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30 ■ HERVOICE MARCH/APRIL 2009 1101 Broadway, Suite 105, Morgen Square Plaza, Yankton • 605-665-2448 Jan Loecker,Amanda Wahl, Dr. Jessie Scott, Kim Kocourek, Nancy Busby “We are excited to offer our patients the best dental care in a welcoming environment. We invite you to stop by, tour our office and see if there is anything we can do to give you the smile you’ve always wanted!” The first-ever Yankton “Woman of Distinction” banquet was held in February to honor and recognize women of Yankton who have selflessly served the community. Because of her readily shared leadership skills, resources, moral support and friendship, Marian Gunderson was chosen to be the inau- gural recipient. Gunderson, who was also recent- ly honored with the Frank Yaggie Award by the Chamber of Commerce, has been a leader her entire life, volunteering for civic, church and community events. “We were fortunate to have 16 fabulous nominees for this award,” stated Kathie Gerstner, chair of the Women’s Community Leaders Committee of the Chamber. “We decid- ed upon the criteria by which we would judge our nominees, solicited nominations and created an objective scoring system in order to determine our winner. The standard of qualifications was excellent and judging was extremely difficult.” Other nominations for this years award included: Dores Allan, Roberta Amber, Lelia Elder, Marjorie Gross, Lois Halbur, Mary Alice Halverson, Dr. Lori Hansen, Karen Harmelink, Pam Kettering, Dr. Mary Milroy, Sean Potas, Dr. Pam Rezac, Pauline Rhoades, Sister Margo Tschetter and Betty Viau. The events featured speaker, Jana Zieser Thomas, was quick to point out that Gunderson embodies everything a “Woman of Distinction” should be. “When Marian wakes up and puts her feet on the floor, Satan shudders and says ‘Oh, no. She is awake,’” she said. “That is how we need to live our lives. Leadership is not about titles or about what is on your name plate. Leadership is about the degree of ownership you take with the dream. Goals are dreams with passion.” Gunderson has reached many goals in her life. She was the first member of her family to graduate from college. She established the Irene Public Library and is a member of the board for the Yankton Community Library. Gunderson has always looked to the future to help establish what needs to be done now. For example, when she was able to be a visionary in helping the library transition to a computer-based service model. Gunderson has also served at the state level, working for 34 years on the South Dakota State Water Management Board, of which she was the chair for 17 years. Zieser Thomas stated a quote attributed to the late author Erma Bomback, “When I get to the pearly gates, they are going to say ‘empty your pockets,’ and she is going to open up her pockets and there is going to be nothing left. That is how leaders live their life.” Gunderson has done that with her involve- ment with the USD Foundation, Mt. Marty College, the Gregorian Club, Yankton Women’s Shelter, Yankton Community Concerts, Lewis and Clark Theatre, Peo and Questers. “Marian is not only generous with her time and talents; she is very generous with her resources,” Gerstner said. “In other words, she puts her money where her mouth is. She has donated selflessly to the United Way, generously contributed to the Lewis and Clark Children’s Fund and the Boys and Girls Club, as well as capital projects for her Church, Christ Church Episcopal.” Gunderson, hummbled by the award, summed up her service to Yankton noting, “I never did anything for this kind of recognition, I just have done what I thought I could do.” Gunderson Named ‘Woman Of Distinction’ KELLY HERTZ/P&D Marian Gunderson, center, was introduced as the winner of the first- ever “Woman of Distinction” at a banquet hosted by the Women’s Community Leaders Committee. She is shown with Kathie Gerstner (left), committee chair; and Mary Pat Bierle, one of the people who nominated Gunderson for the award. ■ By Shauna Marlette COMMUNITY
