Sheboygan County's 2021 People of the Year drove growth, protected the environment and the homeless, and pushed for diversity

SHEBOYGAN - 2021 saw “the granddaddy of all golf tournaments,” the Ryder Cup, come to town as the community navigated year two of the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the year, the county also endured a worker shortage and saw businesses come and businesses go.

In November, we asked readers to nominate people who made a difference in the Sheboygan County community in the past year.

Readers submitted their nominations and we added some of our own.

Our staff then narrowed the list down to these people — who promoted our community’s health and well-being, worked to better our community, helped provide shelter for our community's homeless, drove economic growth, served as role models, fed our community’s homebound, spread messages of unity, built playgrounds and won state championships.

Here’s our list of 2021 People of the Year in Sheboygan County.

Hannah Noelle, for sharing her story to inspire others

Hannah Noelle, a model with and representative of an inclusive modeling agency in Arizona, shared the story of how she became a model to inspire people in Sheboygan.

Born and raised in Sheboygan, Noelle enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and described hiding feelings of gender dysphoria behind a "big and macho" image of herself.

But after coming out as transgender in her late 20s, support from friends and family led Noelle to pursue a dream of becoming a fashion model.

Today, Noelle is on her way to becoming a supermodel who walks in fashion shows around the world, while working with others to make the industry more inclusive by educating audiences — like her hometown — that modeling is something for everyone wanting to put in the work.

Alex Liosatos, for her efforts to promote health and well-being

Inside and outside of work, Alex Liosatos has led efforts to promote people’s mental and physical health during the pandemic.

As director of counseling services at Lakeland University, in addition to overseeing campus counseling services, Liosatos trains master's students in a peer support program runs suicide prevention trainings and does outreach to encourage students to seek support when they need it.

"She's very intentional in getting connected to students," said fellow counselor Amanda Groll, who said significantly more students are reaching out for help this year not only because of the pandemic's impacts on students' mental health but because of Liosatos' desire to connect with as many students as possible.

In addition, as president of the Sheboygan Hmong Mutual Assistance Association since the end of 2020, Liosatos has helped raise funds for mental health initiatives through collaboration with the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Associations.

Liosatos “was and still is very instrumental in driving these initiatives at the local level,” said Lue Yang, the vice president of HMAA.

Liosatos also took a leadership role in partnering with public health officials to host successful vaccination pop-up clinics at HMAA and coordinated a virtual Q&A session on COVID-19.

“There are few people that I know that are as deserving of Person of the Year because she does a lot of work in a lot of different areas,” Groll said. “She’s pretty fantastic.”

Jerry Matzdorf, for his involvement to better the Plymouth community

Jerry Matzdorf’s passion to serve the Plymouth community led him to a seat on the Plymouth city council in 2020 and only grew from there.

Matzdorf had a lengthy record of community involvement before going onto city council, as an active member and ambassador of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and a board member of both the Plymouth Arts Center and the Plymouth Mill Pond Lake Association.

He was always first to volunteer for special events around Plymouth, from fundraising to helping to set up and run events.

Becoming a city council member was Maztdorf’s “crowning joy” because he was able to directly serve his district and city, said Jeanne Paape, Matzdorf’s mother-in-law.

Matzdorf, 46, passed away in October after a long battle with COVID-19 and was soon after recognized by the City of Plymouth for his pride, dedication and outstanding service to the community.

Mary Arenberg and George Schroeder, for providing above and beyond medical care

Dr. Mary Arenberg and Dr. George Schroeder — or Dr. Mary and Dr. George to their longtime patients — have owned and run a small family medical practice, Plymouth Family Physicians, for more than 35 years.

Patients say the couple is known for their thoroughness at appointments, taking as long as an hour to explain medical problems and treatments to patients.

Arenberg and Schroeder have also been recognized in the field for their work on preventive medicine, a central part of their philosophy symbolized by the apple logo of their practice.

The doctors even make house calls to some patients.

Since they run a private clinic, “their pagers are busy at all times of the day and night,” one patient said.

During the pandemic, Arenberg and Schroeder worked after hours to get vaccines for their clinic, helped distribute the vaccine to local health care workers and older residents, and continue to offer shots to the public as a walk-in service.

The two doctors are retiring at the end of this year.

Mary Lutzke and Mary Kultgen, for their effort to replace playground equipment at Kohler-Andrae State Park

Mary Lutzke and Mary Kultgen led a multi-year major fund-raising effort to remove and replace 30-year-old playground equipment at Kohler-Andrae State Park.

The new playground was completed just before Memorial Day weekend.

Lutzke and Kultgen, with the support of Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park, raised $130,000 to cover the cost of the playground structure.

They also met with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and a playground contractor to facilitate the removal of old equipment and design and install new equipment.

Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park awarded the two women a Volunteer of the Year Award, saying they were “unstoppable.”

The new park is more accessible to kids with different abilities, with a Freedom Swing that has a back and harness and a mat more easily traversable in wheelchairs and other assistive devices.

Herbert V. Kohler Jr., for uplifting the community and bringing the Ryder Cup to town

Herbert V. Kohler Jr. has served as the executive chairman for Kohler Company since 2015 as well as the chief executive of Kohler Company since 1972.

He was nominated for People of the Year for his efforts in showcasing and uplifting Sheboygan.

“Whether presenting their annual scholarships or showcasing the beauty of our lakeshore, his commitment to showcase Sheboygan County deserves the praise of every citizen of Sheboygan,” wrote Jeff Radtke, who nominated Kohler.

Kohler Foundation offers the Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship of up to $100,000 for outstanding leadership. They also offer the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship of up to the same amount for artistic merit. The scholarships are awarded to students graduating from Sheboygan County high schools.

Kohler also had a large involvement in the Ryder Cup competition taking place at Whistling Straits in late September. He had “made it his mission” to bring championship golf competitions to Wisconsin, and was successful in doing so.

The Ryder Cup competition brought more than 50,000 tourists and residents to Kohler to spectate the golfing competition.

“This past September’s Ryder Cup was a much-needed shot into the morale and economic well-being of Sheboygan County,” wrote Radtke. “The impact of this one event will be felt for years to come. Thanks, Mr. Kohler, for your pride and continued commitment to Sheboygan County.”

Brenda Potter, for giving back to the community and helping give shelter to the homeless

Brenda Potter was born and raised in Sheboygan. She has made many donations to the community in effort to help individuals and families who are struggling with finding housing.

Potter was nominated for her philanthropic efforts in the community.

In 2020, Potter donated funds to the Sheboygan County Halfway House, which allowed it to purchase a four-unit apartment complex, used to house homeless or low-income families in the Sheboygan Area School District. This started the Potter’s Place program.

The complex, 2612 Erie Ave., was also temporarily used for women in need of transitional housing after they had completed their time at the Manor, a residential facility for women provided by Sheboygan County Halfway House.

This year, Potter made another donation allowing the purchase of a duplex, which added two more units to the program.

Potter is also a high-level donor to Making Spirits Bright, an organization that collects food and other necessary product donations and delivers them to the Sheboygan County Food Bank.

In the past, Potter has made donations up to $10,000 to Making Spirits Bright.

“Brenda has pledged to continue to help her hometown community until the food and housing needs of Sheboygan residents are met,” wrote Making Spirits Bright in a thank-you letter to Potter.

Potter now resides in California, but actively donates and helps Sheboygan.

Kelly Anderson, for setting a model for delivering healthy meals to the homebound

Kelly Anderson is CEO of Fresh Meals on Wheels, a delivery service program that provides nutritious, home-delivered meals to elderly, disabled and otherwise homebound Sheboygan residents.

Meals on Wheels is a non-profit charitable organization that was founded in Sheboygan in 1970. What started out with one route and six clients quickly expanded to the 30 routes and more than 300 clients they serve today. Their route expands into Kohler, Sheboygan Falls and Elkhart Lake.

The organization decided to take a more healthy approach to their business by providing fresher options to their clients. In 2012, the company opened its facility at 1004 S. Taylor Drive, which also has a kitchen.

They began growing their own produce and cooking fresh meals right at their facility.

The organization's mission is stated, “to provide delicious, nourishing meals and wellness checks for those who are unable to obtain or prepare proper nutritional meals, regardless of race, color, ability, national origin, age or income.”

Anderson has been overseeing the organization as the CEO and has made many efforts to improve the quality and standards of their services. Her retirement has been announced for next year.

“Kelly has been the driving force behind transforming Meals on Wheels to Fresh Meals on Wheels,” wrote Wally Waldhart in his nomination. “It is now a model for the rest of the nation as other organizations have come from all over the country to help them do something similar.”

The group's website states it has shared its secrets of success with many other programs in the United States as well as Canada.

“Fresh Meals on Wheels has been a real game-changer for our community and sets the standard for the nation,” Waldhart wrote. “Kelly deserves the lion’s share of the credit for making that happen.”

Michael Thomas, for spreading a message of unity and hope and being active in the community

Michael Thomas is an active member of the Sheboygan community. He is a known pastor at Hope Community Church, a high school basketball coach and the president of the Black-American Community Outreach Organization.

Thomas moved to Sheboygan in 1997 when he was 14 years old. He’s lived in and out of the city for years, until he opened his church, House of Saints, in 2018. The church would meet in the Upper Room building at 1125 N. Eighth St. In September 2020, House of Saints joined with Hope Community Church, where Thomas continued as the pastor.

The church established a food pantry at Hope Community Church as well as a “career closet” stocked with professional clothes for people looking for something to wear to a job interview.

The food pantry calendar is available on the church’s website as well as links to other community resources.

In June 2020, Thomas started Black-American Community Outreach, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to uplift the Black community and to “give all individuals in Sheboygan the power to achieve their dreams.”

The group's website states its vision is to “empower and support the Black community members in Sheboygan with resources and tools in an effort to promote and encourage economic growth, academic success, job/employment skills while encouraging and providing opportunities to serve the community.”

The organization focuses on five areas to benefit those who are a part of the organization: education and leadership training, job search and placement assistance, community service and volunteerism, mentorship opportunities and event planning.

Taylor has organized unity walks, cookouts and other events under his organization.

In August 2020, the organization organized a walk for unity where law enforcement officials, city officials and community members linked arms and walked from Fountain Park to the Sheboygan County Courthouse. More than 100 people attended the walk.

In 2016, the Sheboygan Police Department introduced the Chaplain Program, which was developed as a way to provide spiritual and emotional support to members of the department, their families and even the public. Thomas was one of three pastors who volunteered their services to the program.

According to the Sheboygan Police Department website, police chaplains are professionally trained and committed to ministering to all people, regardless of religious beliefs.

Taylor’s countless efforts to be involved in his community as well as give back have earned him this nomination.

Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran boys soccer, for earning a state title

For the first time as a co-op, Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran ended the season as state champions by winning the WIAA Division 4 title over Oostburg on Nov. 6.

The Eagles topped the Flying Dutchmen in penalty kicks with goalkeeper Tony Schmitz making the championship-winning goal.

While it was the first state championship for the co-op, Sheboygan Christian won back-to-back Division 3 state titles in 2002 and 2003.

Howards Grove volleyball for their state three-peat

It was a three-peat for the Tigers, winning a third-straight WIAA Division 3 championship over Lake Country Lutheran on Nov. 6, sweeping the Lightning.

Despite entering the state tournament as reigning two-time champs and ranked No. 1 throughout much of the season, Howards Grove was the No. 2 seed by virtue of a head-to-head loss to Lake Country Lutheran.

The Tigers, though, proved to be the clear better side and won the fifth state title in program history, with previous titles coming in 1976 and 2016.

Aiden Vandenbush, for winning his second-straight state title

Random Lake senior Aiden Vandenbush won a second-straight WIAA Division 3 state wrestling championship, taking home the title at 160 pounds with a perfect 23-0 record.

He went 51-0 and won the crown at 152 as a junior to finish his prep career with a 74-match winning streak.

Cael Erickson, for becoming the fifth state champ in school history

Cedar Grove-Belgium junior Cael Erickson capped his season with a 17-0 record and WIAA Division 3 wrestling title at 145 pounds.

Erickson defeated Karson Casper of Coleman 5-0 in the championship match.

Erickson became the fifth state champion in school history and first since 1996.

2020 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: These 2020 efforts are worth remembering

2019 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: Stories that made our county proud in 2019

2018 PEOPLE OF THE YEAR: A hero pizza man, athletes whose stories inspired us, and a governor-elect

Did we miss someone? Reader nominations were sought in November, but did we miss someone you thought was deserving? Share your feedback. Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan 2021 People of the Year include Herbert Kohler for Ryder Cup