Staff photo by Fritz Busch Karla and Duane Hansel receive the 2025 Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club of New Ulm at the New Ulm Country Club Tuesday.

NEW ULM — Karla and Duane Hansel were honored Tuesday as 2025 Sertoma Club Service to Mankind award winners at the New Ulm Country Club.

The award recognizes a local person for their time, talent and services to those in need in the New Ulm area without seeking recognition in return. Recipients are chosen based on their service achievements and impact.

Duane Hansel spoke humbly about the award.

“When I was called about this, it took my breath away,” said Hansel. “I thought of how blessed we are to live in a community with so much kindness for others. Being a volunteer has helped me get in touch with a lot of giving people. Karla and I have to acknowledge the work of all these wonderful people and for this great honor. Thank you.”

The Hansels were cited for their accomplishments at the Way of the Cross, Laundry Love, which partners with local laundromats to wash clothes and bedding of low-income and no-income families and individuals, New Ulm’s Own Fair Trade and Art, and Ivy House, a 24/7 crisis nursery.

Steve Gehrke talked about Way of the Cross and the Hansels.

“Duane takes initiative to get things done like Way of the Cross. When he sees something that needs to get done, he gets it done. He’s gone as far away at the Pine Ridge Reservation (in southeastern South Dakota) to repair homes,” said Gehrke.

“Philippians 2:3-4 fits him. ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others,” Gehrke said.

Barb Olson, who received the 2024 Service to Mankind Award, said the Hansels “work so graciously, making our community more loving.”

“They help with Laundry Love, which began serving 16 people in 2019 and now serves 55. Karla is a leader in our community that cares for each other this way, providing kid’s clothes and gas cards plus organizing an Alzheimer’s support group. Nobody is more cherished in this world that someone who lightens the load of another,” said Olson.

Former Ivy House director Trisha Homan said the award is a small way to show appreciation for how the Hansels stand up for the community.

A proclamation by New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer proclaimed May 20 Karla and Duane Hansel Day in New Ulm.