Friends, business community rally for Pat Miltenberger
By MIKE DONAHEY, TIMES-REPUBLICANArticle Photos
For more than 20 years, Pat Miltenberger of Marshalltown worked with the Marshall County ISU Extension 4-H program, which provided skill development opportunities to area youth. As a result, she earned induction into Iowa's 4-H Hall of Fame last summer.
However, in September, Miltenberger was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer.
She has been undergoing chemotherapy in an effort to stem the disease's progress.
Now, a number of friends and businesses are pitching-in to help her and family with the significant medical expenses incurred with the same passion she displayed in 4-H work.
"Straight from Our Hearts" is the fitting theme of the "family-styled" Valentine's Day party for Miltenberger Sunday, Feb. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 1516 E. Olive St. in Marshalltown.
Deleana Roseland, a family friend, is spear-heading the effort. Joining are Roseland's daughter, Lori, area residents Mary Blom, Brenda Carnahan and Maddie Welton.
Food, music, a raffle, silent auction and dessert walk are planned. All proceeds will assist the family with Pat's medical expenses.
Denny Grabenbauer, "The Voice of Marshalltown" will serve as event master-of-ceremonies.
"The Marshall County Pork Producers are providing a pork burger meal (free-will donation) Roseland said.
Press On, a Marshalltown-based quartet and "a State Fair favorite and a favorite of a lot of people around here" according to Roseland, will perform for "the first hour and one-half or so." Pat's husband, Mike Miltenberger, and owner of Mike's Bikes and Fitness, is a member of the quartet.
Doug West of the Auction Corner will do the live auction from approximately 6 to 7 p.m.
Area businesses "are being very generous" Roseland said, providing items for the live auction, silent auction, or raffle.
"We are in the process of sorting things out and determining what will go where," Roseland said.
Her efforts and those of her team, plus, numerous e-mail messages and publicity in the Chamber of Commerce Digest have given them plenty to sort out.
"We have a huge variety, from hotels, lots of dining certificates and a portrait of a barn near Gilman done in sepia," Roseland said. "It is in a 16x 20 frame."
Roseland said other special items are a one-night stay at the Tremont-on-Main with dinner and gift baskets made up by FBC church groups (the Miltenberger's church) and a home-school association.
Doug West of the Auction Corner will provide services for the live auction.
An added feature will be a dessert walk,
"It will be like a cake walk, with a variety of desserts to chose from, which will be $1 per ticket or try."
Pat's 4-H work at the Central Iowa Fair included managing quilt auctions.
Appropriately, the event will feature quilts.
"An 'encouragement quilt,' with quilt blocs already cut up and ready is part of the fund-raising.
"It will be $5 for the big block and $2 for the small block. Donors will be able to sign a note of encouragement or write their name and Lori, 15, will finish it for Pat as a memory of the event. Also Annie and Matthew Battles, Katie Bjelland and Lori have made another quilt with with the help of Dorothy Sleege.
"There is something for everybody," Roseland said.
Contact Roseland at 641-751-4031 or the Miltenberger Cancer Benefit at Mike's Bike & Fitness, 117 W. Main St.
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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com
