Dversdall, Dean	2006
Eagon, Burdette	2006
Ellingboe, Sally	2006
Ellingboe, Steve	2006
Engleson, David	2007
Feller Gottard, Carol	2006
Foris, Rick	2006
Fort, Mike	2006
Foss, Linda	2006
Gathers, Barb	2005
Gierke, Sarah	2008
Gilbertson, Georgia	2006
Gilbertson, Russ	2006
Glejf, Bob	2005
Glejf, Jennye	2005
Goeres, Ted	2006
Granberg, Shelley	2008
Hall, Kent	2006
Hall, Sue	2006
Hansis, Virginia	2005
Harris, Kristy	2007
Harris, Ron	2006
Hayes, Paul	2007
Heinz, Cherie	2004
Heinz, Jim	2004
Hubert, Charlotte	2005
Hughes, Ken	2006
Jack, Robert	2007
Jensen, Kristine	2007
Kieffer, Anne	2004
Klatt, Gary	2002
Knickrehm, William	2002
Krogwold, Debbie	2007
Krueger, Joyce	2004
Krueger, Lee	2004
Larson, Ingrid	2002
Lazzaroni, Nancy	2002
Lazzaroni, Vince	2002
Leiskau, Patricia	2007
Lewis, Sally	2006
Lindsay, Kate	2006
Lundberg, Corky	2006
Lundberg, Herb	2004
Lutz, Diane	2006
Maier, Doriann	2008
McCabe, Steve	2006
McKearn, Pat	2006
McKinnley, Fran	2005
McNulty, Dolly	2002
McRoberts, Gay	2006
McRoberts, George	2006
Mewaldt, John	2006
Michler, John	2008
Milfred, Clarence	2008
Mozina, Paul	2007
Musolf, Bea	2002
Musolf, Gene	2002
Neitzke, Ken	2004
Newton, Robin	2007
Numsen, Gene	2005
Nystrom, Carol	2004
Ordens, Judy	2008
Ordens, Tom	2008
Ott, George	2006
Paynter, Dean	2004
Paynter, Jayne	2004
Pintar, Tom	2008
Popelka, Bernice	2007
Prey, David	2005
Prey, Pauline	2005
Roberts, Jan	2007
Sanford, Craig	2007
Sanford, Will	2007
Schmidt, Aurelia	2006
Schotz, Chris	2004
Schultz, Russ	2002
Simmons, Rick	2004
Skelton, William	2007
Smith, Richard	2006
Soma, Nancy	2006
Stenmark, Allan	2004
Stevenson, Nancy	2008
Strauch, Bernice	2005
Thuma, Paul	2002
Tlusty, Dave	2007
Tollaksen, Shirley	2004
Waraczynski, Ken	2007
Waraczynski, Sally	2007
Warth, Tom	2006
Welch, Debbie	2005
Whitburn, Gerald	2008
Wood, Al	2007
Wood, Ann	2007

Ray Zillmer Award

As the highest honor given by the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, the Ray Zillmer Award recognizes those who have served the Ice Age Trail for many years, have markedly elevated the awareness of the Trail, secured significant funding, changed the political arena to benefit the Trail, or taken the Trail to a higher level in some way.

Nomination: Written nominations are submitted to a staff member, Executive Director or member of the Board of Directors. Nominations will be directed to the Executive Director, for additional input, then to the Board President to be placed on the agenda for discussion at the next Board of Directors meeting.

Selection: Process will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This may or may not be an annual award, as nominations dictate.

Presentation: This award is presented publicly by the Executive Director or the President of the Board of Directors, at a statewide Trail event, celebration, public event or media event.

Award: A Wisconsin-shaped Lucite award with small plaque indicating title of award, recipient, and year of presentation.

Past Recipients

David Obey, 2001

Henry S. Reuss Friend of the Ice Age Trail Award

A prestigious award, the Henry S. Reuss Friend of the Ice Age Trail Award recognizes work on behalf of the Trail at many levels. It emphasizes the recipient’s ability to affect influential parties to take an active role in the mission of the Foundation. It also denotes an ongoing relationship as a Friend of the Trail who has brought about lasting change for Trail mission advancement.

Selection Process: Process will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This may or may not be an annual award, as nominations dictate.

Presentation: Made by the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director or their delegate, at a public gathering or media event.

Award: Designed individually, this may be a trophy-style award, wall mount or other style, depending on the contracted artist. Title of award, recipient, year given, and a statement citing the activity or work precipitating the honor appear on the award.

Past Recipients

Kevin Shibilski, 2001

Tammy Baldwin, 2004

Spirit Stick Award

This award signifies long-term dedication and service to the Trail, carried out in a spirit of cooperation, optimism and enthusiasm. It honors those whose love of the Ice Age Trail approaches a way of life. The recipient leads by example and inspires those around them. A statewide award, the Spirit Stick is presented to only one recipient per year.

Nomination: Nominees are submitted to staff members by any volunteer, staff member, Board Member or other interested party.

Selection Process: The Staff will select the recipient of this award by majority vote.

Presentation: Presentation of this award occurs at the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation Annual Membership Conference.

Award: A hand carved walking stick depicting the Wood Spirit in human form. This is a traveling trophy remaining with the recipient for one year. Each recipient’s name and the year of their award are carved into the stick.

Past Recipients

Gary Werner, 2000

Bill “Kangaroo” Knickrehm, 2001

Butch Siegel, 2002

Nancy Lazzaroni, 2003

Joe Jopek, 2004

Ken Neitzke, 2005

David Phillips, 2007

Dean Dversdall, 2008

The Legend of the Wood Spirit

The Wood Spirit is said to be the Lord of the Forest and Natural Things. European villagers used to go out on regular hunts, hoping to find a Wood Spirit to foretell the future of their village.

The next time you are strolling through the woods, keep an eye out for one of these elusive creatures. They are extremely strong. Wood Spirits can tear an opponent, limb from limb, and can tame any wild animal. At the same time they are gentle with maidens, children and men of good heart.

It is said that the forest will stand for as long as the Wood Spirit remains to keep order. And if you’re lucky to see one, health, happiness and good fortune will be yours. However, that does not happen often. Wood Spirits would rather see than be seen. Most sightings are by children or the pure of heart.

When you take your Wood Spirit home, give it a place of honor. Include the Wood Spirit in the audience when you tell jokes (they have a great sense of humor). If you do these things, your Wood Spirit will bring his gentle wisdom, humor and luck into your home.

Public Partner Award

This award is presented to an individual rather than a body of government. The recipient works for a public, governmental agency and has provided ongoing and long-term service for the Trail, above and beyond regular duties.

Nomination: Written nominations are submitted, by any interested party, to a staff member, Executive Director or the Board of Directors of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation.

Selection:Nominations will be directed to the Executive Director, for additional input, then to the President of the Board and placed on the agenda of the next Board of Directors meeting for discussion.

Presentation: This award will be presented at a gathering of the recipient’s peers.

Award: To be determined by Board of Directors

Past Recipients

Janet Beach Hanson, 1997

John Wald, 2004

Tom Gilbert, 2008