“The concept of the Citizen of the Year award is to honor someone who has displayed an effort into assist neighbors and fellow members of the community. There are literally hundreds of things to be done in a community that require the voluntary services of fellow citizens, plus their expertise and of course, many hours of their free time,” Ron Iverson said.
“The efforts of these volunteers make Paynesville a better place to live and raise a family. In addition, this makes for a more viable community. Bev Mueller and Brad Skoglund epitomize the above concepts and their efforts have enhanced our community,” Iverson added. “Therefore, they are deserving of the Citizen of the Year award.
The last “Citizen of the Year” award was presented to Frances Seifert in 1994.
Bev Mueller
Mueller was raised in the Eden Valley area. After high school she received her nursing degree from the St. Cloud School of Nursing and the College of St. Frances in Juliet, Ill. At present, she is attending the University of Minnesota part-time for long-term health care administration.
Bev is presently the patient care administrator and assistant hospital administrator at the Paynesville Area Health Care System. Mueller has worked at the local hospital 21 years.
She is a member of the Minnesota Organization of Nursing Leaders, PEO, second vice president of the Paynesville Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Paynesville United Charity Fund board, Paynesville Hospital Auxiliary, People Promoting Music, former committee member of the Paynesville Community Education, is a member at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Regal, St. Isadores Mission Group and Ladies Council of Catholic Women.
She and her husband, Butch Mueller, have two sons, Josh, 18, a freshman at Concordia College, Moorhead, and Michael, 10.
Mueller feels it is important to promote the community. “Everyone working together makes it so much easier,” she said.
Brad Skoglund
Brad Skoglund was born and raised in Willmar. He attended Willmar Junior College for two years before transferring to Southwest State University in Marshall, where he received his bachelor of science degree in health and physical education. He is in his 12th year as the high school health and physical education instructor. He has coached baseball 12 years, girls basketball 11 years, and this year for the first time, seventh grade football.
For the past seven years, Skoglund has worked with the summer American Legion baseball program. He has also worked hard for his “Field of Dreams,” a lighted baseball field at the Paynesville Area High School for night games.
“I’m glad the light project is done. It took two years to become a reality. The community had given me so much that having a lighted field was something I could give back to the community,” Skoglund said. “A dream of a lighted field was always in the back of my mind, but when I heard Litchfield had free lights for the taking, I decided now was the time,” he added.
“Skoglund has a special knack to bring out the best in young men. Since taking over the Legion baseball team, they have won five Sub Sections and this year finished second in the state. He lists as his interests collecting baseball cards, fishing and his family,” Iverson said.
He and his wife, Terry, have two children, Jackie, 4, and Alexis, 1. “Terry has been the greatest,” Skoglund said of his wife. “She has sold a lot of hot dogs to help raise money for the lights. It’s not easy being a coach’s wife. She has had to put up with a lot,” he added.
“I was really excited to hear of the honor. It is my honest belief in life that we are here to help people, maybe that is why I work with young people,” Skoglund said. “I want to thank the Lions Club for the award. It came as a surprise.”