Submitted photo 2B Continued’s 6th Annual Dancing Like the Stars event raised more than $560,000 to support suicide prevention, mental health and wellness education and outreach across rural Minnesota April 11. Overall winners pictured above are from left, 1st Runner Up Ted and Therese Salonek, Montrose; Grand Champions Marilee and Daryl Peterson, Gibbon; and 2nd Runner Up Sue and Jeff Brandes, Courtland.

GLENCOE — Jeff and Sue Brandes of Courtland finished second overall and third among 12 couples in 2B Continued’s sixth Annual Dancing Like the Stars event at the Glencoe City Center April 11.

Daryl and Marilee Peterson of Gibbon were overall grand champions, taking home the Mirrorball trophy. They also finished first in pre-event fundraising with $81,213 raised, were second in Favorite Costume, Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice contests. Adam and Karlyn Armbruster of Sleepy Eye were third in Favorite Costume competition.

“It was an amazing experience. We were honored to be part of 2B Continued and Dancing Like The Stars,” said Sue Brandes. “It was a wonderful day. They truly treated us like stars. I think the highlight was being able to spend time with the other couples and truly get to know them. That was probably the most relaxing part of the day, hearing their stories, how they came up with their dances and costumes.”

Sue Brandes thanked their choreographer Missy Visser of New Ulm, being able to practice at the New Ulm WELLness Collective and for Tammy Diehn of 2B Continued for “finding a way to keep the legacy going for everyone who lost somebody.”

She said she and Jeff will truly help with future 2B CONTINUED events after taking a rest from months of dancing.

2B Continued Grant Coordinator and Marketing Assistant Kate Curtis said the sold-out event raised more than $560,000 to support suicide prevention, mental health, wellness education and outreach across rural Minnesota.

The event featured pre-event fundraising, multiple levels of judging, scoring and audience voting.

More than 650 people packed the venue. Hundreds more tuned in virtually at 21 watch parties hosted at restaurants, schools, churches and bars.

Dancing Like the Stars proceeds benefit directly support 2B Continued education and outreach initiatives in 22 high schools. Five more high schools will join the program next school year.

Programs include Teen Mental Health First Aid, a six-lesson curriculum taught by certified instructors at no cost to schools. Other programs include Adult Mental Health First Aid, Question, Persuade and Refer; and Safe Talk for Agriculture.

Tammy Diehn of Arlington founded 2B Continued in memory of her sister, Shelly “Teuby” Teubert.

“She is remembered for being a passionate mental health nurse as well as a hospice and home care nurse. She cared for patients with great compassion and empathy, touching many hearts throughout her career. 2B Continued is Shelly’s legacy,” said Diehn, a family nurse practitioner.

“After my sister’s death, I was determined to gain a better understanding about mental health and raise awareness for suicide prevention. I shared my story and connected with other people touched by suicide loss. These connections have been therapeutic for my personal grief recovery,” said Diehn. “People have told me others benefited from my efforts. I believe it is important to talk about mental health. Anyone can play a role in suicide prevention. Together, we can make a difference.”

For more information, visit https://www.2bcontinued.org. The organization does not provide professional mental health services. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text of chat 988.