March 2026

David Dechant

Brother Dave is a past Grand Knight of Tomah Council 4125 . Dave is also a member of the Fourth Degree Knights. President of the Knights of Columbus Corporation for the Tomah Council. Brother Dave has dedicated his time and effort to ensure that the KC Hall and KC assets stay in good order. Brother Dave spearheaded the replacement of the roof on the KC building. Brother Dave also heads up the food trailer at the Warrens Cran-fest and has been running this event for many years, making sure the food and drinks are ordered, picked up and placed correctly, duty roster developed and published, and monies collected and deposited. Dave is active in running the Free Throw Contest, Knowledge Contest and Tootsie Roll campaign. Recently Brother Dave created, organized , and managed a KC Calendar Raffle which has brought big money to the Queen of Apostles Elementary School for its’ expansion program. Brother Dave has been a strong link between the Queen of the Apostles Church as usher, Eucharistic Minister and substitute reader. He and his wife Sara are active in all phases of Queen of Apostles life.

February 2026

Tom Baumgarten

Brother Tom has held many positions within the Knights of Columbus: Worthy Grand Knight, Trustee, and State Raffle Program Manager. Brother Tom is the former Worthy Scribe for the 4th Degree Fr. Francis Heindl Assembly 1902. Tom is always willing to lend a helping hand and volunteers willingly for any event. He helps with the Highway 16 clean up, the Cranfest Food Booth, , and other church dinners. Brother Tom is very active within the Queen of the Apostles Parish. He is a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, sings in the Choir, and leads the Rosary. Brother Tom is very active within his local community. Congratulations Brother Tom and thank you for all the great work you do for Council # 4125.

January 2026

Lamont Dechant

Brother Lamont graduated from Tomah High School, WTC Tech School, and Army Mechanical School.
Lamont served in the Army for 13 years and was on active duty for 1.5 years. Lamont has been married to wife, Frances, for 58 years and they have five children, 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Lamont worked construction after high school, then ten years for the U.S. Government and spent over 50 years farming. Lamont has been a Knights of Columbus member for over 50 years and has held the office of Deputy Grand Knight. He is a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, past member of the Parish Council, and member of the Cemetery Board. Lamont has worked at the cemetery for 18 years, helped with the Tootsie Roll Drive, and works at the Cranfest. Brother Lamont has been a member of Catholic Order of Foresters for over 60 years and served on the Board. He is a member of American Legion Post 201 and Past Commander. Lamont is on the Legion firing squad for military funerals. He was on the Town of Adrian Board for 12 years
and a member of the I Dividers Snowmobile Club. Congratulations, Brother Lamont, and thank you for all the great work you do for the Knights of Columbus, our Church, and our community.

December 2025

Richard Honish

Brother Richard was born into a large family of 10 children right here in Tomah. He graduated from Tomah High School and has been married to Kelly, described in his words as "the most amazing woman ever" for 30 plus years. The Honish's have five children and five grandchildren, with another one on the way. Brother Richard has been employed in Maintenance Operations for Ocean Spray for the past 30 years. Brother Richard has been a Knights of Columbus member for 37 years and an active parishioner of Queen of the Apostles Parish. He is a Eucharistic minister and usher. Richard assists with the cleaning of the church on a yearly rotation and assists with decorating. Brother Richard is a Focus facilitator and Pre-Cana instructor. He participates in leading the rosary for special occasions as well as filling in on weekends and is a willing volunteer for the tootsie roll drive, roadside clean-up, and bingo and spaghetti suppers. Thank you, Brother Richard, for all you do for the Knights of Columbus and our parish.

December 2025

Larry Dechant

Brother Larry has been a member of Council 4125 for 69 years and has held many different offices within the Knights. He was one of the first Grand Knights of Council 4125. He volunteers many hours supporting Knights of Columbus events. Brother Larry helped with refurbishing Saint Michael's Catholic Cemetery on County Highway A, the Tootsie Roll Drive, K.C. bingo and spaghetti suppers, pulling a shift at the K.C. food trailer at the Warrens Cranfest, stuffing KC newsletters into envelopes, picking up trash along Highway 12 as part of the KC's Adopt-a-Highway program, assisting at Second and Third Degree ceremonies, working the kitchen at our recent Drive-Thru Chicken Q, assembling a playground swing and slide set for a family with Foster Children, and leading the Rosary at St. Mary's Church. The Dechant family has been active members of our parish and the Knights of Columbus. In all these endeavors, we find Lady Shirley Dechant taking a vital and active part. Thank you, Brother Larry Dechant, for everything you do for the Knights of Columbus, the Queen of the Apostles Parish, and the Tomah community.

November 2025

Dick Baumgarten

Brother Dick has been a Knight for almost 58 years! He has also been the Council’s Treasurer 52 years, keeping track of the books, paying the bills, funding the donations by our Council, and making sure everything is “on the up and up” to keep us out of trouble. He says he liked being the Treasurer because he figures that way, no one will ask him to volunteer for anything else... We do greatly appreciate all the time, effort, and care you dedicate to the Council and the community. Thank you, Brother Dick for everything you have done and continue to do for the community and the Knights.

September 2025

John Timm

Brother John is an active member of Queen of the Apostles Parish and is very active within Council 4125. He compiles and produces the monthly Council newsletter, the Knight Light, keeping all members fully informed of past and future goings on in the Council. John is the originator and creator of our award-winning Council History Book and diligently records all our council activities for preservation. Brother John is also an active member of the 4th Degree Assembly 1902 and frequently assists with Council events such as Bingo and Spaghetti Dinners, Tootsie Roll Drive, Adopt-a-Highway, and Cranfest Food Booth. John has also regularly volunteered to serve veterans and the VA. As an avid and skilled woodworker, he made a beautiful display for the hall to commemorate our deceased brother Knights. Thank you, Brother John, for all you do for the Knights of Columbus, Queen of the Apostles Parish, and our community.

August 2025

Dennis Koranda

Brother Dennis is currently the Worthy Recorder for Council 4125, past District 23 Deputy, and past Grand Knight. A member of the Fourth Degree, Sir Knight Dennis has served as Faithful Captain, Faithful Comptroller, Faithful Navigator, and on the Honor Guard. Brother Denny is very active in many council activities and gets involved in whatever he is able. This includes Cranfest, the Tootsie Roll Drive, Knowledge Contest, Free Throw Contest, and Bingo. At Queen of Apostles Parish, he serves as the KC representative to the Parish Council and is a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Brother Dennis has been a member of the Lions Club for over 48 years, holding many club offices including three terms as president, as well as many district and state positions such as District Governor and the President of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. Brother Dennis represented the local and State Councils at the 140th Supreme convention in Nashville, TN, where he and his wife, Lady Jan, had a wonderful experience.

July 2025

Doug Semrau

Doug has been a Knight for many, many years and is very active. Most notably, he is the bingo chairman and manages the popular first Saturday bingo at the KC hall every month. This provides a regular source of funds for the council that can then be put towards worthy and charitable causes. Doug is also an active member of Queen of the Apostles Parish and volunteers as a money counter, helping to process the weekend collections each Monday. These are just a few examples of Brother Doug’s contributions. Congratulations, Brother Doug, and thank you for all you do for our Council, your parish, and the community.

June 2025

Larry Scheckel

Sir Knight Larry has been a Knight for 50 years and is also a 4th degree member of Assembly 1902. A past Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator, Brother Larry remains very involved and participates in most Council and Assembly activities. Most notably, Brother Larry writes a regular column for the Tomah Journal called the Knightly News that informs the community about all the great things the Knights are doing. At Queen of the Apostles Parish, Larry is a lector, usher, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. A retired science teacher, he writes another regular newspaper column that answers a diverse array of questions from readers. He has also written several books and educates and entertains students with presentations as “Mr. Science.”