2025 Fall Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner
Two honorees were recognized at the 2025 Fall Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Congratulations to Dick Armbruster (left) & Ryan Hanson (right)!
Dick Armbruster
I was born, grew up and raised a family in the rural Ellsworth, WI area. When we were kids, we go to come up to Wapo & Bear Trap a few times in the summer. When our kids were old enough, we brought them up here also to fish and enjoy the lake. After I retired from 3M, we bought a cabin here in 2004 that suited our needs. That first summer we were here and a guy driving a lawn mower tractor painted Viking colors pulled into our "Green Bay" yard. His name was Wally Erickson and he asked if I would take his trustee job. I said sure. That job lasted 20 years. Being a trustee game me respect for the fragility of our lake and the community around it. I've been involved in several associations and I would have to say that this one is run much better than the others I have been in. The Lake Association always seems to have just enough competent individuals step up when the need arises. I have truly enjoyed my time here and hope to continue that in the future.
I was born, grew up and raised a family in the rural Ellsworth, WI area. When we were kids, we go to come up to Wapo & Bear Trap a few times in the summer. When our kids were old enough, we brought them up here also to fish and enjoy the lake. After I retired from 3M, we bought a cabin here in 2004 that suited our needs. That first summer we were here and a guy driving a lawn mower tractor painted Viking colors pulled into our "Green Bay" yard. His name was Wally Erickson and he asked if I would take his trustee job. I said sure. That job lasted 20 years. Being a trustee game me respect for the fragility of our lake and the community around it. I've been involved in several associations and I would have to say that this one is run much better than the others I have been in. The Lake Association always seems to have just enough competent individuals step up when the need arises. I have truly enjoyed my time here and hope to continue that in the future.
Ryan Hanson
After graduating from high school in Tomah, WI, I attended UW-Stout to major in Construction. It was there that I met my wife, Kristin Mortensen, who grew up on Lake Wapogasset. My first visit to the lake was in 2004, shortly after Kristin and I started dating, and I quickly understood why she loved it here. In 2009, my mother-in-law and I started Lake Life Realty. At first, I worked mostly behind the scenes while holding a full-time job in the Twin Cities. In 2011, I left that job and launched Lake Life Property Management, focusing mainly on the Wapogasset & Bear Trap area, while also taking on a more active role as a real estate agent. I joined the Lake Association in 2016 - even though I didn't yet live on the lake - and was soon recruited by Lee Rickard to help with the lake monitoring program. Kristin and I purchased a vacant lot on Bear Trap in 2017 and built our family home there. The following year, I took over the trustee role for our neighborhood from Bob Whitman. Other Lake Association duties I've taken on include serving as the website and Facebook administrator since 2016, participating in the communications committee and assisting with the lake directory entries. Recently, I was honored to be elected as the association's 1st Vice President. Outside of the Lake Association, I'm an active member of the Amery Lion's Club and my family completes highway clean-up twice a year along County Road C. Kristin and I also help manage the marina on the lake. Wapogasset & Bear Trap have become such an important part of my life, and I feel very fortunate that Kristin and I get to raise our family in such a special place.
After graduating from high school in Tomah, WI, I attended UW-Stout to major in Construction. It was there that I met my wife, Kristin Mortensen, who grew up on Lake Wapogasset. My first visit to the lake was in 2004, shortly after Kristin and I started dating, and I quickly understood why she loved it here. In 2009, my mother-in-law and I started Lake Life Realty. At first, I worked mostly behind the scenes while holding a full-time job in the Twin Cities. In 2011, I left that job and launched Lake Life Property Management, focusing mainly on the Wapogasset & Bear Trap area, while also taking on a more active role as a real estate agent. I joined the Lake Association in 2016 - even though I didn't yet live on the lake - and was soon recruited by Lee Rickard to help with the lake monitoring program. Kristin and I purchased a vacant lot on Bear Trap in 2017 and built our family home there. The following year, I took over the trustee role for our neighborhood from Bob Whitman. Other Lake Association duties I've taken on include serving as the website and Facebook administrator since 2016, participating in the communications committee and assisting with the lake directory entries. Recently, I was honored to be elected as the association's 1st Vice President. Outside of the Lake Association, I'm an active member of the Amery Lion's Club and my family completes highway clean-up twice a year along County Road C. Kristin and I also help manage the marina on the lake. Wapogasset & Bear Trap have become such an important part of my life, and I feel very fortunate that Kristin and I get to raise our family in such a special place.