About Us
The Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association is a 501.c.3 Non-Profit committed to building the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial
Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
The Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association was founded December 17, 2017, through the collaborative efforts of members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9511, American Legion Post 113 and Chapter IV of the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans organizations.
The Mission
The Mission of the Association is to celebrate, honor and remember the accomplishments, sacrifices and efforts made on behalf of our citizens by our veterans, by constructing this memorial and upon completion will dedicate it to the Village of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Our goal is to raise $575,000 for the acquisition of land, design, construction and perpetual care of this memorial. Please join us as a member, friend, and supporter by donating today.
President - Donald G. Hartman
Don served in the U.S. Air Force, as a Staff Sergeant, from 1967- 1971 and served two tours in Vietnam in 1968. He returned to Wisconsin and has resided in rural Mount Horeb for over 40 years. He is a member of the Mount Horeb Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9511 and active in the Honor Guard. He is also a member of the American Legion and the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter IV. Don began a 32 year career with the State of Wisconsin, serving in the Department of Transportation’s Highway Design Section. While with the DOT, he honed his skills designing unique highway projects for 16 years. He then turned to graphic design and video communications – producing, directing and editing video communications for major highway projects and educational videos for highway safety. After retiring from State service in 2004, he channeled his energy and creativity doing taxidermy. He also enjoys being active in community organizations and over the past 10 years, has written and been awarded 9 funding grants for nonprofit groups in the Mount Horeb area. Don was the lead VFW member on a exploratory committee to create a Veterans Memorial in Mount Horeb. The committee was comprised of members of American Legion, VFW and Vietnam Veterans Chapter IV. This group was the foundation and catalyst for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association. Don’s ideas and imagination has been instrumental in the design and development of the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial.
Don continues to be active on community Boards and Councils:
- Executive Director/President Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
- Member Board of Directors, Friends of Donald Park
- Member Friends of the Norsk, marketing committee
- Former Member of St. Mary Pine Bluff church council
- Former Member and President St. Ignatius Church Council
- Present Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9511
Treasurer - Teresa Schult
Teresa Schult, Senior Accountant at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a Degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Teresa is a former TDS Sr. Analyst and Accountant. Teresa is also a coach for Girls on the Run International. She was also an Advancement Coordinator with the Mount Horeb Boy Scouts from 2014-2017. Teresa and her family have lived in Mount Horeb for over 30 years and are members of the Mount Horeb ELC Lutheran Church. Her family includes her husband, Keith and three sons – Lucas, Conrad, and Grant.
Secretary - Diane Hefty
Diane Hefty is a resident of Mount Horeb. Diane recently retired from a 24-year banking career as a teller, personal banker, and mortgage processor. Prior to banking, she spent 24 years dairy farming with her husband. Diana has a son and daughter and five grandchildren which has always kept her busy. Diane has also volunteered at church with religious education and served on the Perry Historical Society committee. Her hobbies include her flowers, arts and crafts, and taking car of her three dogs.
Jeffery Anderson
Jeff was born in Frederic, Wisconsin in 1946 and graduated from Thorp High School in 1965. At the end of his first semester at the University of Wisconsin, Jeff had a grade point average of 1.08 and a letter from the President of the United States advising him that he was being drafted into the United States Army. Jeff did his basic training and Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Fort Riley, Kansas and served with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1967-1968. Returning from the Army, he went back to college and then joined the Eau Claire, WI Police Department. Jeff graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and has been working in the criminal justice system for more than 46 years. Jeff and wife Annette, have resided in the Mount Horeb area since 1978 and have four children and three grandchildren. Together they raise sheep and grandkids on Oak Valley Farm, just south of Mount Horeb. He is a member of the American Legion Post 113 and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9511.
Jeff continues to be active on community Boards and Councils:
· Member – Board of Directors Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
· Member – Parish Council Holy Redeemer Church, Perry
· Member – Parish Council St. Mary of Pine Bluff
· Member – Young Life Board of Directors
John E. Berryman
John served in the U.S. Navy as a Fire Control Technician from 1968-1975. He was stationed for two years on the Destroyer USS Moale DD693. He worked in electronics aboard ship, operating and maintaining the Gun Fire Control radar, computer and related equipment. He then spent five years in the Navy Reserve. He returned to Wisconsin and has resided in Mount Horeb for over 45 years. He is a member of the Mount Horeb American Legion Post 113. John began a 43 year career in 1975 as the owner/operator of his own business, Berryman Water Conditioning, earning a Master Plumber – Restricted Appliance License. John and wife Merita have raised three children and now enjoy seeing their six grandchildren grow up. He recently retired from his business and spends much of his time supporting the Legion’s website, serving as the Post’s Service Officer, and participating in graveside honor services for deceased veterans. John helped with the formation of an exploratory committee to create a Veterans Memorial for Mount Horeb. The committee was comprised of members of American Legion, VFW and Vietnam Veterans Chapter IV. This group was the foundation and catalyst for the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association. John’s ideas and suggestions have been instrumental in the design and proposed location of the Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial. He has been a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 45 years and has participated on several church committees, including the building committee for the current church, built 30 years ago. John is a church choir member, finance committee chair and youth leader.
John continues to be active on community Boards and Councils:
- Member Board of Directors Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
- Service Officer American Legion Post 113 – Previously served on the Frolic Committee
- Member of Mount Horeb Volunteer Fire Department – 9 years
James R. Buechner
In 2015, Jim Buechner retired from Buechner Construction Inc. after running the business for over 30 years. Before that time he helped his father, who owned the business for many years. Jim graduated from UW Platteville in 1976 with a Bachelor Degree in Construction Management and Design. Jim and wife Shirley, operate J & S Management, which manages apartments in the Mount Horeb area. They have two married children and 3 grandchildren and like to spend time with the grandkids and take trips on their Harley-Davidson Motorcycle every summer. Jim was a volunteer firefighter in Mount Horeb for 32 years. Although not a veteran, he is honored to accept a position on the Board of Directors of the Mount Horeb Veteran Memorial Association.
Jim continues to be active on community Boards and Councils:
- Member Board of Directors Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
- Mount Horeb Community Foundation Board of Directors – Finance Committee
- Former Member of Village of Mount Horeb Planning Commission
- Former Village Trustee and President
- St. Michael Catholic Church, finance committee and Chairman building and grounds committee.
- President of the Board Mount Horeb Area Joint Fire Department
Gary L. Friske
Gary graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1966. He served in the US Army (1967-1970) in the First Field Forces – Special Liaison Team – Capitol ROK Infantry Division with a tour in Vietnam (1968). After returning to the states, Gary served 2 years with the US Army Reserve E-Troop – 4th Armor Cavalry Unit. He has resided in Blue Mounds for the last 40 years and is retired after a long career with the Dane County Highway and Transportation Department. Gary serves as Quartermaster, overseeing the financial and operating affairs, for the Mount Horeb Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9511. He participates in graveside honor services for veterans. Gary is also a member of American Legion Post 113 and Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter IV.
Gary is involved with Veteran organizations and is active on local community boards:
- Board of Directors Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
- Board Member Village of Blue Mounds
- Past Commander Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9511
- Financial Officer Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter IV
- Quartermaster Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9511
Paul W. Kellesvig
Paul is a lifelong Mount Horeb area resident, attended Mount Horeb High School and graduated in 1963. Shortly after graduation he was drafted, married to Dawn Fields and reported for duty – all within a week. Paul served in the US Army (1965-67) and was stationed in Korea. He owned and operated Kellesvig Concrete Construction for 22 years. Paul sold the company to Boldt Construction Company and continued to work there as a supervisor for 20 years. Paul and Dawn have three sons, seven grandchildren and all reside in the Mount Horeb area. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Paul continues to be active on area community boards and councils:
- Board of Directors Member Mount Horeb Veterans Memorial Association
- Commander VFW Post 9511 (2004-2018)
- Mount Horeb High School Building Trades Steering Committee (42 years)
- Member of VFW Post 9511 Honor Guard Squad
- Member of Evangelical Lutheran Church Mount Horeb, WI
- Volunteer DNR Hunter Safety Instructor (51 years)
Rebecca L Turner
Rebecca is a 1996 graduate of Mount Horeb High School. She attended basic training immediately following graduation. Her first active duty army posting as a Multi Channel Transmission Radio Operator was at Camp Carroll Army Base in Daegu City, South Korea and she finished her enlistment at Fort Lewis, WA.
Returning to Mount Horeb, Rebecca worked for a short time in the catering industry before enrolling in the Interior Design Program at Madison Area Technical college. As an interior designer and general contractor, Rebecca designed, decorated and remodeled many businesses, homes and condos in Madison and surrounding areas. She has been featured on Houzz, a online community for design and home improvement, and has exhibited her interior design work at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Currently, Rebecca works at Floor 360 as a purchasing coordinator.
Rebecca’s husband, Mike, is also an Army veteran. They met at Ft. Lewis, WA. They have one daughter, Sidney, a seventh grader at Mount Horeb Middle School, who keeps them very busy. An avid reader and ever artistic, Rebecca enjoys painting and sewing in her spare time and has recently turned her hand to repurposing and refinishing furniture.
As an active member of the American Legion, Rebecca has organized fundraisers including the Culver’s Share Day and the Golf Outing.
