FVL Friends Dinner 2025
The FVL Friends Dinner is an annual event which celebrates the partnership of the FVL family.
Friends of Fox Valley Lutheran High School gathered together at the Timber Rattlers Stadium on the evening of October 8 to receive an update on the school and its mission and to partake in food, activities, and awards. Those in attendance enjoyed an opportunity for fun and a celebration of the ministry of FVL.
Attendees were introduced to our new faculty members. See pages 4-7 for information on these new teachers. One highlight of the evening was a bingo-style game, in which participants attempted to identify real statistics of the school in order to mark boxes off of their bingo cards.
A special presentation of the evening featured the announcement from President Loberger that the school was able to pay off Bond “B” of the Let the Children Come mortgage three years early. The early payoff saves the school and its supporters about $80,000 in interest payments, and allows more flexibility with the future of that mortgage. That flexibility will be important, because rising enrollment trends suggest that the FVL campus will need a classroom expansion within the next few years to accommodate growth, or the school will be forced to turn away potential students. Guests at Friends Dinner were among the first to see floor plans and renderings of this proposed expansion.
Called Worker Heart of a Servant
The
Called Worker Heart of a Servant was awarded this year to Pastor Kenneth Frey, who began his public ministry in 1985. He accepted a call to serve at St. Paul in Appleton in 1995, where he served for 29½ years. He retired from full-time ministry on December 31 of 2024. He and his wife have three children, all of whom graduated from FVL. Over his years in Appleton, Pastor Frey strongly supported FVL in many ways, including encouraging his congregation members to support FVL and send their students there. He also helped to begin the Saints youth football program at FVL and served on compensation review committees.
Leader of the Past
The
Leader of the Past
was awarded to the late Gerhard and Ruth Kaniess. Their award was accepted by their son, Jim. Gerry married Ruth in 1953. The couple were blessed with two sons, James and Dan. Gerry was a member of the original faculty of FVL beginning in 1953, where he taught and coached for 37 years. Additionally, he served as an administrator and wise counsel in many important decisions for the school. His dedicated, Christian heart and wonderful sense of humor, along with his amazing command of history, his wisdom, and experience were greatly appreciated by many—not only here at FVL, but throughout the Federation. While Ruth had no direct role at FVL, her support of Gerry, as well as her active participation at their home congregation of St. Matthew in Appleton (serving in the Dorcas and Ladies Aid societies and choir for more than 50 years) was well known to all. Gerry and Ruth both joined their son Dan in heaven with Jesus in 2020.
Leader of Today
Dave and Mari Lepke were recognized as the
Leader of Today. Dave was assigned into ministry at Emanuel Lutheran School in New London, where he taught for 44 years. Mari was a stay-at-home mother until 1992, when Dave and Mari bought a used bus. With four-year-old daughter, Abbie, in tow, she drove students to FVL from New London, Waupaca, Weyauwega, Ogdensburg, Fremont, Shiocton, Sugar Bush, Clintonville, Hortonville, Greenville, and other areas. This connection to FVL led to her being asked to serve at FVL as a study hall supervisor, and later adding the role of Athletic Administrative Assistant. Bus driving continued in the mornings and evenings, along with field trips, sports outings, and many phy ed class trips. Mari worked at FVL for 24 years, and she and Dave have developed many relationships with FVL students, families, and staff—even driving bus for many FVL graduates’ weddings.
Thank you for joining us!
