mages of Robert Vessey, and George S. Mickelson once again enhance ’s Capital City Iof Pierre where all left their mark years ago.

The Trail of ’s Foundation unveiled bronze statues honoring the governors on Nov. 1, 2014 in a Capitol Rotunda celebration that also commemorated South Dakota’s 125th anniversary of statehood. The annual unveiling ceremony, previously held on or adjacent to Flag Day, moved in observance of this special anniversary.

South Dakota Gov. shared historical glimpses and character traits for each honored governor. Family members representing the governors as well as others with a historical tie or appreciation celebrated the leaders’ contributions to the state.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Arthur Mellette – 1st 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Governor Robert Vessey Gov. Robert Vessey was funded by the South Dakota Retailers Association for which he was a founding member in 1897.

The four unveiling his statue were SDRA Executive Director Shawn Lyons, SDRA Board President DeLon Mork, former SDRA Attorney/Lobbyist Ron Olinger who is a Vessey donor along with his wife Linda, and former SDRA Ex- ecutive Director Jerry Wheeler who the Olingers honored with their donation.

Vessey’s bronze likeness harkens back to the days when he was a retail shop owner. Artists Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby illustrated Vessey in early shop- keeper garb with an apron over business attire, and his smile and raised hands greet a well-known customer. Vessey’s resume reflects a multi-faceted man who was not only governor and shop owner, but wore several other hats as well. Vessey’s statue welcomes all who drive by the corner of Capitol Avenue and Nicollet Street, next to the SDRA’s front door. He’s back in business. Gus and Jan Ritchey provided a quarter of Vessey’s funding in memory of Gus’ father and Vessey’s grandson, Bud Ritchey.

Robert Vessey - 7th Governor of South Dakota

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Governor Peter Norbeck Any dedicated South Dakota history student will recognize the landform Artist James Michael Maher replicated at the base of Gov. Peter Norbeck’s bronze statue: The Needles mountain formation in South Dakota’s .

Norbeck masterminded the design of the Needles Highway with its pigtail bridges and granite tunnels framing images of National Memorial. He helped create which at the time was the country’s largest state park, now ranking second. Norbeck was a hands-on leader with ideas to enhance South Dakota’s Black Hills, creating world-class tourism attractions, a thriving visitor industry, and a reliable highway system to transport those visitors. His other passions included well-drilling and wildlife conservation.

Norbeck’s statue stands at the corner of Pierre and Dakota Streets in downtown Pierre. He holds a surveyor’s rod in one hand while pointing with the other, as though plotting his next epic project. Norbeck’s donors are Dr. Karl and Mar- garet Cash Wegner, and David and Rebecca Scott. Those unveiling his likeness in the Capitol Rotunda were the Scotts as well as Norbeck family members, Margaret Cash Wegner and Jim Jennings.

Peter Norbeck - 9th Governor of South Dakota

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Governor George S. Mickelson As the most recent governor whose statue was unveiled in 2014, many in attendance had firsthand memories of beloved giant, Gov. George S. Mickelson.

Mickelson was one of South Dakota’s tallest governors and his accomplishments were also giant. One example is the state’s REDI Fund for economic develop- ment which is still at work. Those at the unveiling recalled the cheerful leader with Speaker as a middle name as well as the deeply sad day his life was lost in a plane crash with other South Dakotans, all while on duty for their state.

Artist Maher’s image shows Mickelson wearing his oft-seen grin, a jacket slung casually over one shoulder, and his hand outstretched to greet a new or old friend. The Fighting Stallions bronze, commissioned in memory of those lost while serving their state on April 19, 1993, can be seen over Mickelson’s shoul- der at his statue’s placement along Capitol Avenue. Mickelson’s donors are First Lady Linda Mickelson Graham, the Mickelson family and the South Dakota Community Foundation, which the former governor helped launch in 1987. Members of his family including First Lady Linda, their three children, several grandchildren, and sister Patricia Mickelson Adam witnessed the unveiling.

George S. Mickelson - 28th Governor of South Dakota

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Looking to 2015 The Trail of Governors Foundation now focuses on the next three governors to be cast in bronze: 4th Gov. Charles Herreid, 18th Gov. George T. Mickelson, and 25th Gov. Richard Kneip. The next unveiling is planned for June 12, 2015 in the Capitol Rotunda. Full funding has been secured for Govs. Mickelson and Kneip, with fund- raising underway for Herreid.

Our Donors The foundation had raised a grand total of $808,598.72 at the close of 2014. Eleven statues are fully funded, two are one-quarter funded, and 17 still require full fund- ing. The South Dakota Community Foundation provides fund guidance and all do- nations are tax-deductible. Donors contributing one-quarter of a statue ($17,000), one-half ($34,000), three-quarters ($51,000), up to the full contribution ($68,000), receive acknowledgement on that statue’s plaque. All donors – regardless of amount – are acknowledged on the Trail’s website at www.Trailof Governors.com.

An endowment fund was created in 2014 for funds to help with the statues’ main- tenance and other needs in the future. Contributions may be made in honor or memory of individuals and this will be acknowledged with the donor’s name.

The following list reflects the donor status for each statue along with the years that governor served in office and the year the statue was erected or is planned to be unveiled, if established.

1st Governor Arthur Mellette, 1889-1893 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012 2nd Governor Charles Sheldon, 1893-1897 – donors needed 3rd Governor Andrew Lee, 1897-1901 – donors needed 4th Governor Charles Herreid, 1901-1905 – donors needed; scheduled for 2015 Harlan Bushfield - 16th Governor of South Dakota 5th Governor Samuel Elrod, 1905-1907 – donors needed

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

6th Governor Coe Crawford, 1907-1909 – donors needed 7th Governor Robert Vessey, 1909-1913 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014 8th Governor Frank Byrne, 1913-1917 – donors needed 9th Governor Peter Norbeck, 1917-1921 – fully funded; unveiled in 2014 10th Governor William McMaster, 1921-1925 – donors needed 11th Governor , 1925-1927 – donors needed; scheduled for 2016 12th Governor William Bulow, 1927-1931 – donors needed 13th Governor , 1931-1933 – donors needed 14th Governor , 1933-1937 – donors needed 15th Governor , 1937-1939 – donors needed 16th Governor Harlan Bushfield, 1939-1943 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012 17th Governor Merrill Sharpe, 1943-1947 – donors needed 18th Governor George T. Mickelson – fully funded; scheduled for 2015 19th Governor , 1951-1955 – donors needed 20th Governor , 1955-1959 – ¼ funded; donors needed 21st Governor , 1959-1961 – donors needed 22nd Governor Archie Gubbrud, 1961-1965 – ¼ funded; donors needed 23rd Governor , 1965-1969 – fully funded; scheduled for 2016 24th Governor , 1969-1971 – fully funded; unveiled in 2013 25th Governor Richard Kneip, 1971-1978 – fully funded; scheduled for 2015 26th Governor Harvey Wollman, – donors needed; unveiled in 2013 27th Governor and 30th Governor William J. Janklow – fully funded; unveiled in 2013 28th Governor George S. Mickelson – fully funded; unveiled in 2014 29th Governor Walter D. Miller, 1993-1995 – fully funded; unveiled in 2012

31st Governor M. Michael Rounds, 2003-2011 – ¼ funded; donors needed; William J. Janklow - 27th and 30th Governor of South Dakota scheduled for 2016

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Donors To-Date $68,000+ $5,000+ First National Bank, First Savings Bank and Capital Card Services Joe and Kathryn Carmody, Sioux Falls, SD William J. Janklow Memorial Fund Pete and Nancy Jahnke, Bloomington, MN Tom and Janis Kelley Family, Sioux Falls, SD $51,000+ Charles and Bonny Schroyer, Pierre, SD Tom and Linda Mickelson Graham – Mickelson Family Fund, Sioux Falls, SD $2,500+ $34,000+ BankWest, Pierre, SD Leroy and Charlene Foster, Fort Pierre, SD Lance and Julie Burma, Bloomington, MN Gary and Connie Grittner, Fort Pierre, SD Robert and Rebecca Christen-Pohlad, Minneapolis, MN David and Rebecca Scott, Geddes, SD Msgr. James M. Doyle, Sioux Falls, SD South Dakota Retailers Association, Pierre, SD Dan and Candace Garry, Saint Paul, MN Dr. Karl and Margaret A. Cash Wegner, Sioux Falls, SD Donald B. Garry, Sioux Falls, SD Rich and Mary Garry, Sioux Falls, SD $17,000+ Rick and Ana Jensen, Pierre, SD Thomas and Patricia Adam, Pierre, SD Kurt and Elisa Kneip Family, Chandler, AZ American Bank & Trust, Miller, SD Robert and Joyce Kneip, Arlington, SD Beck Motor Company, Pierre, SD Gov. Walt and Patricia Miller, Fort Pierre, SD Mansour and Ruth Karim, Pierre, SD Aaron and Renee (Miller) Johansen Family, Rapid City, SD Lt. Governor Steve and Suzette Kirby, Sioux Falls, SD Ted and Karen Muenster, Vermillion, SD Mark G. and Cynthia Mickelson, Sioux Falls, SD Regency Midwest Ventures, LP, Sioux Falls, SD Curtis D. and Kimberley A. Mortenson, Fort Pierre, SD Bill and Tina Van Camp, Fort Pierre, SD Ronald D. and Linda J. Olinger Honoring Jerry Wheeler, Sioux Falls, SD Charles and Patricia Van Gerpen, Pierre, SD Gus and Jan Ritchey, Holly, MI South Dakota Community Foundation, Pierre, SD $1,000+ Matthew and April Smart, Pierre, SD Dr. Samir and Mary Abu-Ghazaleh, Sioux Falls, SD Tom and Mary Tveit, Pierre, SD Thomas and Sherry Assmus, Littleton, CO Richard and Susan Beckman, Burnsville, MN $10,000+ Jack and Deb Billion, Sioux Falls, SD David and Christine Billion, Sioux Falls, SD BPro, Inc., Pierre, SD (in kind) Foster Hospitality, Inc./Governor’s Inn, Pierre, SD Craig Burma, McKinney, TX Thomas and Kristin Carmody Reaves, Sioux Falls, SD

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

$1,000+ Continued Midwest Construction, Inc., Pierre, SD (in kind) Harlan and Marcella Bushfield, Sun City, AZ Eston Miller, New Underwood, SD John and Deb Bushfield, Miller, SD Steve and Mary Lynn Myers, Sioux Falls, SD Robert and Suzanne Bushfield, Arlington, VA Steve and Cathy Peterson, Salem, SD John and Prudy Calvin, Watertown, SD Pryntcomm, Pierre, SD (in kind) Capitol Bancorporation Inc./Frank Farrar, Britton, SD Alvin Carl Schoeneman, Sioux Falls, SD Country Carpet and Flooring, Pierre, SD C. Ann Thompson, Sioux Falls, SD Dakota Classique Rock, Pierre, SD (in kind) Turnac Four, LLC, Fort Pierre, SD Dakota Prairie Bank, Fort Pierre, SD Jon B. Urbach, Pierre, SD Timothy Dougherty, Sioux Falls, SD Jeff and Linda Lea Viken, Rapid City, SD Judith Olson Duhamel, Rapid City, SD Duane and Deborah Bushfield Windemiller, Hampton, NH Joe H. Floyd, Harrisburg, SD Gov. Harvey and Anne Wollman, Frankfort, SD Kevin and Melissa Garry, Sioux Falls, SD Peter and Elisabeth Work, Washington, DC Steve and Alli Garry, Sioux Falls, SD WR Restaurants Management LLC (Red Rossa), Sioux Falls, SD The Hayzlett Group, Inc., Sioux Falls, SD $100+ Mike and Ellen Javernick, Loveland, CO Joshua and Katie Albers, New Underwood, SD James Jennings, Spearfish, SD Justin and Robin Albers, New Underwood, SD Dave and Jan Johnson, Reliabank Dakota, Estelline, SD Duane Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD Sen. Tim and Barbara Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD Larry O. Anderson and Marilyn Pruitt, Sioux Falls, SD Tom and Julie Kelley, Sioux Falls, SD Emily Assmus, Littleton, CO Charlie and Judy Kneip, Sioux Falls, SD Matthew Assmus, Los Angeles, CA David and Sara Kneip, Brookings, SD Anita Sarkees Bahr, Kennebunk, ME Greg and Pam Kneip, Sioux Falls, SD Quinton and Rebecca Bauer, Verona, MO Paul and Kellie Kneip, Sioux Falls, SD Craig A., Kurt R. and Kyle B. Beckman, Burnsville, MN Dave and De Knudson, Sioux Falls, SD Brad and Jean Blow, Pierre, SD Curtis and Janet Liedtke, Sturgis, SD Brule County Democrats, Chamberlain, SD Maher Law Office, LLP, Pierre, SD James Burg, Wessington Springs, SD Jeff and Lynn Marso, Sun Valley, CA Robert and Donna Burns, Brookings, SD Kevin and Deb Kneip McDermott, Nashville, TN Tadd Harlan Bushfield, Peoria, AZ Gary and Deb McKellips, Sioux Falls, SD Tara Liedtke Carlson, Sturgis, SD Roger and Wilma McKellips, Sioux Falls, SD Cade, Reagan and Coen Caldwell, Lakewood, CO Mark V. Meierhenry, Sioux Falls, SD

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

$100+ Continued Mark Nelson, Sioux Falls, SD Dick and Bev Casey, Sioux Falls, SD Thomas and Jean Nicholson, Sioux Falls, SD Terry and Sharon Casey, Chamberlain, SD Michael O’Connor, Sahuarita, AZ Herbert and Sydna Cheever, Minneapolis, MN Alice Odegard, Brookfield, WI Cooler’s Drive Thru (Fiverowe LLC), Pierre, SD Michael and Sara Ogdon, Littleton, CO Sen. Thomas Daschle, Washington, DC Timothy and Mei Oviatt, Watertown, SD Tai Liedtke Dornfeld, Sturgis, SD Scott and Maryanne Petersen, Sioux Falls, SD Pat Dougherty, Sioux Falls, SD Larry and Beth Picek, Huron, SD Jeff Endrizzi, Milbank, SD Denny Pierson, Sioux Falls, SD Booth and Rita Fellers, Sun Valley, CA South Dakota Army National Guard Leslie Forester, Saratoga Springs, NY Jan Rasmussen, Belvidere, SD Flora Foster, Hot Springs, SD Emil and Chloe Reutzel, Coronado, CA Ben Fry, Peoria, AZ Andrew Norris and Sally Sheridan, Santa Barbara, CA Julianne Fry, Peoria, AZ John E. “Matt” and Helen Sutton, Jr., Sioux Falls, SD Laurie Fulton, Alexandria, VA Ruth Sutton, Bonesteel, SD Grandpre Photography, Pierre, SD (in kind) Family of Bonnie Farrar Tomlin, Kansas City, MO Grant and Mary Gubbrud, Cedar Falls, IA Randall and Mary Turner, Pierre, SD Dale Gullickson, Sioux Falls, SD Alan and Deb Vedvei, Lake Preston, SD Gene Hammond, Travelers Motor Club, Brandon, SD Theodore and Kathleen Weiland, Madison, SD Haroldson Family, Sioux Falls, SD Toni Liedtke Wilson, Sturgis, SD Matt and Stephanie Judson, Pierre, SD Marcee Bushfield Kahan, Peoria, AZ $99- Kevin Kneip, West Bloomfield, MI Jerry Andrews, Sioux Falls, SD Michael W. Kneip Family, Goodyear, AZ Jane Andrich, Lake Zurich, IL Bob and Jane Kolbe, Sioux Falls, SD Scott and Laura Carbonneau, Pierre, SD Jerred and Lisa Koppmann, Rapid City, SD Margaret Logan, Banner, WY Jake and Phyllis Krull, Watertown, SD Judy and Jessica Page, Pierre, SD Jacqueline Garry Lampert, Columbus, OH Allyn O. Lockner Trust, Topeka, KS Jerry and Berniece Mayer, Sioux Falls, SD Dennis McFarland, Sioux Falls, SD Scott McGregor, Rapid City, SD

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Walter Dale Miller - 29th Governor of South Dakota Frank Farrar - 24th Governor of South Dakota

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors. 2014 Trail of Governors Annual Report

Trail of Governors Foundation – Board of Directors Patricia Mickelson Adam Leroy Foster Rick Jensen Patricia Miller Chuck Schroyer Tina Van Camp Patricia Van Gerpen

Trail of Governors Foundation – Advisory Members Brian Allen Brooke Bohnenkamp Marshall Damgaard Tom Farnsworth Tony Jockheck Bradley Johnson Jacquelyn Dice Johnson Stephanie Judson Paul Kinsman Mike Mueller Tony Venhuizen For more information on making a donation, contact the Trail’s Foundation Board by emailing [email protected] or calling (605) 454-0689; or calling the South Dakota Community Foundation at (605) 224-1025 or (800) 888-1842. Contributions may be sent to: Trail of Governors, 1714 N Lincoln, Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501. visit www.trailofgovernors.com Like us on Facebook! Most photography courtesy of Grandpre Photography. Harvey Wollman - 26th Governor of South Dakota Graphic design for this report provided courtesy of BPro Inc., Pierre, SD

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors.