Appelgren Activities Center Dedicated
Faith Home
It was a time to celebrate at Faith Lutheran Home on Tuesday, Oct. 22, as a dedication was conducted for the Bob and Jeanne Appelgren Activities Center. Endowments from the Appelgren family and Western Bank Legacy made the approximate $100,000 project possible.
Duane Kurokawa, Western Bank of Wolf Point Legacy Endowment Fund board member, noted that facility improvements included upgraded cabinetry, sinks and appliances in the kitchen and beauty shop, new flooring, new paint, new doors and windows and installing an improved HVAC system.
“They did a wonderful job of cleaning things up,” Kurokawa said during the dedication. “I think everybody appreciates it who comes in here.”
The Western Bank Legacy Fund was established in 1998 and currently has $634,000. Grants are distribution from the fund for economic development, education, medical needs, historical preservation and community beautification. Recipients have included the Wolf Point Area Museum, Northeast Montana Health Services, Bigger Sky Kids, Wolf Point Schools, City of Wolf Point and the Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
The current donor advisory committee consists of R.J. Doornek, Duane Kurokawa, Jerald Petersen, Brian Berreth, Cathy Wanderaas and Aaron Kurokawa.
The $85,020 for the completion of the Bob and Jeanne Appelgren Activity Room is the largest single donation ever made by the Western Bank Legacy Fund.
Both Duane Kurokawa and Doornek remember both being hired by Bob Appelgren at Western Bank. Kurokawa went on to have a banking career of 42 years.
“The Appelgrens have been very good to me,” Kurokawa said.
Doornek, who now lives in Missoula, had a banking career of 45 years. He said Bob Appelgren was the most generous person that he has encountered.
“He believed in giving back to the goose who laid the golden egg,” Doornek said.
After working for First State Bank of Wolf Point, Bob Appelgren purchased half of his father’s bank stock in the early 1960s of the renamed Western Bank. He was president of the bank until 1970 when he retired and accepted the role of chairman of the board. The family relocated to Whitefish that year as he had ownership interest in the First State Bank of Whitefish and the Flathead Bank of Bigfork. He was involved in many community development projects including serving as a director of Trinity Hospital Association, now Northeast Montana Health Services.
Jeanne Appelgren was described as a wonderful wife, mother and cook. She enjoyed providing scrumptious holiday feasts.
Son Brent Appelgren, who resides in Whitefish, made the trip to take part in the special dedication.
“I just wanted to be here,” Brent told the gathering. “I feel very honored with what my friends have done. It’s a really nice facility.”
Brent explained how proud he is of his parents. “My father was probably the most generous man I’ve met,” he said.
He described his mother as a very gracious person. “I think they both improved a great many lives in this world.”
Brent is pleased that his parents will be remembered in Wolf Point. “It’s just a good feeling. They did love this community,” he said.
Doornek and Kurokawa thank Faith Home staff members for their dedication at the facility.
“It’s as good of care that you can receive,” Kurokawa said.
