Dan Anderson, a 1985 graduate of Holmen High School, has one goal in mind: to make Holmen a better place to live. He was born and raised on the family farm in Holmen, and he fulfills his father’s dream of his son carrying on the 4th generation family farm. Dan’s family, many of them involved in the Holmen community and employed by area schools, instilled in him the importance of family and community. Early in his life he proved his commitment to the area through participation and service to the community.

 

Dan is a friend. His love for the Holmen community, the Holmen School District, and the people young and old, proves he has a passion for and a genuine interest in all people. Dan and his wife Karen continue to inspire their three children, Tyler (2014), Steven (2015) and Lynsey (2020) all graduates of Holmen High School.

 

Dan is a leader. He has helped form and develop many sporting activities for Holmen youth. His personal involvement in high school activities encouraged him to create and improve programs to give all students a chance to benefit from involvement. He was instrumental in the development of the Holmen Tackle Football League and the Youth Basketball League. He has also volunteered many hours with the Holmen Youth Baseball Parent Association, the Holmen High School Booster Club, the varsity football team and the Holmen Park and Recreation teams. He has also been an active member of the Town of Onalaska Planning Commission, Holmen Rotary Organization, Associated Milk Producers Inc., and La Crosse County Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

 

Dan is a doer. He is instrumental in organizing and encouraging many improvements to the Holmen Area, especially on school grounds. His endless fundraising efforts have produced new scoreboards, improved fields, up to date uniforms and opportunities for all. Dan has used his energy to help Holmen Schools and the activities meet the needs of many, including many hours preparing and leading youth basketball tournaments. Dan also hosts many field trips of young people to his family farm. With great pride he shares his life-long work with students and teachers and educates them about life on a farm.

Jim Page grew up on Brice Prairie as the youngest of seven children in a very loving, Christian family. Jim served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. After returning to the Coulee Region, Jim earned an Associate Degree in Police Science from Western Wisconsin Technical College. He was hired as a full-time Law Enforcement Officer with the City of Onalaska.

 

Jim loved "working the road" and remained a career patrol officer as well as a Field Training Officer, Defense & Arrest Tactics Instructor, and Drug Recognition Expert. He spent hours performing assessments as well as speaking in local communities, businesses, and schools on drug use and abuse trends in our area. He also played a role in "The Pause Project", a locally produced film raising awareness on the dangers of driving while impaired.

 

Jim was an active member of the area's Emergency Response Team. After his involvement in multiple traumatic cases, Jim recognized the need for increased awareness of mental injuries sustained by emergency responders. He speaks openly about his own work injuries, the continuing related stigmas, as well as his healing. In addition, Jim has given his time to the community by volunteering for many organizations, including Special Olympics, the Polar Plunge, National Night Out, the food pantry at First Free Church, and at the Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

Jim received many awards for meritorious and exemplary service. In 2011, Jim was the first recipient in the nation of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery, which rewards "exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty” after his life-saving actions during a high-profile call.

 

Since his retirement from law enforcement in 2016, Jim has continued to speak locally about improved mental health awareness, access, and care for current and future emergency responders.

 

Jim and his wife, Angela have been blessed with five sons, all who have attended the School District of Holmen.

Arlan C. Helgeson was born, grew up, and loved Holmen all his life. He graduated from Holmen High School in 1930 as Class President. Arlan was naturally bright, sociable and had a curiosity that continued throughout his life. His supportive family and encouraging teachers helped him succeed.

 

Arlan earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at La Crosse State Teachers College in 1943, served in the U. S. Army Air Corps as a radio operator in Great Britain during WW II, and on returning to civilian life, taught high school in Bangor, Wisconsin for a year before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison completing his doctorate in U. S. History in 1951.

 

That same year he was hired as a Professor of History at Illinois State University at Normal, Illinois. He was appointed Dean of the Graduate School in 1961 and served as Acting Provost of the University from 1971 - 1975. He returned to the history department resuming his work with Masters and Doctoral candidates. He retired in 1981.

 

Arlan is the author of Farms in the Cutover, published by the University of Wisconsin Press (1962), The United States of America: A History for Young Citizens (1963), and Growing Up in Holmen (2009), as well as various articles for the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Encyclopedia Britannica.

 

In his retirement, Arlan was a founding member and officer in the Central Arizona Land Trust, an organization devoted to preserving scenic areas and ranch land near Prescott, AZ.

 

Known for his sense of humor, Arlan was a popular speaker at both university and community events. His loving care for his family and commitment to friendships were appreciated by all who knew him. A humble man, he found great pleasure and satisfaction in the reception of his memoir, Growing Up in Holmen. Holmen High School’s use of his book was a source of great happiness to him.

Marie (Brown) Dummer is proud to be a part of the Holmen Community. Her accomplishments include active membership in the Holmen Historical Society, Holmen Area Foundation, La Crosse County and Happy Hollanders HCE Organizations, La Crosse County Adult 4-H Leaders Association, St. Patrick's Altar Society, Saint Elizabeth's PCCW, and La Crosse Deanery Council of Catholic Women. Her leadership roles in all of these organizations contribute to their success.

 

Marie worked in the Accounting Department at Trane Company for ten years and was the Town of Holland Treasurer for forty years. However, her service to the community of Holmen and her service work in improving the lives of Holmen citizens is what makes Marie an outstanding citizen.

 

Marie was awarded the Holmen Kornfest Parade Marshall in 2014 because of the many volunteer activities in which she participates: delivering Meals on Wheels, organizing the 1987 Alumni Banquet and the 1998 Alumni Book, servicing many church activities and fundraisers.

 

Marie was Valedictorian of the Class of 1951, editor of the Yearbook, and the Daughter’s of American Revolution and Badger Girls' State representative from her class. Marie's roots run deep in the Holmen schools. Her mother, Anna McCabe, attended Holmen High School the day it opened in 1912 and graduated with the first class in 1916. Marie's five siblings, four children and two grandchildren are all Holmen graduates. Two more grandchildren are students in Holmen. Her support of Holmen High School activities spans decades.

 

Congratulations, Marie Dummer, Class of 1951, recipient of this year’s Alumni of the Year Award.

The Alumni Award is an annual dedication which honors Holmen High School graduates who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities. Chuck has been a life-long resident of the Holmen area and his community contributions have been far reaching. Over the past four decades he has served in many capacities such as Village Board member, School Board member, Volunteer Firefighter, Youth Baseball Coach and as a member of many other organizations improving the Holmen community. As a successful small businessman in the profession of realtor, Chuck has promoted economic development, both residential and commercial in the Holmen area. He has helped develop businesses and jobs throughout La Crosse County extending this growth into the Holmen area helping to make it the welcoming community it is today. Holmen parents, students, and residents would like to congratulate Chuck Olson and thank him for all that he has done to make Holmen a wonderful place to live.