Terry Beck Scholarship Exceeds Fundraising Goal
November 6, 2021 November 6, 2021 by kcfadogs
KCFA is pleased to announce that fundraising for the Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship has exceeded the original goal of $15,000. Subsequently, KCFA President Jan Holewsinski and Treasurer Mabel Schumacher recently presented a check for $20,000 to Sue Hartwick, executive director of the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, to fund the inaugural scholarship!
The scholarship was established in memory of Fort Atkinson's Terry Beck, a Marine Scout Dog Handler killed in action along with his K-9 partner, Seato, while serving in Vietnam.
To learn more about this new scholarship for students going into protective services fields, check out these local news articles:
Daily Jefferson County Union:
Kennel Club of Fort exceeds Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship fund goal | Fort Atkinson | dailyunion.com
FortAtkinsonOnline.com:
Fort scholarship formed in memory of Marine K-9 handler Beck – FortAtkinsonOnline.com (Fort Atkinson Online LLC)
Scholarship criteria and guidelines are available at the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation's website:
Guidelines (fortfoundation.org)
Categories In the News, Projects
KCFA Founder Marleen LaPlant Passes
August 5, 2021 August 7, 2021 by kcfadogs
One of KCFA's three founding members, Marleen LaPlant, passed away on July 1, 2021. Marleen grew up on a farm and had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs and dairy cows. Marleen raised and competed in conformation and obedience with her three Dalmatians, Dottee, Stormee and Mistee.
She also made therapy dog visits to area nursing homes and libraries, etc. and was extremely active in the kennel club, doing everything from instructing classes to serving as the fun match secretary. Marleen always encouraged dog sport "newbies," making sure they had the information and equipment they needed, and she enthusiastically celebrated everyone's accomplishments and successes.
In addition to "all things dog," Marleen enjoyed traveling around the U.S., and bowling competitively. She worked the majority of her career at Nasco, retiring in 2008 after 45 years of service. Marleen was a strong leader, a great friend to so many, and she loved a good laugh!
Marleen is survived by her husband, John LaPlant, along with other relatives and many friends. See Marleen's full obituary by clicking the link below.
Marleen LaPlant Obituary
FortAtkinsonOnline.com 's Chris Spangler posted this tribute to Marleen:
https://fortatkinsononline.com/off-the-record-kennel-club-co-founder-marleen-laplant-remembered/
Categories In the News
"Puppy Serenade" Dedicated at Rock River Park
June 20, 2021 June 21, 2021 by kcfadogs
"Puppy Serenade" at Rock River Park, Fort Atkinson
"Puppy Serenade," a bronze statue honoring the founders of the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, was recently unveiled in front of an appreciative crowd at Rock River Park.
Patty Beran, Rita Hasel, and Marleen LaPlant began meeting in 1991 to train their dogs together, eventually founding what is now an active non-profit all-volunteer community organization.
Fort Atkinson Online's Chris Spangler covered the unveiling ceremony and celebration. Read her full story and view numerous photos from the event by visiting https://fortatkinsononline.com/puppy-serenade-dedicated-in-rock-river-park/.
The statue stands near a new drinking water fountain, providing refreshment for humans and canines, and includes a bench for park users to "paws" and take a rest. The installation is near the disc golf course, along the drive between the archery range and the Clubhouse.
Update: Puppy Serenade made the front page of the Daily Jefferson County Union. To read the PDF visit our Puppy Serenade project page.
Categories In the News, Special EventsTags dedication, founder, fountain, puppy serenade, statue, unveiling
Marine Terry Beck Scholarship Announced at K9 Veterans Day Virtual Event
March 12, 2021 March 16, 2021 by kcfadogs
Marine Terry Beck and K9 Seato
As part of the 2021 K9 Veterans Day ceremony , The Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, Inc. (KCFA) announced the creation of a scholarship in memory of Marine Scout Dog Handler Terry Beck. Beck was an 18-year-old Fort Atkinson resident killed in action with his K9 partner, Seato, in Vietnam in December 1967.
This scholarship, in recognition of Terry Beck's passion to protect and serve his country and its citizens, will offer financial support to Fort Atkinson High School graduates who plan to enter the field of protective services.
A fundraising campaign has been launched in support of this scholarship, with a goal of $15,000 to be raised by September 1, 2021.
Contributions may be sent to: KCFA – Terry Beck Scholarship, c/o Mabel Schumacher, Treasurer, 848 Messmer Street, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538. Checks should be made payable to "KCFA – Terry Beck Scholarship."
The KCFA has been honoring K9s and their handlers for the past several years, working to establish March 13th as Wisconsin's K9 Veterans Day, and hosting annual celebrations of the event. Due to the pandemic, this year's recognition was held virtually, honoring seventeen K9s. The Marine Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship was announced at the event, with speakers including Mabel Schumacher, KCFA Treasurer; Gary Wolfram, a friend of Terry Beck's; and Army Veteran Richard Miles.
Please visit https://youtube/qmLIeCK3pWE to view the 2021 K9 Veterans Day Virtual Event video (approximately 17 minutes in length).
For more details about the Marine Terry Beck Scholarship, please follow these links:
Fundraising Brochure Terry Beck Scholarship
Fundraising Letter Terry Beck Scholarship
Press Release Terry Beck Scholarship
We hope you will consider making a donation in support of this scholarship, established in memory of Terry Beck and Seato, and the ultimate sacrifice they made. Thank you!
Coverage of K9 Veterans Day Virtual Event and Scholarship Announcement by FortAtkinsonOnline.com
Daily Jefferson County Union article 2021 03 Mar 15-1
K9 Veterans Day K9 Veterans Day is officially observed on March 13th in Wisconsin.
K9 Veterans Memorial The K9 Veterans Memorial at McCoy Park, Fort Atkinson, honors all working K9s and features Marine Terry Beck and Seato.
Categories In the News, Projects, Special EventsTags K9, scholarship, terry beck, veteran
The Project Lead XXXII group overcame many obstacles in completing their goal to make Fort Atkinson even more dog-friendly. KCFA member Heather Traxler was an integral part of the 2020 Project Lead team. As a result of the group's efforts, dogs and their people can now quench their thirst, rest their legs, and find pick-up bags as well as essential training tips, in many additional locations around town.
The Daily Jefferson County Union ran an extensive article with many photos: Project Lead DU article 7.30.20
KCFA publicly congratulated the 2020 Project Lead group with a letter to the editor: Ltr to DU editor re Project Lead 7.29.20
November 28, 2017 May 4, 2018 by kcfadogs
Members, former members and friends of the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson celebrated the club's 25th anniversary with a gathering at the Fort Atkinson American Legion Dugout on Sunday, October 29.
Club founders Patty Beran, Marleen LaPlant and Rita Hasel are pictured here with a congratulatory plaque from the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce.
Visit our Join the Fun page for more photos.
Categories In the News, Special EventsTags 25th, anniversary
March 13th officially declared K9 Veterans' Day in Wisconsin
April 15, 2015 October 7, 2021 by kcfadogs
On March 17, 2015 state legislation was passed in to declare March 13th K9 Veterans' Day in Wisconsin. KCFA treasurer, Mabel Schumacher, was in attendance for the passing of the legislation.
View more details on the effort to recognize K9 Veterans' Day on our project page
Categories In the News, Projects, Special Events