Lyle C. Pearson Sr. Unit 10
Contact:
| Marilyn Hardt |
| 221 Marshall Street |
| Mankato, MN 56001 |
| 507-420-9549 |
| bimo@hickorytech.net |
Meeting Place: 1900 Riverfront, Mankato, MN
Time: 2nd Tuesday / 7 p.m.
Lyle C Pearson Unit 10 is located in Southern MN about an hour and a half south of the Minneapolis area. Unit 10 is a very large asset to the local DAV chapter out of Mankato in assisting them with many events and programs. Unit 10 helps out with the local clothing donation program in the Mankato area and also helps out with the local county fair and parades around the area. Some other local events that Unit 10 helps out with is the Tune it Up for the Troops event and also selling kettle corn at local events. Unit 10 also pays respect at local events for Veterans Day and ST Patrick’s Day at the local nursing homes. Unit 10 also has BBQ events at the near by Nursing homes and giving veterans a good meal while being in the home. Unit 10 also provides a meal for the local DAV chapter before each meeting.
Below is a history of our Unit and a list of past unit commanders
Mankato Unit No. 10 – Minnesota 1940 – 1989:
The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Mankato No. 10, was chartered on June 30, 1940, with a membership of twenty-five. The charter was signed by National Auxiliary Commander Lily Ginsburg and National Auxiliary Adjutant Ann Weber.
The Mankato Auxiliary is one of nine units listed on the DAV Auxiliary, Department of Minnesota Charter that was issued on August 16, 1946, and signed by National Auxiliary Commander Beatrice Hogan and National Auxiliary Adjutant Ann Weber.
The Mankato Auxiliary has a Junior Charter dated October 8, 1954, with eleven junior members. This charter was signed by National Commander Mae Holmes and National Auxiliary Adjutant Ann Weber.
Mankato Unit 10 is in the National 14th District that includes the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.
The DAV Auxiliary Headquarters is located in Cold Spring, Kentucky.
The Forget-Me-Not is the official flower of the DAV and Auxiliary.
Mankato DAV Auxiliary presently has a membership of 83 seniors and 10 juniors.
Mankato DAV Auxiliary has provided four state commanders: Margaret Blake, Anna Fuller, Katherine Pearson and E. Dee Ahlstrom; two state adjutants: Katherine Pearson and Colleen Bianchi; and one 14th District committeewoman; Katherine Pearson; one 14th District alternate committeewoman: Colleen Bianchi and has furnished one National Auxiliary Commander: Katherine Pearson.
Projects and Programs of Unit 10
Legislative, Community Service, VA Medical Center Volunteer Programs, Junior Activities, Hospital and Health Care Centers, Americanism, National Education Loan, Mankato Scholarships for Auxiliary members of Unit 10, and the nursing program scholarships.
Activities with the Mankato DAV Chapter 10 include St. Peter State Hospital and Security Hospital bingo parties, Memorial Day services, Veteran’s Day activities, Christmas parties or dinners; Forget-Me-Not sales; Volunteer Recognition Night; and joint installation of officers.
Other participation by members are: delegates to state and national conventions, representatives to state and national fall conferences, serve on all veterans council, attendance at the 14th District conferences, an Legislative DAV Day on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. in the VFW Post #9713.
Hospital parties are on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
At present time Ardis Olson of North Mankato is serving as the DAV Auxiliary Department 2nd Jr. Vice Commander after serving last year as the Department Chaplain.
The Last 25 Years; 1990 – 2015:
Meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month in the Morson Ario VFW Post #9713. Members enjoy a meal at 6 pm with Chapter members, have a joint meeting, then the Auxiliary has their meeting at 7 pm.
The Unit has made changes in the past few years. In October, 2003, Mayo Unit 28, Rochester merged with Unit 10. In June, 2009, Hiawatha Unit 35, Winona merged with Unit 10. This increased the area Unit 10 now covers.
National Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary issued a new charter named Lyle C. Pearson, Sr. Unit 10, Mankato.
Since 1990, Unit 10 continues to work closely with the Chapter doing various projects in the community. We are part of the clothing collection program, having 10 clothing bins in the area. We assist with the Forget-Me-Not drive held the Friday before Labor Day. We participate in area parades, help with Kettle Korn, Tee It Up For Troops, the Nicollet County Fair, dancing at the local ballroom, visiting veterans during the holidays, Memorial Day services, Veteran’s Day services, the annual picnic, MAC-V Standdown and wherever needed.
The Auxiliary goes to the four Mankato nursing homes three to four times a year. There are St. Patrick’s Day parties with green beer, the cookouts in the summer, and of course, Veteran’s Day parties. Each party has live music and a special treat. We also include a local Assisted Living facility and the Reichel Townhomes.
Unit 10 has had six State Commanders in the past twenty-five years: Ardis Olson, Sheila Champeau, Rose Erpelding, Frances Benkovics, Audrey Tolzmann and Marilyn Hardt each served two years. Marilyn Hardt served as state adjutant and Cindy Jones is currently serving as State Senior Vice Commander. Tony Giese has served as the State Sergeant-at-Arms for the past six years. Char Giese has served as the State Forget-Me-Not chairman for the past six years. Marilyn and Cindy Jones will be traveling to the National DAV Convention in Denver, Colorado, in August where they will carry the National Colors for the National DAV Auxiliary Commander, LeeAnn Karg.
The Unit participates in Americanism programs, Community Service, Hospital (non VA), Junior Activities, and Legislation.
Currently the Lyle C. Pearson, Sr. Unit 10 Mankato, Minnesota, has 173 senior members and 33 juniors for a total of 206 members.
Current officers for the Lyle C. Pearson, Sr. Unit 10, Mankato, Minnesota are: Commander, Donna Beck; Senior Vice Commander, Cindy Jones; Junior Vice Commander, Rosemary Burgess; Treasurer, Dee Ahlstrom; Chaplain, Char Giese; Adjutant, Marilyn Hardt; State Executive Committee, Char Giese; Alternate State Executive Committee, Deb Mason.
Lyle C. Pearson, Sr. Unit 10
Past Unit Commanders
| Year Served | Name | Year Served | Name | ||
| 1940-1941 | Margaret Blake | 1984-1985 | Charlotte Annis | ||
| 1941-1942 | Margaret Blake | 1985-1986 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||
| 1942-1943 | Geraldine Edmondson | 1986-1987 | Ardis Olson | ||
| 1943-1944 | Cora Peterson | 1987-1988 | Ardis Olson | ||
| 1944-1945 | Edna Westphal | 1988-1989 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||
| 1945-1946 | Esther Kastner | 1989-1990 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||
| 1946-1947 | Caroline Uppstrom | 1990-1991 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||
| 1947-1948 | Harriet Ferris | 1991-1992 | Helen Schwanke | ||
| 1948-1949 | Louise Wange | 1992-1993 | Helen Schwanke | ||
| 1949-1950 | Maysel Maurer | 1993-1994 | Clarice Evans | ||
| 1950-1951 | Karla Miller | 1994-1995 | Clarice Evans | ||
| 1951-1952 | Cedelia Leesch | 1995-1996 | Frances Benkovics | ||
| 1952-1953 | Amy Zempel | 1996-1997 | Frances Benkovics | ||
| 1953-1954 | Marie Wittrock | 1997-1998 | Katherine Pearson | ||
| 1954-1955 | Anna Fuller | 1998-1999 | JoAnn Bianchi | ||
| 1955-1956 | Katherine Pearson | 1999-2000 | Ardis Olson | ||
| 1956-1957 | Adeline Staley | 2000-2001 | Ardis Olson | ||
| 1957-1958 | Lillian Bierl | 2001-2002 | Frances Benkovics | ||
| 1958-1959 | Sue Werner | 2002-2003 | Frances Benkovics | ||
| 1959-1960 | Sue Werner | 2003-2004 | Audrey Tolzmann | ||
| 1960-1961 | Maysel Maurer | 2004-2005 | Audrey Tolzmann | ||
| 1961-1962 | Colleen Bianchi | 2005-2006 | Audrey Tolzmann | ||
| 1962-1963 | Elsie Applen | 2006-2007 | Audrey Tolzmann | ||
| 1963-1964 | Colleen Bianchi | 2007-2008 | Marilyn Hardt | ||
| 1964-1965 | Elsie Applen | 2008-2009 | Marilyn Hardt | ||
| 1965-1966 | Elaine Wilmes | 2009-2010 | Marilyn Hardt | ||
| 1966-1967 | Marjorie Sweiger | 2010-2011 | Charlottte A. Giese | ||
| 1967-1968 | Edna Westphal | 2011-2012 | Charlottte A. Giese | ||
| 1968-1969 | Edna Westphal | 2012-2013 | Charlottte A. Giese | ||
| 1969-1970 | Adeline Staley | 2013-2014 | Charlottte A. Giese | ||
| 1970-1971 | Adeline Staley | 2014-2015 | Donna Beck | ||
| 1971-1972 | Adeline Staley | 2015-2016 | Donna Beck | ||
| 1972-1973 | Adeline Staley | 2016-2017 | Cindy Jones | ||
| 1973-1974 | Florence Ahlstrom | 2017-2018 | Cindy Jones | ||
| 1974-1975 | Florence Ahlstrom | ||||
| 1975-1976 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||||
| 1976-1977 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||||
| 1977-1978 | Dee Ahlstrom | ||||
| 1978-1979 | Bernice Wersal | ||||
| 1979-1980 | Ellen Comstock | ||||
| 1980-1981 | Ellen Comstock | ||||
| 1981-1982 | Ellen Comstock | ||||
| 1982-1983 | Charlotte Annis | ||||
| 1983-1984 | Charlotte Annis | ||||