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2015 ANNUAL REPORT

The Trail of Governors Foundation wraps up the year 2015 with several check marks on its to-do list. The project’s fundraising

has surpassed the halfway mark with more than $1million raised of the $2.1 million estimated for the first 30 governor statues.

Since the fundraising and the entire project were stalled until after the clean-up of Pierre’s 2011 flood, this statistic is worthy of celebration.

Another milepost the foundation is celebrating is that 12 statues are now in place and all but two of these are fully funded.

The three governors’ likenesses unveiled on June 12, 2015 are Govs. Charles Herreid, George T. Mickelson and Richard Kneip.

George T. Mickelson - 18th Governor of South Dakota

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors.

2015 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Governor Charles HerreidThe bronze of the state’s fourth governor, Herreid, stands tall at the corner of Pleasant Avenue and Pierre Street with his arms folded, dressed in a suit harkening back to the era when he served in the state Capitol.

He is a commanding figure, as he was while presiding over our state and making an impression in the capital city as the first governor to live year-round in Pierre. Besides Pierre, Herreid called Leola, Eureka, and Aberdeen home during his lifetime, and the town of Herreid is named in his honor.

He was fortunate to hold the reins during a time of economic prosperity in South Dakota and artist John Lopez somehow managed to portray that sense of confidence and success in his bronze.

Charles Herreid - 4th Governor of South Dakota

“We are confident a donor will step forward to honor Gov. Herreid. He provided valuable leadership for South Dakota as well as Dakota Territory and McPherson County.” ~ Foundation President Rick Jensen



Governor George T. MickelsonGov. George T. Mickelson graces the Capitol grounds along Nicollet Avenue. He was and still is – thanks to artist James Michael Maher – a sharp dresser in a double-breasted suit with two-toned shoes. He’s wearing a big grin and has a long stride as a tall man.

At first glance it seems as though he’s about to cross the street, having left the Capitol building for the day. He most certainly looked just like that, at that exact same spot, 65 years ago. Looking at the face of our 18th governor, those who knew his son George S. can spot some of the same facial features, the grace and easy humor both possessed.

Little did George T. know that his son with the interesting middle name of Speaker would follow in his footsteps as the state’s chief executive officer.

George T. Mickelson - 18th Governor of South Dakota

“Our family has many wonderful memories of living or hearing of stories about life in the Governor’s Residence with my father. We wanted to honor him.” ~ Donor Patricia Mickelson Adam



Governor Richard KneipGov. Kneip is located along Broadway Avenue near Capitol Lake. He’s within a couple of blocks from the Kneip office building that also honors him. His bronze features the 25th governor smiling, standing with his hand outstretched as so many remember the charismatic leader.

One detail appreciated by many who knew him well is a replica of the large Black Hills Gold ring he wore. Artists Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby surprised the Kneip family members by having additional copies of the ring made and bronzed. They then distributed these to Kneip’s sons during the family’s and friends’ celebration held the weekend of the unveiling. Gov. Kneip would have enjoyed the weekend gathering held in his honor in June.

Richard Kneip - 25th Governor of South Dakota

“Gov. Kneip was so important to me as mentor. It was an honor to contribute to the statue memorializing him and to encourage others to do likewise.” ~ Donor Rich Garry



George S. Mickelson8th Governor of South Dakota

Walter Dale Miller29th Governor of South Dakota

Endowment FundThe foundation established an endowment fund in 2014 for funds to help with the statues’ maintenance and future needs. A total of 32 contributions were made in memory of Gov. Walter D. Miller who died Sept. 28, 2015, and First Lady Patri-cia Farrar who died on Oct. 31, 2015. These contributions raised $11,630 and are acknowledged on the Trail’s website.

Looking to 2016The Trail of Governors Foundation now focuses on the next three governors to be cast in bronze: 13th Gov. Warren Green, 23rd Gov. Nils Boe, and 31st Gov. M. Mi-chael Rounds. The unveiling is planned for June 2016 in the Capitol Rotunda.

Our Donors

The foundation’s official fundraising total was $1,062,857.20 on Dec. 31, 2015.

Fourteen statues are fully funded or pledged, one is one-quarter funded, and 15 require full funding. The South Dakota Community Foundation provides fund guidance and all donations to the non-profit are tax-deductible. Donors contribut-ing one-quarter of a statue ($17,000), one-half ($34,000), three-quarters ($51,000), up to the full contribution ($68,000), receive acknowledgement on that statue’s plaque. All donors are acknowledged on the Trail’s website at www.Trailof Governors.com regardless of amount.

The following list reflects the donor status for each statue along with the years that governor served in office and the year the statue was erected or is planned to be unveiled, if established.

1st Gov. Arthur Mellette, 1889-1893 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012

2nd Gov. Charles Sheldon, 1893-1897 – donors needed

3rd Gov. Andrew Lee, 1897-1901 – donors needed

4th Gov. Charles Herreid, 1901-1905 – donors needed; unveiled in 2015

5th Gov. Samuel Elrod, 1905-1907 – donors needed



William J. Janklow27th and 30th Governor of South Dakota

Frank Farrar24th Governor of South Dakota

6th Gov. Coe Crawford, 1907-1909 – donors needed

7th Gov. Robert Vessey, 1909-1913 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014

8th Gov. Frank Byrne, 1913-1917 – donors needed

9th Gov. Peter Norbeck, 1917-1921 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014

10th Gov. William McMaster, 1921-1925 – donors needed

11th Gov. Carl Gunderson, 1925-1927 – donors needed

12th Gov. William Bulow, 1927-1931 – donors needed

13th Gov. Warren Green, 1931-1933– fully funded; scheduled for 2016

14th Gov. Tom Berry, 1933-1937 – donors needed

15th Gov. Leslie Jensen, 1937-1939 – donors needed

16th Gov. Harlan Bushfield, 1939-1943 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012

17th Gov. Merrill Sharpe, 1943-1947 – donors needed

18th Gov. George T. Mickelson – fully funded; unveiled in 2015

19th Gov. Sigurd Anderson, 1951-1955 – donors needed

20th Gov. Joe Foss, 1955-1959 – fully funded; scheduled for 2017

21st Gov. Ralph Herseth, 1959-1961 – donors needed

22nd Gov. Archie Gubbrud, 1961-1965 – ¼ funded; donors needed

23rd Gov. Nils Boe, 1965-1969 – fully funded; scheduled for 2016

24th Gov. Frank Farrar, 1969-1971 – fully funded; unveiled in 2013

25th Gov. Richard Kneip, 1971-1978 – fully funded; unveiled in 2015

26th Gov. Harvey Wollman, – donors needed; unveiled in 2013

27th Gov. and 30th Gov. William J. Janklow – fully funded; unveiled in 2013

28th Gov. George S. Mickelson – fully funded; unveiled in 2014

29th Gov. Walter D. Miller, 1993-1995 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012

31st Gov. M. Michael Rounds, 2003-2011 – fully funded; scheduled for 2016



Donors To-Date$68,000 +First National Bank, First Savings Bank, Capital Card ServicesFamily and Friends of William J. JanklowBankwest/Charles Burke II, Pierre, SD

$51,000 +Leroy and Charlene Foster, Pierre, SD

$34,000 +Linda Mickelson Graham, Sioux Falls, SDGary and Connie Grittner, Fort Pierre, SDMansour and Ruth Karim, Pierre, SDDavid and Rebecca Scott, Geddes, SDMatthew and April Smart, Pierre, SDSouth Dakota Retailers AssociationDr. Karl and Margaret A. Cash Wegner, Sioux Falls, SD

$17,000 + American Bank and Trust, Miller SDThomas and Patricia Adam, Pierre, SDBeck Motor Company, Pierre, SDGov. Walter D. Miller Memorial/Lance and Julie Burma, Bloomington, MNFarm Credit Services of AmericaDr. Frank and Pamela Foss, Mankato, MNGovernor’s Inn/Leroy Foster and John Poncelet, Pierre, SDLt. Governor Steve and Suzette Kirby, Sioux Falls, SDG Mark and Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls, SDCurtis D. and Kimberley A. Mortenson, Fort Pierre, SDRonald D. and Linda J. Olinger Honoring Jerry WheelerGus and Jan Ritchey, Holly, MISouth Dakota Community FoundationTom and Mary Tveit, Pierre, SD

$10,000 +David and Christine Billion, Sioux Falls, SDJoe and Kathryn Carmody, Sioux Falls, SDMickelson Family FundThomas and Kristin (Carmody) Reaves, Sioux Falls, SDCharles and Bonny Schroyer, Pierre, SD

$5,000 +Karlton and Joan Adam, Pierre, SDBrokaw Family FoundationRobert and Rebecca Christen-Pohlad, Minneapolis, MNDakota State BankMary Joe Foss Finke, Sun City West, AZNancy Jahnke, Minneapolis, MNRalph “Shorty” and Maxine Jones, Midland, SDTom and Janis Kelley Family, Sioux Falls, SD

$2,500 +BankWest – Governor Arthur Mellette AlcoveMsgr. James M. Doyle, Sioux Falls, SDDonald B. Garry, Sioux Falls, SDCandace and Dan Garry, Saint Paul, MNRich and Mary Garry, Sioux Falls, SDRick and Ana Jensen, Pierre, SDAaron and Renee (Miller) Johansen Family, Rapid City, SDKurt and Elisa Kneip Family, Chandler, AZRobert and Joyce Kneip, Arlington, SDGov. Walter D. and Patricia Miller, Fort Pierre, SDTed and Karen Muenster, Vermillion, SDRegency Midwest Ventures, LP, Sioux Falls, SDBill and Tina Van Camp, Fort Pierre, SDCharles and Patricia Van Gerpen, Pierre, SD



$1,000 +Stanford and Lynda Adelstein, Rapid City, SDAnonymousDr. Samir and Mary Abu-Ghazaleh, Sioux Falls, SDThomas and Sherry Assmus, Littleton, CORichard and Susan Beckman, Burnsville, MNJack and Deb Billion, Sioux Falls, SD BPro Inc – In Kind Craig Burma, McKinney, TXHarlan and Marcella Bushfield, Sun City, AZJohn and Deb Bushfield, Miller, SDRobert and Suzanne Bushfield, Arlington, VAJohn and Prudy Calvin, Watertown, SDCapitol Bancorporation Inc /Frank Farrar, Britton, SDCity of Pierre – In KindCountry Carpet and Flooring, Pierre, SDDakota Classique Rock – In Kind Dakota Prairie Bank, Fort Pierre, SD – In KindTimothy Dougherty and Karen Schreier, Sioux Falls, SDJudith Olson Duhamel, Rapid City, SDDana and LaDawn Dykhouse, Sioux Falls, SDKarl and Eileen Fischer, Fort Pierre, SDJoe H. Floyd, Harrisburg, SDKevin and Melissa Garry, Sioux Falls, SDSteve and Alli Garry, Sioux Falls, SD George A. Huff, IV, Chamberlain, SDMike and Ellen Javernick, Loveland, COJames Jennings, Spearfish, SDSen. Tim and Barbara Johnson, Sioux Falls, SDDave and Jan Johnson, Estelline, SDTom and Julie Kelley, Sioux Falls, SDDan and Arlene Kirby, Sioux Falls, SDCharlie and Judy Kneip, Sioux Falls, SDDavid and Sara Kneip, Brookings, SD

Greg and Pam Kneip, Sioux Falls, SDPaul and Kellie Kneip, Sioux Falls, SDDave and De Knudson, Sioux Falls, SDDoug and Karen Kroeplin, Highmore, SDCurtis and Janet Liedtke, Sturgis, SDMaher Law Office, LLP, Pierre, SDJeff and Lynn Marso, Sun Valley, CAKevin and Deb (Kneip) McDermott, Nashville, TNGary and Deb McKellips, Sioux Falls, SDRoger and Wilma McKellips, Sioux Falls, SDMark V. Meierhenry, Sioux Falls, SDMidwest Construction, Inc., Pierre, SD – In KindEston Miller, New Underwood, SDSteve and Mary Lynn Myers, Sioux Falls, SDSteve and Cathy Garry Peterson, Salem, SDPryntcomm, Pierre, SD – In Kind Alvin Schoeneman, Sioux Falls, SDThe Hayzlett Group, Inc., Brandon, SDC. Ann Thompson, Sioux Falls, SDCharles M. Thompson, Pierre, SDTonnis H. and Sara Venhuizen, Pierre, SDJeff and Linda Lea Viken, Rapid City, SDDeborah Bushfield Windemiller, Hampton, NHGov. Harvey and Anne Wollman, Frankfort, SDPeter and Elisabeth Work, Washington, DCRandolph Walling, Sioux Falls, SDWells Fargo BankWR Restaurants Management, LLC/Red Rossa

$500 +Acorn Trust CompanyQuinton and Rebecca Bauer, Verona, MOKeith Bergh, Sioux Falls, SDBrule County Democrats



$500 + ContinuedDick and Bev Casey, Sioux Falls, SDTerry and Sharon Casey, Chamberlain, SDCade, Reagan and Coen Caldwell, Lakewood, COSen. Thomas Daschle, Washington, DCStephen Ellwein, Fort Pierre, SDFlora Foster, Hot Springs, SDGrandpre Photography, Pierre, SD – In KindGene Hammond, Travelers Motor Club, Brandon, SDRoger Haugo, Sioux Falls, SDRichard Huff, Chamberlain, SDInfotech Solutions, LLCDustin and Jacquelyn Johnson, Mitchell, SDKevin Kneip, West Bloomfield, MIJake and Phyllis Krull, Watertown, SDMary Lamont, Aberdeen, SDAllyn Lockner Trust, Topeka, KSJerry and Berniece Mayer, Sioux Falls, SDPaul and Wendy Meyers, Aberdeen, SDMark Nelsen, Sioux Falls, SDTimothy and Mei Oviatt, Watertown, SDGary and Linda Pashby, Sioux Falls, SDEmil and Chloe Reutzel, Coronado, CADr. Ernest and Linda Schabauer, Rapid City, SDShowplace Wood Products, Inc.Family of Bonnie Farrar Tomlin, Kansas City, MORandall and Mary Turner, Pierre, SDJon Urbach, Pierre, SD Keith and Nan Venhuizen, Armour, SDTheodore and Kathleen Weiland, Weiland Funeral Chapel, Madison, SD

$250 +Emily Assmus, Littleton, CO

Kyle B., Craig A. and Kurt R. Beckmann, Burnsville, MNCampbell County BankDuane and Barbara Butt, Fort Pierre, SDFrank and Sue Denton, Beresford, SDPat Dougherty, Sioux Falls, SDDennis and Shirley Eisnach, Pierre, SDLaurie Fulton, Alexandria, VADavid and Karen Gerdes, Fort Pierre, SDDr. Paul Gnirk, Rapid City, SDGrant and Mary Gubbrud, Cedar Falls, IAGlenn and Phyllis Jorgenson, Sioux Falls, SDMatt and Stephanie Judson, Pierre, SDMichael W. Kneip Family, Goodyear, AZDennis McFarland, Sioux Falls, SDScott McGregor, Rapid City, SDClaudia B. Merthan, Eureka, SDDenny Pierson, Sioux Falls, SDSteven M. Pirner, Pierre, SDO. Larry Anderson and Marilyn Pruitt, Sioux Falls, SDAndrew Norris and Sally Sheridan, Santa Barbara, CAR.T. Skjonsberg, Fort Pierre, SDGary and Shirley Spilde, Beresford, SDM.D. Sullivan, Sioux Falls, SDLinda Theobald, Pierre, SDAlan and Deb Vedvei, Lake Preston, SD

$100-$249Al and Pat Akerson, Sioux Falls, SDJoshua and Katie Albers, New Underwood, SDJustin and Robin Albers, New Underwood, SDDuane Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD Matthew Assmus, Los Angeles, CAAnita Sarkees Bahr, Kennebunk, MEMike and Stacy Bartlett, Pierre, SD



$100-$249 ContinuedBob and Jodie Beadle, Bowdle, SDBrad and Jean Blow, Pierre, SDEric and Cheryl Bogue, Faith, SDArne and Doris Brown, Brookings, SDRobert and Donna Burns, Brookings, SDTadd Harlan Bushfield, Peoria, AZJan Busse, Highmore, SDTara Liedtke Carlson, Sturgis, SDHerbert and Sydna Cheever, Minneapolis, MN Cooler’s Drive Thru, Pierre, SDJanet B. Cronin, Gettysburg, SDScott and Brenda Currier, Pierre, SDTai Liedtke Dornfeld, Sturgis, SDLarry Eliason, Pierre, SDJeff Endrizzi, Milbank, SDBooth and Rita Fellers, Sun Valley, AZLeslie Forester, Saratoga Springs, NY Clyde and Sharon Fredrickson, Britton, SDBen Fry, Peoria, AZJulianne Fry, Peoria, AZNeil and Molly Fulton, Fort Pierre, SDDale Gullickson, Sioux Falls, SDGustafson Builders, Rapid City, SDHaraldson Family, Sioux Falls, SDDr. James O. and Dora Hansen, Pierre, SDJohn and Judi Hostler, Blunt, SDJamie and Paula Huizenga, Pierre, SDChris and Melissa Hull, Pierre, SDSteve and Sheila Ingram, Fort Pierre, SDMarcee Bushfield Kahan, Peoria, AZDaniel and Connie Kneip Family, New Prague, MNBob and Jane Kolbe, Sioux Falls, SDJerred and Lisa Koppmann, Rapid City, SD

Jacqueline Garry Lampert, Columbus, OHLoren and Sophie Leitzke, Ipswich, SDMike and Barbara Lewis, Rapid City, SDChuck and Barbara Lien, Rapid City, SDDennis and Marlene Marso, Harrold, SDThomas and Jean Nicholson, Sioux Falls, SDRoger and Nila Novotny, Pierre, SDMichael O’Connor, Sahuarita, AZAlice Odegard, Brookfield, WILarry and Beth Picek, Huron, SDScott and Maryanne Petersen, Sioux Falls, SDJan Rasmussen, Belvidere, SDDarold and Cindy Rounds, Wessington Springs, SDMurray and Helen Rowe, Canton, SDLyle and Rhonda Rowen, Miller, SDRodney J. Sather, Vivian, SDScott Schuetzle, Pierre, SDBrad and Laurie Schultz, Pierre, SDWilliam and Sochae Sinclair, White River, SDJohn and Vicki Sleger, Highmore, SDV.J. and Julie Smith, Brookings, SDJohn E. “Matt” and Helen Sutton, Jr., Sioux Falls, SDRuth Sutton, Bonesteel, SDNorman and Bette Thompson, Plankinton, SDAlec and Helen Vedvei, Lake Preston, SDGale and Jan Walker, Parkston, SDToni Liedtke Wilson, Sturgis, SD

$50-$99Walt and Lynn Bixler, Pierre, SDJean Ann Brakke, Presho, SDScott and Laura Carbonneau, Pierre, SDJerry L. Cozad, Sioux Falls, SDHarley Furrey, Winner, SDMarilyn Koch, Pierre, SDJo LaRoche, Fort Pierre, SD



$50-$99 ContinuedMargaret Logan, Banner, WYEd and Kathy Mallett, Watertown, SDJim and Annie Mehlhaff, Pierre, SDMichael and Sara Ogdon, Littleton, CO Judy and Jessica Page, Pierre, SDDana and Rebecca Randall, Roscoe, SDWayne Viessman, Gary, SDTed and Shannon Williams, Redfield, SD

$25-$49Jane Andrich, Lake Zurich, ILMarcella Effertz, Sioux Falls, SDJerry and Lois Erbe, Pierre, SDEthan J. Fish, Milbank, SDDonald O. Jacobs, Sioux Falls, SDMary B. Nafus, Pierre, SDGeorge and Valois Strandell, Rapid City, SDKen Wetz, Newell, SD

$1-$24Mary Lou Bethke, Pierre, SDDoug Decker, Pierre, SDKen and Diane Headrick, Sioux Falls, SDShirley Helgesen, Pierre, SD

Endowment Fund$8,000Lance and Julie Burma, Bloomington, MN

$500 +City of PierreDallerie Davis, Rapid City, SDLeroy and Charlene Foster, Fort Pierre, SDRick and Ana Jensen, Pierre, SD

$250 +G. Mark and Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls, SD

$100-$249BankWestLinda Mickelson Graham, Sioux Falls, SDArlene Ham, Rapid City, SD Garry Neiderworder, Rapid City, SD Charles and Bonny Schroyer, Pierre, SDJoyce Tidball, Fort Pierre, SD

$50-$99Brent and Lynette Berry, Jamestown, NDSteve and Cindy Kidrowski, Minneapolis, MN Mike and Jackie Kunz, Jamestown, NDDr. Edward R. McLaughlin and Doris Marie Strom, Rapid City, SDCharles and Patricia Van Gerpen, Pierre, SD

$25-$49Douglas and Merri Brueske, Jamestown, ND Katherine A. Kinsman, Rapid City, SDDonald and Roberta Kramlich, Jamestown, ND Randall D. and Janet K. Miller, Jamestown, NDAllen G. and Dianne D. Nelson, Rapid City, SD John and DeAnn Nystrom, Pierre, SDCara L. and Jim M. Porter, Jamestown, NDDonald D. and Rosemary Rounds, Pierre SDJames L. and Karen L. Stein, Brookings, SD Steven L. and Sandra J. Zinter, Fort Pierre, SD

$1-$24Harrold Steakettes Cowbells, Harrold, SDMike and Gail Ferris, Pierre, SDJLB and Company LLC, Pierre, SDFrank Jr and Betty Ann Klosterman, Rapid City, SDPat Monson, Pierre, SD



Arthur Mellette - 1st Governor of South Dakota

Peter Norbeck - 9th Governor of South Dakota Harlan Bushfield - 16th Governor of South Dakota



For more information on making a donation, contact the Trail’s Foundation Board by emailing [email protected] or calling (605) 454-0689; or calling the South

Dakota Community Foundation at (605) 224-1025 or (800) 888-1842.

Contributions may be sent to: Trail of Governors, 1714 N Lincoln, Pierre, SD 57501.

visit www.TrailofGovernors.comLike us on Facebook!

Photographs courtesy of Grandpre Photography, Pierre, SD.

Graphic design for this report provided courtesy of BPro Inc., Pierre, SD.

Harvey Wollman26th Governor of South Dakota

Trail of Governors Foundation – Board of Directors Patricia Mickelson Adam

Leroy FosterRick Jensen

Patricia MillerChuck SchroyerTina Van Camp

Patricia Van Gerpen

Trail of Governors Foundation – Advisory MembersBrian Allen

Brooke BohnenkampTom FarnsworthStephanie JudsonMansour Karim

Mike MuellerLeah Svendsen

Tony Venhuizen

Dallerie Davis, Artist Liaison

Robert Vessey7th Governor of South Dakota

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