Benefactor Recognition

CentraCare Foundation Board of Directors presented La Gratitude on May 9 and 16, 2024.

This event recognizes and thanks philanthropic leaders for their generous support of CentraCare and our community.

Click on the names below to see more about their awards.

St. Cloud Recipients on May 9:

And the evening included a special tribute to Marlys (Rodger) Bense, Darwin Bonn, Carl Caspers, Pat Gray, Richard Jolkovsky, MD; William Lee and Mary Torborg to honor them for their contributions to support CentraCare and our community.

Photos from La Gratitude 2024 in St. Cloud
La Gratitude St. Cloud

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Spicer Recipients on May 16:

Photos from La Gratitude 2024 in Spicer
La Gratitude Spicer

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Jim Christensen

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

This award recognizes benefactors for their years of giving, service to CentraCare, community engagement and history of generosity.


Jan and Lee Hanson

2024 Philantropist of the Year

This award recognizes benefactors who are committed to leaving their legacy to CentraCare and building a healthier tomorrow.


John Schnettler

2024 Service to the Foundation Award

This award recognizes benefactors for their work, commitment, and generosity as philanthropists as well as their “over the top” service to CentraCare.


Lou and Leo Louis

2024 Rising Star Award

This award recognizes “rising star” benefactors for their dedication, commitment, involvement, and philanthropy to CentraCare.


David Tilstra, MD

2024 Caduceus Award

This award is presented to a physician who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and humanitarian and/or charitable medical efforts to their community in Central Minnesota. The Caduceus Award nominees are nominated by their peers and selected by members of the Caduceus Committee. Learn more about the Caduceus Society.


Steve Linder

2024 Tradition of Caring Award

This award recognizes benefactors for their generous financial support for programs, services and/or volunteer service to benefit health care.


Mary Wilkens, MD, and Steve Peterson

2024 Rising Star Award

This award recognizes “rising star” benefactors for their dedication, commitment, involvement, and philanthropy to CentraCare.


David Anfinson

2024 Service to the Foundation Award

This award recognizes benefactors for their work, commitment, and generosity as philanthropists as well as their “over the top” service to CentraCare.


Bev Schafer

2024 Visionary Award

This award recognizes benefactors who are committed to leaving their legacy to CentraCare and building a healthier tomorrow.