Hello Elks members. Another Elks Lodge year has come and gone.
I would like to thank Michael Lindblom, our most recent past Exalted Ruler, and his wife, Lynn, for dedicating their time and talents. Mike has been a good friend and mentor over the years! A ‘Big Thanks’ goes out to Mike for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to the Elks Lodge!
My name is R.W. (Rich) Skjonsby, your newly elected Exalted Ruler. I have been a member of the Bismarck/Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 for 25 years. I am the President/Owner of Missouri Valley Insurance. I also own three real estate investment companies dealing with residential and commercial rental properties. My wife, Char and I were married in 2012. She works for the Bank of North Dakota. She has two children, Bridget and Shane. Her daughter is married to Chris and they have two children, Camden and Kira. What a delight it is to have those little ones running around with us. Shane graduated from Missouri Western and is working at the PGA West golf course in Palm Springs, CA. He is dedicating his time and talents to becoming a golf pro. I have one daughter, Megan Jewel, who is 19 and attending NDSU majoring in Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship. It seems just like yesterday that she was little. Megan was a synchronized and individual ice skater with the Bismarck Figure Skating Club while growing up. I really enjoyed traveling around to her events.
My past year as Leading Knight went by very quickly, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on several committees such as the Social/Community Welfare, Investigating, Membership/Lapsation and Dictionary Books committees. I can tell you it is a very satisfying feeling being able to assist with a variety of projects in our community. Our Elks Camp Grassick car raffle was held on March 22nd. This is the largest fundraiser of the year and without you, our members, buying and selling thousands of tickets, we couldn’t accomplish it. Ryan Farstveet did an outstanding job (again) of organizing this event and making it a HUGE success. Thank you, Ryan! It takes a lot of dedicated people to make all of the events, committees, etc., happen. Thanks to everyone who plays a role in making the Bismarck/Mandan Elks Lodge #1199 the greatest lodge in the nation.
Installation of officers will be held on April 2nd. I would like to congratulate the new officers that will be installed into their new chairs:
Jeff Carlson – Esteemed Leading Knight
Chad Gasser – Esteemed Loyal Knight
Brian Peterson – Esteemed Lecturing Knight
Mark Webster – Esquire
Lee Schmidt – Chaplain
Josette Severson – Inner Guard
Mike LaLonde – Tiler
Arlan Scholl – Lodge Secretary
Daryl Eberle – Treasurer
Bob Dolajok – Organist
Nelson (Buzz) Benson, Scott Volkert, Rod Bakken, Dennis Hensel and Keith Ulmer – Trustees
The volunteer leadership of your Elks Lodge comes from a vast diverse set of business backgrounds: Insurance, real estate, wholesale, retail, medical, banking, and business consulting are all represented.
Some of my personal goals for the next lodge year include increasing Elks membership and retention, involving current Elks members in community projects, and recruiting young professionals into the Elks Lodge to ensure future growth. I look forward to an exciting and productive year as your Exalted Ruler!
R.W. (Rich) Skjonsby, Exalted Ruler
Bismarck-Mandan Lodge #1199
It is my sad duty to announce the death of Kenneth Klug, Glenn Long, Pius Glass, Gene Hilken, Cooper B. Land and Frank Eide. May their virtues be written on the tablet of love and memory.
