Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Past recipients of the Minnesota Valley Lutheran “Spirit of MVL Award” are pictured at the recognition ceremony Saturday. Standing L to R: Rev. Jon Enter, Keith Wessel, Paul Willems, Perry Meyers, Lloyd Schauer, Paul Holzhueter, Bob Dittrich, Kelsey Horn, (Warren and Rachel Krohn Family), Dennis Jaspersen, Gayle Bauer, Gene Rodewald. Seated: Mark and Vivian Smith, Donna Luepke, Mae Tacke, Jan Fredrich and Becky Markgraf.

NEW ULM–The Spirit of Minnesota Valley Lutheran Recognition Reception and Fundraising Gala was held Saturday at the New Ulm Convention Center.

Each year since 2008 MVL has honored people associated with the school. This year in honor of MVL’s 40th school year, the school chose to honor all previous recipients of the Spirit of MVL award. Of the past 31 past award recipients, 17 were able to attend for the reception and gala fundraiser.

One of the first recipients of the Spirit of MVL award, Becky Markgraf was able to attend the event. Markgraf was the first school secretary at MVL during the 1979 school year. Markgraf served there 16 years.

“I loved it,” she said. “It was always fun to go to work.”

Her son, Dan Markgraf, was among the first class to graduate from MVL.

Mae Tacke was awarded the Spirit of MVL award in 2016. She held several positions including Administrative Assistant, Account and Admission Advancement Coordinator.

Tacke said she came to New Ulm the year MVL started, but admitted it did not feel like 40 years had gone by.

“I got involved with MVL for my kids,” she said. Tacke wanted a faith-based education for her kids and four decades laters she still supports schools like MVL.

The speaker for the awards reception was Keith Wessel. Wessel is a native of New Ulm and a professor at Martin Luther College (MLC).

Wessel was among the first graduates of MVL. He said when he began high school in the basement of St. Paul’s school he did so reluctantly because, he like others, wanted to be Martin Luther Academy graduates. Those plans changed when the synod voted to close MLA in 1978.

Wessel said it was a disappointment at the time, but with 40 years of perspective he now has an appreciation for the way the Lord works things out for the best.

He said the Spirit of MVL began as a slight breeze, but has remained steady and constant over 40 years.

“As a parent who myself is a graduate, who has three graduates and two more who are still here, I am most thankful for the Spirit of MVL.”

The previous Sprit of MVL recipients includes:

2008: Jerry Birkholz, Les & Ardella Enter, Becky Markgraf, the original 45 students

2009: Jim Bauer, Marvin & Loraine Henning, Gene Rodewald

2010: Allan & Ellen Mueller, Paul Willems, Treasure Haus Founders

2011: Jim Hermanson, Rev. Dan Kramer, Warren & Rachel Krohn Family

2012: Jerry Bentz, Pat Meyer, Eric Woller

2013: Paul Holzhueter, Dennis Jaspersen, Lloyd Schauer

2014: Jan Fredrich, Bob Hinnenthal, Donna Luepke

2015: LeRoy & Caroline Black, Kurt Troge, St. Paul’s New Ulm

2016: Bob Dittrich, Kevin Hulke, Mae Tacke

2017: Rev. Jon Enter, Perry Meyer, Mark & Vivian Smith