For 75 years, the Karlstad Lions Club has been proving that a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves can make a tremendous difference in the community they call home.
Members, friends and fellow Lions recently gathered to celebrate the club’s 75th anniversary—a milestone that offered an opportunity not only to look back at the club’s history, but to recognize generations of Karlstad Lions who have lived out the organization’s simple but powerful motto: “We Serve.”
And in Karlstad, they certainly have.
The club’s story began in the fall of 1951. According to an Oct. 18, 1951, article in the Karlstad Advocate, more than 65 people attended a banquet and installation of officers for the newly organized Karlstad Lions Club on Oct. 16. The Hallock Lions Club sponsored the new organization, and those in attendance enjoyed a chicken dinner at the Homestead Cafe. The newspaper reported that “a fine spirit of fellowship prevailed throughout the evening”—words that seem just as fitting 75 years later.
The club went on to hold its Charter Night on Nov. 6, 1951, beginning what would become three-quarters of a century of service to Karlstad and the surrounding area.
75 Years of Finding a Way to Help
While names, faces and even the types of fundraisers have changed over the decades, the purpose behind the Karlstad Lions has remained remarkably consistent: see a need and find a way to help.
Over the years, club members have raised money through everything from spaghetti suppers, corn feeds and pie sales to holiday bingo, community breakfasts, wreath sales, rummage sales, pork feeds and money calendars. There have been talent shows, basketball games with the Hallock Lions Club, vintage snowmobile shows and even mud runs.
Some fundraisers may have disappeared into Karlstad history while others have become traditions, but each represents countless volunteer hours—and dollars that ultimately found their way back into causes that mattered.
The club's reach has extended far beyond any single project. Through the years, Karlstad Lions have supported vision and hearing programs, eyeglasses, the Eye Bank, Leader Dog for the Blind, large-print books, diabetes programs, Camp Courage, Camp Confidence, Can Do Canines, KidSight, childhood cancer efforts and Lions Clubs International Foundation, among many others.
Closer to home, their service has included projects such as birthday bags, diaper drives and hats and mittens drives—practical acts of kindness that can make an immediate difference for a neighbor.
It is difficult to measure 75 years of service simply in dollars or projects. The greater impact can be found in the people helped, children supported, families encouraged and community needs met along the way.
Generations of Lions
Perhaps one of the greatest testaments to the Karlstad Lions Club is the commitment of its members.
The club recognized some remarkable milestones as part of its anniversary history. George Wikstrom has served for 63 years, Gary Cook for 61 years and Wayne Ruud for 48 years—representing a combined 172 years of Lions service between just three members.
The club has also changed with the times. On Oct. 1, 1998, Jackie Benson, Cathy Davis, Maxine Oistad, Myrna Cwikla, Mardyss LaDoucer and Elaine Ruud became the first women installed as members of the Karlstad Lions Club. Today, women continue to be an important part of the club's membership and leadership.
Karlstad Lions have also served beyond the local club. Members have held Zone Chair positions, and Curtis Benson and Kami Anderson have both served as District Governors.
The club's service has been recognized numerous times throughout its history, including zone and region championships, a District 5M11 Overall Award, Club Excellence Awards, Centennial Service Challenge recognition and awards connected to membership, education, sight and hearing.
Numerous Karlstad Lions have also received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship, one of Lions Clubs International Foundation's highest forms of recognition.
Celebrating the People Behind the Service
The 75th anniversary celebration reflected much of what has kept the club going since 1951—fellowship, history, recognition and a shared commitment to service.
Club President Scott Asmus called the celebration to order, with the evening including a candle-lighting ceremony, invocation, meal and a look back at the club's 75-year journey. Krista Pietruszewski provided musical selections, while District Governor Gord Zeglinski and Past International President Brian Sheehan offered remarks.
Past presidents and award recipients were recognized, along with the club's longest-serving members. A memorial segment also provided an opportunity to remember Lions who helped build the organization but are no longer here to celebrate the milestone.
The evening was organized by the club's 75th anniversary committee of Scott Asmus, Elaine Ruud, Bonnie Loveness and Avis Sele.
Current officers for 2026-27 are President Scott Asmus, Secretary Elaine Ruud, Treasurer Wayne Ruud and Tail Twister Avis Sele. Carol Sollund, Jim Sollund, Nancy Lysford and Ron Sele serve on the Board of Directors.
A Legacy Still Being Written
A 75th anniversary naturally invites a community to look backward. There are 75 years of meetings, fundraisers, meals, projects and awards to remember. There are charter members whose names now form part of Karlstad's history and generations of Lions who followed them. There are stories of projects that succeeded, events that became traditions and undoubtedly plenty of long nights spent setting up tables, cooking food, selling tickets and cleaning up afterward.
But perhaps the best way to celebrate the Karlstad Lions Club isn't simply by looking at what it has done.
It's by recognizing what it continues to do.
Seventy-five years after a group gathered for a chicken dinner at the Homestead Cafe and began a new Lions Club, Karlstad still has neighbors willing to give their time for neighbors. It still has volunteers willing to organize the fundraiser, cook the meal, sell the ticket, collect the donations and step forward when someone needs help.
That is the legacy of the Karlstad Lions Club. Not simply 75 years of meetings. Not simply 75 years of fundraisers. But 75 years of people serving people—and making Karlstad stronger because of it.
Congratulations to the Karlstad Lions Club on 75 years of service, fellowship and community. Here's to celebrating a remarkable history—and to the many chapters still waiting to be written.
Arts and Crafts Show returns to East Grand Forks arenas Oct. 3-4
More than 100 vendors will fill two East Grand Forks arenas this weekend as the annual East Grand Forks Arts and Crafts Show returns, offering shoppers an early start on holiday gift hunting while raising money for the arts in the community.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Civic Center, 711 Third St. SE, and the VFW Memorial Arena, 300 15th St. NE.
Shoppers will find a wide range of handmade crafts along with homemade food items. The show has drawn about 2,500 visitors in past years.
The event is organized by the East Grand Forks Arts and Crafts Council, a nonprofit group, and every dollar raised goes toward promoting the arts in East Grand Forks. Over the years, the show has generated more than half a million dollars to support arts programs in local schools and across the community.
Students are also part of the weekend. Student volunteers will be on hand throughout both days helping vendors, and in return they raise money for upcoming band and choir trips.
Admission is $5. Children 10 and under get in free. The show is held indoors, so it goes on rain or shine.
Amanda Scanson is the show director.
Karlstad Club presents Sydney Johnson Helen Keller Sight Award
On Saturday night, the Karlstad Lions celebrated their 75th anniversary. They have supported the Tri-County school and community in so many ways.
One of the awards they presented was to Sydney Johnson. Sydney is the 10th grade daughter of Tracy & Jason Johnson of Karlstad. Sydney received the Helen Keller Sight Award. The Lions recognized Sydney’s courage in tackling the world sightless. We’re all very proud of Sydney! Here is a little history of the Helen Keller award.
Helen Keller and the Lions
In 1925, when Lions International was only seven years old, the legendary Helen Keller spoke to Lions members at their annual convention and challenged them to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” That speech set the Lions’ course. Since then, millions of Lions members worldwide have devoted their service careers to helping people with visual impairments.
Helen Keller Sight Award
Helen Keller Awards are given to honor those who have distinguished themselves on behalf of sight. They are an excellent way to honor a Lion, Lioness, non-Lion individual, business, or organization.
