As the first month of 2026 came to a close, it feels like six months have gone by with the roller coaster of events for me personally. I have experienced extreme joy and deep sorrow. With the drastic emotional ranges, Rotary has been and continues to be a constant and anchor for me. Rotary’s vision is “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and ourselves,” and I feel this vision in my daily life and especially in life altering events from the birth of my first child to the death of a family member.
On January 17th, I was spending time relaxing with my old college roommates at my house, while my wife, Pa, was resting at our house from a rough week of pregnancy scares and time in the hospital. Well, it turns out that our little man, August, decided that it was time to enter this world 8 ½ weeks early. It was by far the most frightening and joyful day of my life. I fulfilled the dream of becoming a dad, and I cannot wait to see a little one running around and getting into trouble. We were not prepared for him to come this early and did not have our baby shower yet. This turned out to be no issue due to the outpouring of love and support from my family, friends and Rotarians. They kept us fed, provided baby supplies, watched our dog, took care of household chores and many more. None of these tasks were asked by us. It was good people coming together to care for others. The overwhelming joy and relief cannot be overstated, and it brought me to tears thinking about the community that Pa and I have around us. I feel blessed to be apart of an organization that steps up to care for their members in times of need.
The birth of our son was not the only time of need, and 10 days later, my grandma Nona passed away. I was left heartbroken because she was the only grandparent in my life. She retired early at my twin brother’s and I’s birth to help care for us. She was a steady, loving person, always caring for her family and never turning down an opportunity to watch her grandchildren. We often spent most of our summers just being with our grandma. She was the best baker and spoiled us with the best scotcheroos. Not only was she a rock for our family, she was also a pillar for women in the local community, being a founding member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in the La Crosse community. She even earned “Woman of the Year” in 1983. Even though my grandma was not a Rotarian, she embodied the essence of a Rotarian. She selflessly gave her talents, energy, and resources to the people in her life and local community. She created lasting change in my life and the local community.
The two emotional events provide a full circle of life, and they demonstrate the spirit of Rotary in our everyday life and pivotal moments. Rotarians unite and take action just like with the birth of my son. They create enduring change just how my grandma formed ABWA chapter in La Crosse and shaped me into the man I am today. Rotarians are special people that deserve praise and appreciation. The positivity and change that you all create extends farther than our lifetimes. Thank you to all those who helped me. Your kindness is much appreciated and does not go unnoticed.
One person’s legacy that will continue long after he is gone is Pat Stephens. He passed on February 3rd. He was and will remain an integral part of the community. He formed Rotary Lights, established the Freedom Honor Flight, and uplifted La Crosse Irishfest. He was cherished by many and will be missed dearly. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Your Fellow RAHtarian,
Neil Wieser
President, Rotary After Hours Club
2025–2026
2025–2026