Our 2009 event honored the memory
of Ron Kristofferson
Ron Kristofferson - 1945-2008
A
lifelong resident of Brainerd, Ron Kristofferson played a major role in the
development of fishing as we know it today. His passion for the sport not only
included catching the big one, it also included research and development of
equipment and techniques along with educating others on how to enjoy the
lifelong sport. Ron never took fishing for granted.
Ron served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam where he was
decorated with three purple hearts. He was a long time member of the famous
Nisswa Guide League where he had the opportunity to share his passion with many
others. He also provided much community service in the Lakes Area and will be
missed by his family and fishing friends.
All the bait for this year’s event is being donated by S &
W Bait so that Ron’s passion for fishing could be shared by many others.
Our 2008 event honored the memory of Tom Hunt - 1951-2008
NISSWA -
Thomas Paul Hunt, age 57, of Nisswa, lost his battle with cancer on Feb. 9,
2008. He was born July 22, 1951, in Odebolt, Iowa, to John and Marion Hunt.
He grew up and received his education in Odebolt and
Denison, Iowa. The love of fishing brought Tom and Nancy to the Nisswa area,
vacationing several times before they moved here in 1983 and built and operated
the Viking Waterslide for 13 years. He was employed by Zercom in Merrifield, the
Brainerd courthouse during tax season and did computer work for Car-Col Sewer
for 12 years. Over the years, he completed 15,000 plus arrows for the What To Do
Wheels. Tom fulfilled his love of fishing by guiding on Gull Lake for several
years. His wife, Nancy, has been employed by Holiday in Nisswa for 21 years. He
will be sadly missed by his relatives and the many friends he has made in the
area over the years.
From the
Brainerd Dispatch
Note: Tom's friends and family members made a
significant donation to our chapter in memory of Tom.
Our 2007 event was held in memory
of two very
special people.
Tyler Magnan - 1985-2006
Tyler
Timothy Magnan was born Sept. 10, 1985, in Lewiston, Maine, to Tim and Monique
(Roy) Magnan. Tyler moved with his family to the Brainerd area in 1987. He
graduated from Brainerd High School in 2004, and worked for Lind Construction.
He was very proud of his accomplishments. He lived life to the fullest, enjoying
many outdoor activities. Fishing was his passion and he especially enjoyed
teaching others to fish. He volunteered at Camp Confidence in the "Fishing Has
No Boundaries" program as well as in other programs taking children and disabled
individuals fishing. Although his life was short, he made a lasting impression.
He will be so greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. (From the Brainerd
Daily Dispatch)
Bob
Lock - 1953-2006
Bob was a volunteer boat captain in 2004 and 2005
at our event. His family members have told us that he greatly enjoyed
participating in our events and that was obvious as he was always cheerful and
made some wonderful connections to our anglers. We will certainly miss
having him with us in 2007 as we know he planned to volunteer again.
Here's a photo of Bob with his crew in 2005.
Click on the image for a larger view.
Click here
to see the 2005 group photo (Bob is in the 3rd row center)
Click here to see the 2004 group photo (Bob is in the upper left portion -
green jacket)
Our 2006 event was held to honor the memory of 3 special people.
Kay
Anderson - 1937-2005
Kay stayed at the
Confidence Learning Center several times and greatly enjoyed spending time with
her fellow group home residents while enjoying what the camp had to offer. Kay
wasn’t into fishing but she enjoyed time on the lake on Dave & Marian Anderson's
pontoon boat as she visited their cabin many times. Her brother (Dave Anderson)
was inspired to start this chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries after having Kay
and her fellow group home residents and staff on his pontoon boat two years in a
row.
Jack (John) Ott - 1928-2006
“Jack lived his life for
people” “Jack was all about people.” He had a unique ability to make everyone
feel special and we were unique and special to him. He found the good in
people. His ability to make you feel special would give you strength and
self-confidence to achieve more and become a better person. Jack would encourage
you, would support you, and believe in you. With that belief, he found great
delight in being a teacher, a coach and later an administrator and principal in
the Minneapolis Public Schools for 33 years.
Jack and his wife (Judy) volunteered with us
and were both always willing to do whatever was needed. Judy will be
joining us again this year as one of our volunteer nurses.
Richard (Dick) Grant - 1923-2006
Our chapter of FHNB was chosen as one of two organizations to receive
memorials from the family and friends of Dick Grant. Dick lived in Rock
Rapids, IA but made frequent trips to his summer home on Ten Mile Lake for many
years where he enjoyed fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.
His daughter (Carol Groenenboom) said: "He was an avid fisherman on Ten
Mile Lake for over 50 years and owned a home there since 1983. He passed
his love of fishing on to his family and we hope these memorials in his honor,
will allow others to experience that joy".
Our heart-felt condolences and thanks go out to the family and friends of
Dick Grant for their generosity and for continuing on his legacy of caring
for others. Click here to
read the entire obituary.
