2023 MHS Graduates Honor Their Moms on Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day! Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on graduation. This year, both special events fell on the same day, Sunday, May 14, in Milbank. Of course, sharing is nothing new to your mother. She has been doing it forever or at least as far back as you can remember.

She shared your good times and your not-so-good. The day you took your first step, and the day you fell down and skinned your knee. The day you got your driver’s license, and the day you got in a fender bender. Every year brought a dozen more rites of passage and Mom was there to guide you.

Today, we also applaud her for watching you receive your diploma. It’s time for you to leave the nest and time for her to share you with the world. It won’t be easy.  But the day you were born, your mom experienced the miracle of life. She also learned the miracle of sharing – the more you share the more you have.

You learned important things, too, and will learn a million more. But regardless of how far away you go, your mother’s voice – even if you just keep it in your heart – will always bring you home. 

We asked some of the mothers of the 2023 graduates this question:
Your son/daughter is graduating and most likely leaving home. 
What 1-3 things will always remind you of them?

We also asked the graduates this question about their mom:
What is the most important thing your mother taught you that you will remember and use the rest of your life? Here’s what they said: 

DAWN HOEKE AND HER SON JUSTUS OSBORN (photo at the top)
Dawn answered:
So many things will remind me of Justus☺,  but the top contenders are:  
Baseball Glove – it will remind me of the many hours we have spent playing catch in the backyard ( like just last weekend).
The song “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. (It’s  been my ringtone for Justus for over seven years❤️.)
Hot and spicy food. The hotter and spicier the better as far as Justus is concerned!
Justus said – The most important thing my mom has taught me is the Golden Rule –treat others how you want to be treated.  It has stuck with me since I was young and I don’t think I will ever forget it.

RENEE SHELSTAD AND HER SON JACOB SHELSTAD
Renee replied:
Jacob’s infectious laugh and the smile that’s always on his face.  
Music – Jacob singing in the car, in the shower, and his sleep.  
Milbank drumline.
Jacob answered: The most important thing my mom has taught me is to always be humble and patient with others.

KIMBERLY LIGHTFIELD AND HER SON MAX LIGHTFIELD
Kimberly answered: 
Oreo cookie salad.
Piano playing. 
The Prius.
Max said: My mother has taught me to never give up.

PAM LIEBE AND HER SON IAN LIEBE
Pam answered:
Pizza.
Marvel movies.
Piano music.
Ian said: The most important thing Mom taught me is to be willing to speak my mind and to make sure I did what I needed to do to achieve what it was I felt I needed.

CHELY WELLNITZ AND HER DAUGHTER CASSIDE SEEZS
Chely replied: 
Rodeo. 
Travel. 
Going shopping.
Casside said: My mother has taught me that nothing in life will be handed to you. You will have to work hard each and everyday to accomplish the goals that you set for yourself.

GINNY TOSTENSON AND HER DAUGHTER HALLIE SCHULTE 
Ginny answered:  
Her hugs! Hallie is my girl that gives me a hug every morning before going to school and every night before bed. I will miss this the most! 😭😭 

Her nickname, Hallie Bug, that she acquired as a baby. She had bug toys that hung on the handle of her infant car seat. Her nickname was Bug-a-boo, then Bug or Hallie Bug, and it has stuck with her to this day.  Her daycare provider called her Hallie Bug because she had two Hallies and they both had the middle name Lee. 

Fake teeth. She got her front teeth knocked out when she was in kindergarten. She was getting pulled on a scooter, when the wheels got stuck in a crack in the sidewalk, and the scooter came up and smacked her in the teeth. Dr Johnson had to fix them in an emergency situation.

The bald spot on the top of her head! She was swimming at Unity with her stepbrothers, Evan and Jackson. Jackson pushed Evan in just as Hallie was getting out. Evan’s teeth dug into Hallie’s head. She probably should have gotten stitches, but didn’t, and forever has a small bald spot in the part of her hair.
Hallie replied: My mom has told me, “People will come and go in your life, but your mother will always love you.”

JODI DOUCETTE AND HER SON ZACH RINGSAKER
Jodi answered: 
Tacos. 
Anything yellow. 
Piano and Christian music.
Zach replied:  How to be respectful, caring, and kind to all people.

JANINE FONDER AND HER DAUGHTER  MARIANNA FONDER
Janine replied: 
Inspirational t-shirts.  Marianna loves to wear them. 
Cups of half-finished drinks. 
Her beautiful voice as she sings random choir songs or one of her favorites when she thinks no one is listening😉
Marianna said: The most important thing my mom has taught me that I will remember for the rest of my life is to never give up, no matter how hard things get.

DARNELL FRERICHS AND HER DAUGHTER MADISEN FRERICHS 
Darnell answered:
I know there will be so many things once she leaves, but these come to mind right now – Subway cookies, Garden Salsa Sun Chips, Potato Oles, and french fries. Madisen always offers to share with me when she brings them home (from work) because I love them, too. 
Music by Queen. We went through a phase when that was all we played and sang. Even though it doesn’t happen anymore, I automatically think of Madisen when I hear the songs. 
Purple hair dye stains in the basement bathroom. 
Fun socks. She loves fun socks, and when I see them in stores I think of her.
Her quick wit, silly banter, and infectious laugh – I love to hear it and can’t help joining in.
Late night chats after Madisen gets home from work when she’s in a chatty mood.
Teasing her about if Subway has their sugar cookies back yet and if she brought me one.
Madisen said:  The most important thing my mom has taught me is to stick up for myself even if it’s difficult. She is one of my biggest role models!

SHERRI SCHNECK AND HER SON BARRETT SCHNECK
Sherri answered: 
Wrestling will always remind me of Barrett.  It was one of his favorite sports, and he started  when he was four. 
Although he wasn’t the best at a young age, he never gave up. He became quite the wrestler in middle and high school, and placed eighth at State as a sophomore,  fourth as a junior, and third his senior year. 
Barrett always watched high school and college wrestling with his dad to learn new moves. The funkier they were, the more he liked them. 
Barrett’s example of how hard work and determination pays off. 
Barrett said: The most important thing  my mom has taught me and I will use for the rest of my life is to be persistent and work hard for what you want to have in your life – like going to college for many years and being able to stick with it while also trying your hardest.

JODI STREET AND HER DAUGHTER MAURINA STREET
Jodi answered: 
Maurina’s cat, Kallie
Baking 
Harry Potter.
Maurina replied: The most important thing my mom has taught me is how to work hard in everything that I do.

AMANDA ENGEBRETSON AND HER DAUGHTER AVERIE ENGEBRETSON
Amanda answered:  
Iced coffee.
Hot sauce.
Any song by Rhianna.  🙂
Averie replied:  My mom has taught me that as long as you are the hardest worker in the gym or classroom, things will pay off for you in the end.

HILARY DEXTER AND HER DAUGHTER JENNA DEXTER
Hilary replied: 
Jenna sitting next to me and randomly singing whatever song she has in her head. 
Hash browns. She’s a huge lover of hash browns with cheese, smothered all over them. 
Jenna is a very kind and loving person. She would do anything for someone she loves or cares about.
Jenna answered: The most important thing my mom has taught me is to be kind to everyone, no matter what. She has also taught me to be proud of all my accomplishments even if they are just little ones!

ANNE LESTER AND HER SON SAMMY FEMLING
Anne replied: 
Parmesan Garlic Wings.
Crazy socks.
Inventions.
Sammy answered: My mom has taught me the importance of kindness and generosity.

CINDY PILLATZKI AND HER SON NATHAN PILLTZKI 
Cindy replied: 
Altar servers.  Nathan has served at appropriately 425 masses since fourth  grade. 
Jokes and laughing. 
Mountain Dew.
Nathan said : My mom has taught me not to complain – someone out there has it worse than you.

ANDREA WIESE AND HER DAUGHTER CAMRYN WIESE
Andrea answered:
The TV show The Office – she watches it on repeat! 
Hash browns because she will eat them for breakfast, lunch, and supper! 
Her bed because she LOVES to sleep!
Camryn said:  My mom has taught me how to put on a brave face, and she has given me the encouragement to become the person I am today.

HILARY SCHWAGEL AND HER DAUGHTER CASSIDY SCHWAGEL
Hilary answered : 
Big loud trucks.  Cassidy loves big trucks – the louder the better.
Dairy cows – Has to be Brown Swiss. 
Horses. She loves to show her horse, Bellah.
Cassidy replied:  It’s hard to pick just one thing because my mom has taught me so much. Two of the biggest things she has taught me are courage and persistence. My mom has always been the type of person to never give up even when times get hard. When we lost my brother, Tanner, everyone in my family was so lost and we still question why. Even though my mom had to deal with losing her son, she never gave up. She had the courage and persistence to keep going and live for Tanner. She showed me that I could do the same. She was always there for us if we needed to talk or just get our minds off the tough things in life. Seeing my mom make it through the rough times these past couple years has been the saving grace in my life. She has shown me that I am capable of overcoming the obstacles I will face over the years. I will forever be grateful for her courage and the many other things she has taught me.

LISA FORRETTE AND HER DAUGHTER LANEY FORRETTE
Lisa answered: 
When I see a cat, it reminds me of Laney. She loves cats and wants more. 
Whenever I see ramen noodles in the store. That’s her favorite. 
An ad for the show “Grey’s Anatomy.”  Laney has watched every episode 13 times.
Laney replied: One thing my mom has told me that I will use for the rest of my life is to associate with people who make you the happiest. Having good friends is a great factor in your success.