April 8, 2025: Brainerd VFW Auxiliary officers were elected for the 2025 - 2026 year. President - Cheryl Hull Sr Vice President - Jan Lambert Jr Vice President - Michelle Tomiak Guard - Kim Hull Conductor - Dee Imgrund 3 Year Trustee - Paula Persons 1 year Trustee - Sandy Pelfrey Treasurer/Secretary - Dawn Garin These officers will officially take their positions after the State VFW Conention in June 2025.
(l-r) front row: Dee Imgrund, Sandy Pelfrey, Dawn Garin.
Back row: Kim Hull, Cheryl Hull, Jan Lambert, Paula Persons and Michelle Tomiak
Cheryl Hull
Richard Hull
Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President Cheryl Hull is a life member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. She was president of the auxiliary in the early 2000s, but then moved to Arizona in 2006. Her husband Richard was an Army Specialist 5th Class, interrogating prisoners in Vietnam 1969 - 70. In civilian life, he was a state trooper. Agent Orange took his life in 2022. Then it was back to Brainerd for Cheryl in 2023. They have three children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren, at last count.
Cheryl's story: I am happy to be the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary President again. I hope we have fun and accomplish a lot. In my spare time, I love to quilt pillows and bags for homeless veterans.
Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Sr. Vice President Jan Lambert. A member of the community since 1986. Jan and her late husband Mike had two daughters. Jackie is married with four children in Missouri. Daughter Samantha has been in the National Guard since 2004 and has four children. She served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (2008-09) and New Dawn (2011-12). Sam was promoted to staff sergeant in 2018 and is a combat medic.
Jan's Story: I am honored to be an officer in the VFW Post 1647 Auxiliary. You can contact me at 218-828-0165 or by cell at 218-821-3364. Jan Lambert: [email protected]
Karen Williams
Mike Wiliams
Brainerd VFW Auxiliary Jr. Vice President Karen Williams. Karen is a life member of Brainerd VFW Post 1647 Auxiliary. She joined in 2016 to support her husband Mike who served in the military for 22 years. Karen also does community outreach for the Auxiliary.
Karen's Story: I am proud to be a part of this organization.
Brenda Collins
Dewayne Collins
Chaplain - Brenda Collins Married to Brainerd VFW member Dewayne Collins, a sailor who served on a ship at Vietnam. Dewayne died on January 24, 2025 at the age of 75.
Dee Imgrund
Conductor - Dee Imgrund
Dee's grandfather was Jessie "Virgil" Kinder, serving in World War One.
Guard - Kristi Duus is a life member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. Her father, Leslie Lindberg was a Navy man and served in World War II. Kristi is proud to be of service at the VFW as one of the trustees.
Secretary/Treasurer - Dawn Garin. She qualified for membership because of her father Bob Marsh (1929 - 2023), a long-time life member of the Brainerd VFW. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army 1949-1950 and then was recalled to serve in the Korean conflict 1951 to 1952. Phone: 218.821.3361 [email protected]
Trustee - Dave Montour is a life member of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary. His father served in Korea and a brother in the Navy. Dave is proud to be of service at the VFW, which includes being one of the trustees.
Paula Persons
Mark Persons
Paula Persons is one of the Brainerd VFW Auxiliary trustees. She qualified for Auxiliary membership because of her husband Mark, who is the post Historian and Webmaster. Her father, Chester "Chet" Timman, served every day of WWII in the U.S. Navy. Paula worked as a professional secretary before her retirement in 2018. She is also known as Chef Paula at Gilbert Lodge.
Trustee - Rhonda Strand Rhonda's grandfather, Leslie Lindberg, served in the U.S. Navy in World War Two. He is remembered for loving to garden , his yard and keeping all things pretty neat.
Patriotic Instructor - Kim Jensen
Nick Krebsbach and Kim Jensen married on September 24, 2022. Nick served a Marine Combat Engineer in Afghanistan 2004-05 and 2006-07, then in Iraq 2007-08 with the Minnesota National Guard.
Sue Sterling - Past President
Sue has three sons who have all served in the military. They served active duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Her youngest son, Devon, is currently a member of the Post.