Celebrations & Memorials
From time to time individuals choose to donate funds to Patriot Assistance Dogs at times of celebrations such as weddings or anniversaries. Others choose to give a memorial in honor of a special life. We would like to recognize these contributions, honor those named here, and thank each contributor for supporting the work we do with our Veterans and their dogs.
2021 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Jerome A Thunstrom
Linda Leitheiser
Puck the Persian
Susan Andersen
Jon Kumpala
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ken Wagner
Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Jim & Davis
Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Fred Morgan, Jr.
Susan Coleman
Melvin L. "Tony" Bisson Jr
Susan Coleman
Jeff Gair, U.S. Air Force
Judy Gair
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Kathy Bennett
Bea & Kent Harrington
Joey Buzay, U.S. Army
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dr. Bridget King
Dawn Hutmacher
Rodney Eastman
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Shirley Gunderson
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2021 Memorials Given in Honor Of:
Ridly
Lori Alm-West
2020 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Joey Buzay, U.S. Army
In Memory of Joey Buzay and his faithful boy, Frankie. Together again.
from Marcia Erickson
James Elmquist, U.S. Navy
from Rosalind Elmquist
from Candace Thingstrom
from St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church
from Jerry & Peg Oliver
from Douglas & Nancy Grosinger
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Arnold "Whitey" Mackner - US Navy & MN Army National Guard
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Steve Wiggin
from Kirsten Hansen
Joseph Forsberg - US Army
from Terri Cuppett
Cooper Brattie
from Ronald Brattie
Conrad Bernard, U.S. Army
from Randi Bernard
Gerald Ortlepp - U.S. Airforce
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Shawn Nysveen
from Lorna Nysveen
Jan Peters
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Nina Pulver Christianson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Henry Mason
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Daryle "Ole" Olson - US Navy
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Warren Engberg
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dennis Christianson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Roger Lehne, 90 year old Navy Veteran
died from COVID
from Susan Coleman
Vernon Benson, 78 year old Marine Veteran
died from COVID
from Susan Coleman
Richard "Chuck" Oreskovich, U.S. Army & his PAD Dog, Henry
from J.S. Stark
from Stephen & Arnita Zierke
from Bernice Hayes
from Thomas & Mary Jo Huntley
from Duane & Barbara Anderson
from John & Barbara Unger
from Roger & Julie Oreskovich
from David Oreskovich
from Family & Friends
from Callie Schneider
Athena
from Dawn Hutmacher & Family
Al Zimmerman Jr
from Susan Andersen
from The Work Zone Bar & Grill
Larry Burgeson, US Army
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Brian Scheer
from Ron & Joann Thompson
from Craig & Stacie Hebest
from Richard & Cindy Booke
from Gary Tomhave
from Alan & Darcy Koeckeritz
from Todd & Lori Langston
from Jeffrey McKeever
from Pam & Brian Scheer
from Ottertail Power Mgmt.
2020 Contributions Given in Honor Of
George Dziedzic, U.S. Navy & Lexus
from Joyce Kaufman
PAD Dog Dori
Upon completing training and matching with a Veteran
from VFW Dorchester Post 8731 Riders
Thelma
from Diane & Roger Mann
Giving Hearts Day
from Erin Badar
from The Bells of St Mary
Ellie Mae
from Jack & Trina Harris
2019 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Lois Winsted
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ardis Carvell
from Marcia Nelson
Richard DeLaney
from Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Eugene "Bud" Leinen
from Paul & Linda Thulen
Elly Engberg
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Jean Poehler
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Virgil Krogstad
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Stacy Kraemer
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Derek Simpson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ardis Mason
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Charles Allan Russall
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Louis Karsnia, Army Scout
from Raymond & Susan Pizarro
Darwin Lusty, Navy Communication
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ross Pederson, Army Reserves Medic
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Irv Olson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Gene Brend
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dale Jackson
from Paul & Linda Thulen
Marlys Ortlepp
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Sheila Ortlepp
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Margaret Bellefeuille
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Don Lefebvre
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dave Alleckson
from Delores Alleckson
from Michelle Maier
from Jason Vinje
from Carey Kroll
from Jenny Hagen
from Jamie Thibodeaux
from Bernadette & Paul Wittekind
from Vincent & Cynthia DeSutter
from Richard & Kathleen Riedberger
from Chris & Sarah Wittekind
from Debra Hjermstad
from Nancy Trickey
from Michael & Marlys Esterly
from Larry & Rebecca Clark
from Nicholas & Lorilynn Clark
from Bob & Christy Brinkman
from Robyn & Terry Dwyer
from Mike & Rhonda Burke
from Mavis Vershelde
from Shirley Gawerecki
from Marilyn
from Dennis Steffen
from Erick & Jen Alleckson
from Jesse & Alissa
from Anonymous
Donna M. Hoffman
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
George Seley
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Charles A. Russell
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Jay Nelson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2019 Contributions in Honor Of:
The Peacocks
Shandy
from Janet Hainlin
Xavi
from Janet Hainlin
Mike Harris' 60th Birthday
from Kimberly Schrippe
Marcia's Birthday
Vietnam Veterans
from Cornelius & Susan Hunter
Nero
from Troy Lade
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Cuppett
Canine Dental Health Awareness
from Raymond & Susan Pizarro
2018 Contributions in Honor Of:
Thelma
from Diane & Roger Mann
Maura
from Eloise Irvine
Kevin
from Mark & Cathy Hanson
Army
from Ron & Deb Melcher
Gary Koth Service Dog "River"
from Cathy Nelson
2018 Congratulations To:
Brandy & Marshall Erickson's Wedding
from Lorna & Vernon Hagerup
2018 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Pomeroy Skoda
from Dorothy Fisher
from Marilyn Lande
Ev Kjelbertson
from Susan Coleman
Jack Murray
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
from Raymond & Susan PIzarro
Donald Klaksvik, U.S. Navy
from Eric & Linda Gronner
from Ronald Leier
from Nate & Kristen Kolman & Family
Duane Tigges
from Iowa Emergency Management Association
Duane J. Anderson, US Navy Veteran
Keith Brody
from Walter & Mary Kulberg
Sally Kulberg
from Brad Kulberg
Jack Fay
from Daniel Fay
Helen Anderson
from Karen Anderson
from Kathleen Blackford
from Cynthia Zappa
2017 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Pat
from Terry & Linda Beilke
from Bob & Barb Rice
from Ken & Kathy Carlson
Kristen O'Neal
from Rick & Kathy Michaelson
Marcella Jernberg
Sharon Fagerlie
Thomas Donald Moore, Army Veteran
from Vicky Workman
Mary King
from P.A.D. Board of Directors
Jerry Hanson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
USAFSS Elmer Johannsen
from Tara Huwe
2017 Contributions in Honor Of:
Paul Sivigny, U.S. Marine Corp
2016 Memorials in Honor Of:
David Rootham
from Jan & Sandra Rootham
"Cougar"
from Darvin & Pamela Jahnke
Army Lt. Colonel Paul Cuppett
Wes Ohman
from Diane Hughes & Co-Workers
Wayne Coleman
USMC Major Fred Giroux
2015 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Carla Forsythe
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Pat Johnston
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Phyllis Sasag
from Coleen Tietz
John McGovern
Jamie Cassavant
Dist 9 VFW Aux President
Elaine Erickson-Bowyer
Jake Hei, US. Army
from Hellen and Paula Anderson
from Jack & Patricia Hei
from Michele Jackson
from Jeffrey Brower & Donna Dalton
from Norman & Lori Jackson
from Raymond & Eileen Muetzel
from Marian Ness
from Christine Campbell
from Marlene & Duane Harden
from George & Patricia Guenther
from Richard & Sandra Lunde
from Joseph & Mary Aiello
from Diana Lutz
from Duane & Pauline Prew
Dori
from dog owners Heidi & Dave
2015 Congratulations To:
Joy & Brent Kaiser Wedding
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2014 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Joann
2013 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Catherine "Taffy" Peters, WWII Veteran & Korean Wife
Renowned Music Performer & Instructor
Chief Scott Fox, Pelican Rapids Police Department, Retired
Mr. Mark Wilson, US Army 1969-1971
Vietnam K-9 Handler, Mine Detection
Sgt Christopher J Bragelman
Lino Lakes, Centennial Lakes & Detroit Lakes Police Departments
Mr. Paul K. Ness, US Army 1952-1954
Korean Conflict
Mr. Clair Wenger, Medic
Mr. LeRoy Squires, USAF, Airman First Class 1957-1962, Korea
from P.A.D. Board of Directors
2013 Congratulations To:
Brett & Kari Friesen
June 22, 2013
2012 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Mrs. Caroline H. Remmen
Youth Firearms Safety Instructor
Assistance Campfire Leader
Mr. Don L. Sands, US Army 1954-1956
Patrol Officer Chad E. Jutz
Detroit Lakes Police Department 1993-2012
Patrol Office Clarence (Buddy) Gunderson, US Navy
Frazee and Lake Park Police Departments, Retired
Jerome A Thunstrom
Linda Leitheiser
Puck the Persian
Susan Andersen
Jon Kumpala
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ken Wagner
Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Jim & Davis
Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Fred Morgan, Jr.
Susan Coleman
Melvin L. "Tony" Bisson Jr
Susan Coleman
Jeff Gair, U.S. Air Force
Judy Gair
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Kathy Bennett
Bea & Kent Harrington
Joey Buzay, U.S. Army
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dr. Bridget King
Dawn Hutmacher
Rodney Eastman
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Shirley Gunderson
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2021 Memorials Given in Honor Of:
Ridly
Lori Alm-West
2020 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Joey Buzay, U.S. Army
In Memory of Joey Buzay and his faithful boy, Frankie. Together again.
from Marcia Erickson
James Elmquist, U.S. Navy
from Rosalind Elmquist
from Candace Thingstrom
from St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church
from Jerry & Peg Oliver
from Douglas & Nancy Grosinger
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Arnold "Whitey" Mackner - US Navy & MN Army National Guard
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Steve Wiggin
from Kirsten Hansen
Joseph Forsberg - US Army
from Terri Cuppett
Cooper Brattie
from Ronald Brattie
Conrad Bernard, U.S. Army
from Randi Bernard
Gerald Ortlepp - U.S. Airforce
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Shawn Nysveen
from Lorna Nysveen
Jan Peters
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Nina Pulver Christianson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Henry Mason
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Daryle "Ole" Olson - US Navy
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Warren Engberg
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dennis Christianson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Roger Lehne, 90 year old Navy Veteran
died from COVID
from Susan Coleman
Vernon Benson, 78 year old Marine Veteran
died from COVID
from Susan Coleman
Richard "Chuck" Oreskovich, U.S. Army & his PAD Dog, Henry
from J.S. Stark
from Stephen & Arnita Zierke
from Bernice Hayes
from Thomas & Mary Jo Huntley
from Duane & Barbara Anderson
from John & Barbara Unger
from Roger & Julie Oreskovich
from David Oreskovich
from Family & Friends
from Callie Schneider
Athena
from Dawn Hutmacher & Family
Al Zimmerman Jr
from Susan Andersen
from The Work Zone Bar & Grill
Larry Burgeson, US Army
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Brian Scheer
from Ron & Joann Thompson
from Craig & Stacie Hebest
from Richard & Cindy Booke
from Gary Tomhave
from Alan & Darcy Koeckeritz
from Todd & Lori Langston
from Jeffrey McKeever
from Pam & Brian Scheer
from Ottertail Power Mgmt.
2020 Contributions Given in Honor Of
George Dziedzic, U.S. Navy & Lexus
from Joyce Kaufman
PAD Dog Dori
Upon completing training and matching with a Veteran
from VFW Dorchester Post 8731 Riders
Thelma
from Diane & Roger Mann
Giving Hearts Day
from Erin Badar
from The Bells of St Mary
Ellie Mae
from Jack & Trina Harris
2019 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Lois Winsted
Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ardis Carvell
from Marcia Nelson
Richard DeLaney
from Ronald & Virginia Bratlie
Eugene "Bud" Leinen
from Paul & Linda Thulen
Elly Engberg
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Jean Poehler
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Virgil Krogstad
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Stacy Kraemer
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Derek Simpson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ardis Mason
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Charles Allan Russall
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Louis Karsnia, Army Scout
from Raymond & Susan Pizarro
Darwin Lusty, Navy Communication
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Ross Pederson, Army Reserves Medic
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Irv Olson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Gene Brend
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dale Jackson
from Paul & Linda Thulen
Marlys Ortlepp
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Sheila Ortlepp
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Margaret Bellefeuille
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Don Lefebvre
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Dave Alleckson
from Delores Alleckson
from Michelle Maier
from Jason Vinje
from Carey Kroll
from Jenny Hagen
from Jamie Thibodeaux
from Bernadette & Paul Wittekind
from Vincent & Cynthia DeSutter
from Richard & Kathleen Riedberger
from Chris & Sarah Wittekind
from Debra Hjermstad
from Nancy Trickey
from Michael & Marlys Esterly
from Larry & Rebecca Clark
from Nicholas & Lorilynn Clark
from Bob & Christy Brinkman
from Robyn & Terry Dwyer
from Mike & Rhonda Burke
from Mavis Vershelde
from Shirley Gawerecki
from Marilyn
from Dennis Steffen
from Erick & Jen Alleckson
from Jesse & Alissa
from Anonymous
Donna M. Hoffman
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
George Seley
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Charles A. Russell
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Jay Nelson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2019 Contributions in Honor Of:
The Peacocks
Shandy
from Janet Hainlin
Xavi
from Janet Hainlin
Mike Harris' 60th Birthday
from Kimberly Schrippe
Marcia's Birthday
Vietnam Veterans
from Cornelius & Susan Hunter
Nero
from Troy Lade
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Cuppett
Canine Dental Health Awareness
from Raymond & Susan Pizarro
2018 Contributions in Honor Of:
Thelma
from Diane & Roger Mann
Maura
from Eloise Irvine
Kevin
from Mark & Cathy Hanson
Army
from Ron & Deb Melcher
Gary Koth Service Dog "River"
from Cathy Nelson
2018 Congratulations To:
Brandy & Marshall Erickson's Wedding
from Lorna & Vernon Hagerup
2018 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Pomeroy Skoda
from Dorothy Fisher
from Marilyn Lande
Ev Kjelbertson
from Susan Coleman
Jack Murray
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
from Raymond & Susan PIzarro
Donald Klaksvik, U.S. Navy
from Eric & Linda Gronner
from Ronald Leier
from Nate & Kristen Kolman & Family
Duane Tigges
from Iowa Emergency Management Association
Duane J. Anderson, US Navy Veteran
Keith Brody
from Walter & Mary Kulberg
Sally Kulberg
from Brad Kulberg
Jack Fay
from Daniel Fay
Helen Anderson
from Karen Anderson
from Kathleen Blackford
from Cynthia Zappa
2017 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Pat
from Terry & Linda Beilke
from Bob & Barb Rice
from Ken & Kathy Carlson
Kristen O'Neal
from Rick & Kathy Michaelson
Marcella Jernberg
Sharon Fagerlie
Thomas Donald Moore, Army Veteran
from Vicky Workman
Mary King
from P.A.D. Board of Directors
Jerry Hanson
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
USAFSS Elmer Johannsen
from Tara Huwe
2017 Contributions in Honor Of:
Paul Sivigny, U.S. Marine Corp
2016 Memorials in Honor Of:
David Rootham
from Jan & Sandra Rootham
"Cougar"
from Darvin & Pamela Jahnke
Army Lt. Colonel Paul Cuppett
Wes Ohman
from Diane Hughes & Co-Workers
Wayne Coleman
USMC Major Fred Giroux
2015 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Carla Forsythe
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Pat Johnston
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
Phyllis Sasag
from Coleen Tietz
John McGovern
Jamie Cassavant
Dist 9 VFW Aux President
Elaine Erickson-Bowyer
Jake Hei, US. Army
from Hellen and Paula Anderson
from Jack & Patricia Hei
from Michele Jackson
from Jeffrey Brower & Donna Dalton
from Norman & Lori Jackson
from Raymond & Eileen Muetzel
from Marian Ness
from Christine Campbell
from Marlene & Duane Harden
from George & Patricia Guenther
from Richard & Sandra Lunde
from Joseph & Mary Aiello
from Diana Lutz
from Duane & Pauline Prew
Dori
from dog owners Heidi & Dave
2015 Congratulations To:
Joy & Brent Kaiser Wedding
from Archie & Linda Wiedewitsch
2014 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Joann
2013 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Catherine "Taffy" Peters, WWII Veteran & Korean Wife
Renowned Music Performer & Instructor
Chief Scott Fox, Pelican Rapids Police Department, Retired
Mr. Mark Wilson, US Army 1969-1971
Vietnam K-9 Handler, Mine Detection
Sgt Christopher J Bragelman
Lino Lakes, Centennial Lakes & Detroit Lakes Police Departments
Mr. Paul K. Ness, US Army 1952-1954
Korean Conflict
Mr. Clair Wenger, Medic
Mr. LeRoy Squires, USAF, Airman First Class 1957-1962, Korea
from P.A.D. Board of Directors
2013 Congratulations To:
Brett & Kari Friesen
June 22, 2013
2012 Memorials Given in Memory Of:
Mrs. Caroline H. Remmen
Youth Firearms Safety Instructor
Assistance Campfire Leader
Mr. Don L. Sands, US Army 1954-1956
Patrol Officer Chad E. Jutz
Detroit Lakes Police Department 1993-2012
Patrol Office Clarence (Buddy) Gunderson, US Navy
Frazee and Lake Park Police Departments, Retired