Board Members

Current Board Members & Program Managers

LINSIE HEMPLEMAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR and PROGRAM MANAGER, NEIGHBORS IN ACTION

Linsie serves as the Executive Director of La Crescent Area HCP & Neighbors in Action. She has lived in La Crescent since July of 2019. Linsie has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She is passionate about providing services to the elderly in our community to ensure health and safety. She enjoys the natural beauty the La Crescent area has to offer. In her free time, she stays busy with her two dogs exploring, hiking, and being on the river. Her other hobbies include biking, snowmobiling, CrossFit, yoga, and traveling. You can contact Linsie at Linsie@neighborsinaction.net.

BEN WHITE – FINANCIAL MANAGER

Ben joined HCP in January of 2023. He was raised in Winona and lives there with his fiance, Elyse, who is originally from La Crescent. He graduated in 2010 from Winona State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Management of Information Systems. He worked as a tax consultant for six years. Currently, Ben works as the treasurer for the American Society of Tax Professionals, and also works as a self-employed computer tech support technician as needed for area residents. He also works for the Winona Post delivering papers by car to Winona and surrounding communities. On Sunday mornings, he volunteers for St. Paul's Episcopal Church for their community breakfast. In his free time, he enjoys gaming, birding, reading, and hiking around local areas and anywhere beyond. You can contact Ben at ben.white@lacrescenthcp.org.

LISA DOCKEN – PRESIDENT

Lisa has lived in La Crescent for 36 years. While raising her family she was a board member for the La Crescent-Hokah School District and the Hiawatha Valley Education District. Now mostly retired, she enjoys substituting as a preschool teacher assistant for Community Education and serving as a volunteer driver for Neighbors in Action. She hikes with the Driftless Drifters and is grateful to the La Crescent Community Bike Shoppe for fixing up her well-used bike. She loves to read, appreciates the library's book club, and has served as a board memnber for both the La Crescent Public Library and Friends of the Library. Lisa can be reached at lisa.docken@lacrescenthcp.org.

MICHELLE ASHMORE– VICE PRESIDENT

Michelle Ashmore has lived in the La Crescent area with her husband, Tom for the past 35 years. She spent 45 years in Medical Imaging, x-ray and CT, retiring from Mayo in 2009. Years ago she was involved in the 4-H horse program with her two daughters. Currently she is a volunteer driver for Neighbors in Action and works open hours at the food shelf. She and her husband enjoy traveling. That means lots of pictures in a scrapbook.

MARILYN HUCKENPOEHLER – BOARD SECRETARY

Marilyn moved from La Crosse to La Crescent with her wife, Lynn, in 2020. She is proud of her new community's many amenities, including arts, the library, beautiful parks, trails, friendly neighbors, and the important community programs made possible by HCP. She works as the Director of Prevention Programs at The Parenting Place in La Crosse; is a member of the Houston County Master Gardeners; and enjoys daily dog walks, camping & hiking in state parks, and spending time with young-adult daughter, Katy, who lives in Salt Lake City.

BOB PITEL – BOARD TREASURER and PROGRAM MANAGER, APPLESEED COMMUNITY THEATRE

Bob Pitel and his wife Jackie have been La Crescent residents since 1980. They raised four children in La Crescent and now have six grandsons. Bob taught math, computer programming, and physics at La Crescent High School for 29 years before retiring. He is currently teaching math at Globe University. Bob was one of the founding members of Appleseed Community Theatre in 2002 and is currently ACT’s president. He joined the HCP board when Appleseed became a program of HCP and is currently serving as treasurer for HCP. Bob can be contacted at bobpitel@gmail.com.

DIANE PALM – BOARD MEMBER and PROGRAM MANAGER, LA CRESCENT COMMUNITY GARDEN

Diane and her husband Dave moved to La Crescent in 2017 from rural Winona. She is a retired Nurse Practitioner and has worked with both Gundersen and Mayo Health Systems. She was the director of Student Health services at Winona State University and very involved with Healthy Campus initiatives during those years. Since moving to La Crescent she has enjoyed volunteering with the Community Garden and the La Crescent Food shelf. Her hobbies include golfing, gardening, hiking and biking. Contact Diane at: diane.palm@lacrescenthcp.org.

LINDA LARSON – BOARD MEMBER and PROGRAM MANAGER, LA CRESCENT COMMUNITY BIKE SHOPPE

Linda has been a resident of La Crescent for 40 years. She came to Healthy Community Partnership in 2007 as a representative for Gundersen Health System. She is now enjoying retirement. Linda is currently the program manager for the La Crescent Community Bike Shoppe. She is passionate about helping La Crescent be a safe, active community with opportunities for everyone to live a healthy life. Linda enjoys the beauty of our area by walking and biking in our neighborhoods, hiking in the bluffs and gardening in her own backyard. You can email Linda at linda.larson@lacrescenthcp.org.

SHELLEY ELLINGSON – PROGRAM MANAGER, TOUCHING MOMENTS and WINDY RIDGE RANCH THERAPEUTIC CENTER

Shelley Ellingson lives in rural Hokah with her husband, cats and horses. Her hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, horseback riding, and traveling with her family. She enjoys living in the La Crescent area and has served the community through her church and youth organizations, including Girl Scouts and 4-H. As an HCP Board member, she has learned more about the wonderful services the La Crescent area has to offer and with her dedicated volunteers, she has made the Touching Moments Animal Assisted Activities and Windy Ridge Ranch programs very successful. You can contact Shelley by email at windyrr@goacentek.net.

SUSAN ODDSEN – PROGRAM MANAGER, LA CRESCENT FOOD SHELF

Susan moved to La Crescent with her husband Logan Colby and their two children in 2009, for his teaching position at the La Crescent Middle School. She joined the Healthy Community Partnership board in 2012, because she shares the vision of creating a healthy, thriving community in La Crescent. Her passion is growing and eating healthy foods, so she stepped up to help grow the Community Garden, and the La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School Garden. Having volunteered at the La Crescent Food Shelf for several years, she recently answered the call to help grow this program as it comes under HCP’s umbrella. Her other interests include hiking and camping, travel, music, theatre, and following her children’s activities. Contact Susan at: susan.oddsen@lacrescenthcp.org.

MASERAY BANGURA - PROGRAM MANAGER, LA CRESCENT GARDEN TOUR

Maseray has lived in La Crescent for over 14 years and is an active member of the community. Along with raising three children, Maseray is also a speech language pathologist for the La Crescent School district and Mayo. She also volunteers on the Bike/Ped committee, the Parks and Rec Committee, and is a member of the community garden. In her spare time, Maseray enjoys being outdoors, exercising, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Maseray joined HCP in 2023 as the lead organizer of the La Crescent Parade of Gardens and hopes this annual event brings community members together and educates them on the joys of gardening.

CARLY ZADOW - PROGRAM MANAGER, NEIGHBORS DAY

Carly and her husband, Ben, both grew up and graduated high school in La Crescent. In 2021, after 8.5 years of working at Quillins', she decided to pursue a job at Neighbors in Action as the Billing Specialist. It was through Neighbors in Action's Program Manager, Linsie, that she was introduced to Betsy, the previous Program Manager of Neighbors Day, who was looking for someone to take over her role. After joining the committee as the Program-Manager-in-Training for Neighbors Day 2023, she decided to officially take on the role. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, canning, embroidery, and volunteering through her church. You can contact Carly at carly.zadow@lacrescenthcp.org.

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