Mission Statement: Providing family-oriented Christian homes for adultswho have developmental disabilities, on a working ranch.

Vol. 24 No. 2 “Shepherding the Hesitant” August 2012

Message from the

Executive Director

Joy Anderson Goehner grew up in Massachusetts; after high school she lived and worked in Boston and New York City. In 1970, following the funeral of her sister’s baby, Joy traveled to Hawaii where her sister and husband were living while serving in the Air Force. One Wednesday evening she went with Karen to a choir practice in a little Baptist church in Ewe Beach. Little did she know; that night would be the beginning of a life adventure with a young choir director/youth minister. A year and a half later they were in California where Larry finished seminary. Then in June 1973 off to Arizona where Joy worked with Native American women and children in two missions while Larry began building a program with Ralph Showers (Rainbow Acres) that would serve adults who have developmental disabilities. By this time she was mother to two little boys; loving this role and looking forward to being a homemaker and raising the boys. Five years later in 1978 I asked Joy again to make a move; this time to Washington to start over building another program for adults who are mentally challenged (New Hope Farms). There the office started in our apartment and later moved to the mobile home we lived in on the ranch property where the program was being started. The office, being in our home, kind of put her on the spot when asked to assume the secretarial and bookkeeping role. (Whatever happened to being a mother and a homemaker?) Then in the spring of 1986 we were approached about coming to Montana and starting another program you all know as Special K Ranch. This time Joy said, “I’ll give you five years.” In April 2012 she said, “Larry, five years was a long time ago; I’ve decided to retire in June.” Joy was the first secretary and bookkeeper for Special K Ranch and has served conscientiously and selflessly for 26

years. Her commitment and service went far beyond the daily office responsibilities. There were many hours of volunteer relief coverage for Home Advisors, freezing vegetables, butchering chickens, helping with special events, continuing to work while receiving chemo and radiation treatments and much, much more; the most challenging, however, was working with a boss who was also her husband. The space I am allotted here is not enough to convey the dedication, sacrifice and effort that Joy put into the beginning of Special K Ranch and the past twenty-six years of growth. She was a gift from God 42 years ago and has been a wonderful wife and partner in service.

Joy and Larry featured in the Billings Gazette Nov. 1986 four months after moving to Columbus to be the first directors of Special K Ranch.

Joy’s retirement party on June 7th 2012.

Please visit our website at www.specialkranch.org and find us on Facebook for news, activities and pictures.

A New ChapterI will lead the blind by ways they have

not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I

will do; I will not forsake them.Isaiah 42:16

The past 10 months have brought unprecedented expansion to the entire program of Special K Ranch. Along with the dedication of our new home, the vocational programs have expanded by means of our partnership with Montana Silversmiths and a new 5-year agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to grow native seedlings. Although all of that is significant, it is not what I am most excited about. I am talking about the nine new Residents that are calling Special K Ranch their new home. Yes! You heard me right (9) new Residents in less than 10 months. That’s one new resident a month, now that’s amazing. There are several really cool things that happen when someone is accepted into the ranch. One of the things that not many people realize is the amount of people affected and touched by their loved one moving to Special K. Grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all feel an emotional tug of mixed feelings in their heart. They soon begin to understand that it is not just their loved one being accepted into Special K Ranch, but their whole family being accepted into the Special K Family. See what I mean? Now multiply that by nine new residents and tell me you’re not excited about the ministry going on at Special K Ranch. Well done GOD! I have one more little tidbit of information about our nine new residents to leave you with. Paul, Billie Jean, Tyler (Bubba) Lord, Stephanie, Alex, Alan, and Tyler Sproule are all from Montana. Cathy is from Washington and Ben is from Missouri. That makes seven from Montana and two are out of state, just FYI. I know this letter is a bit shorter than usual, but the message sure is sweet! I am pretty sure I’ve told you how much I Love My Job!

Press On!Mike

A Gift from Life InsuranceAnother possibility for making a gift isto name Special K Ranch the beneficiary of a paid-up life insurance policy no longer needed.

Montana Endowment Tax CreditIf you live in Montana you can lower your state tax when you make a qualified planned gift to a Montana charitable endowment. We would be happy to visit with you about a gift annuity that qualifies for this tax credit. This gift would benefit you by giving you a tax credit, an income stream, and it would increase the Special K Ranch Endowment that supports present and future programs. The Montana Legislature may not renew this tax credit for 2014 and beyond; therefore we recommend you explore this option well before the close of 2013.

When I began working for Special K Ranch last February, I was quickly impressed by its talented staff, the strength and charisma of the residents and the momentum of the fundraising program. So far I have had a wonderful time getting to know everyone who is part of this great ministry – residents, volunteers, staff and donors – and I feel honored to become part of the Special K family.

The ranch has enjoyed a great deal of success, especially in recent years, with the help of many key supporters. These contributions have allowed us to make much-needed capital improvements such as construction of the Craig home, the Montana Silversmiths building and a new food storage building. Donations to help cover operating costs have and will continue to be essential, but thanks to our generous supporters, they have come through each year. These accomplishments are allowing us to serve more residents than ever before, a fact for which we all are very thankful. What a wonderful time to become part of the ranch!

In order to reach our long-term goal of becoming as self-sustaining as possible, we are engaging in several opportunities. We just learned that we have acquired funding from the Treacy Foundation to add a hydroponic produce complex to the existing greenhouse facility, which will allow us to grow lettuce, herbs and other produce. Soon we will finish the Montana Silversmiths production building, a necessary step toward helping the program flourish. Efficiency of resident homes will be improved by installing air-to-air heat pumps capable of both heating and cooling the houses. In addition to making these improvements, routine maintenance, such as installing new roofing of three existing resident homes, replacing several administration vehicles, and replanting our pastures, must be completed. We will continue to raise funds for the Special K Ranch Foundation endowment. The endowment is a very important step toward making the ranch self-sustaining in the long term. As the endowment grows, it will ease the burden of annual operating costs.

This lengthy list of opportunities may have you asking, “How are they going to do all of that?” The answer is straightforward: with your continued support. Donations from individuals and private foundations have been critical to the ranch’s success in the past and they will continue to play a key role in the future. Even though we have been blessed with favorable conditions, especially in recent years, it is crucial to the ranch and its residents that we build upon our successes. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for making the ranch what it is today and, with your continued support, having foresight to make it successful in the future.

Steve AadlandDevelopment Director

Please visit our website at www.specialkranch.org and find us on Facebook for news, activities and pictures.

New Staff and ResidentsSpecial K Ranch has welcomed several new residents and staff. New residents include Cathy Aexel, Paul Laveau, Alex Klee, Stephanie Morelli, Tyler Lord, Tyler Sproule, Alan LaSeur, Ben (Wayne) Cheshire and Billie Jean Nelson.

New staff include Sharon Flemetis - Financial Operations Facilitator (Joy Goehner’s successor); and new House Parents Joshua and Katie McCray and Jess and Kaylena Everett.

We are delighted that these talented new staff and residents have become part of Special K Ranch.

The Treacy Foundation has provided a very generous grant of $38,500 to add a hydroponic produce complex to the existing greenhouse facility. We are excited to start this project, which will increase our capacity to grow produce and herbs that will be sold at local and semi-local vendors. The Muryl and Lu Myhre Foundation of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is also supporting this project with a $5,000 grant that will be used to drill a new well for the facility.

Check out our website at www.specialkranch.org and on Facebook for news, activities and pictures.

Stephanie Haworth, Stephanie Lalim, Robin Willems, Stephanie Morelli and Cathy Aexel helped with a Ladies’ Tea Fundraiser that Mission Ridge Senior

Living of Billings, Montana, held to benefit Special K Ranch.

The event raised over $2,400 insupport of the SKR greenhouse

expansion project.

Memorials and Honorariums February 1 – June 30 2012We are pleased that the people memorialized and honored on these pages are part of the on-going ministry of special K ranch.

A SpeciAl ThAnk You To ThoSe mAking TheSe gifTS:

In Honor of:DORTHY ADAMS Keith & Donna NelsonBARBARA ARCHER Dawn & David ArcherBOB ARD Joy SianHAZEL ARTHUN Don & Marilyn MussetterGLORIA BOROUGHS Marlene DonaughKORA BREICKJERN Dale & Evelyn WilliamsPHYLLIS BREMER Loren & Nancy SasserBILL BROWN, JR. Donna DelpJUNIOR CAPRA K. & Virginia HuckinsDAVE CARBRIDGE K. & Virginia HuckinsVIOLA CASTELLANO Lucretia AmenFRANK CHILD Keith & Donna NelsonHILDA CHURCHILL Phyl MillerMARY LYNN CRUM Margaret R SolheimCARL DAVIS JC & Janet HortonKATHERINE DAY James & Carol SwansonLOUIS DIETRICH James & Carol SwansonDOROTHY DRAIN Don & Dolores McclureJEAN DRAIN Ken & Colleen EkleBONNIE DUMOLT Samuel & Jeannette CainDENNIS EGGUM Keith & Donna NelsonVICTOR EISENMAN Marvin & Kay KappelESTHER EVANS Bob & Wanda EastlickRUTH FLAGLER Darlene KohlMABLE FOLTZ Larry & Barbara AdamsESTHER FRANK Leroy & Norma KappelESTHER BATT FRANK Robert & Kerry DowningK. DEAN FRANK Everett & Carole JonesLOUIS GAUTHIER Al & Shirley HavensVIRGINIA GAUTHIER Al & Shirley HavensLESTER GEE Hazel StevensALVIN GEORGE Jeanette OstrumTIM GEORGE Jeannette & Ervin HossfeldMARGE GRATWOHL Sandra A RackiMIKE GREGG Bob & Beverly Harper

GARY HAFER Bobbie OstrumDONALD HARPER Jack & Audrey ParksERNEST HARRISON. Sandra & Hank PeckGERTRUDE HARROUN Clyde & Helen ObergWILMER, HART Cathie KautzELTON HELLAND K. & Virginia HuckinsDON HEMPHILL Freida McLaughlinKAY HETLER Lydon & Janet OlsonNICOLE JOY HOFFNER Kerry & Doris KeyserMARY ANN HOLMES Ken WilliamsLEROY IVERSEN Keith & Donna NelsonROSEMARY JANY William & Gladys BernhardtELMER KAUTZ Lucretia AmenMARTHA KING Jean MclaneCONNIE KLEIN Sue HallenEVA KORBER Phil & Lecia LetzBOBBI LALIM Ron & LaVon AndersonKENNY LAUBACH Richard & Luanne LavoldLARRY LEIKAM Herbert & Betty KindsfaterCAROLYN LEUTHOLD Donna LeutholdTOM LINDGREN Bob & Betty SaxburyFRED LOOMIS Melba M. CurreyJACKI LOPER. Samuel & Jeannette CainCASSIE LORENZ Carol RoncelliMARY LOYNING Ken & Colleen EkleED MARCURE James & Carol SwansonROBERT MC COLLOUGH Mabel Mc CulloughRICHARD MCCANN Terry & Judy KrumBILL & KAREN MCDONALD Robert N. & Vera UlschakSHARON MCMILLEN Ervin & Peggy WoodFRED MEHLING Freida McLaughlinRICHARD METZGER Peggy WoodALEX MILL Tom & Pam RobertusRON MILLER Sue HallenMARY ANN MINCH Keith & Donna Nelson

DANZEL NEELY Gary & Patricia BenzelPHIL NIEMAN Joyce KnowlesHILDA NOLTE Bob & Beverly HarperDONALD OSTRUM Bobbie OstrumSYBIL PETERSON Charles MilneBERNICE PIERCE Joy SianDON RONAN James & Valorie K KraftROBERT RUDNICH James & Carol SwansonMIKE SAXBURY Ken WilliamsRALPH & MARILYN SHOWERS Larry & Joy GoehnerMRS. STEAVENSON Joy SianVIRGINIA STRINI M.J. De CarloBILL STRONG Margie DeCarloTOM STUDER K. & Virginia HuckinsELDON VERMANDEL Anita JonesDENNIS WACKER James & Carol SwansonSCOTT WADDELL Freida McLaughlinCRAIG WALEN Michael & Jeannette WalenMIKE WEIMER Robert & Kerry DowningSTATTIE WHITCANACK Park City American Legion Unit 100VESTA WICHMAN Darlene FoxDONNA WILLIAMS Ken WilliamsDELBERT WILSON Montana Angus AssociationDOROTHY WILSON Herbert & Betty KindsfaterFRANK WOMBOLT Kelly & Sheryl BresterERNEST WYTTENBACH Bill & Shelley BernhardVIRGINIA GOVERN YEGEN Sandra & Hank PeckLEO ZEMBLISKA Mylo & Kay Sather

Memorial:CLAUDE ALBERS William & Fay HaynieBONNIE ALT Joyce KnowlesBENJAMIN ARCHER Barbara ArcherARLENE BARRETT Robin IversonLEROY BESEL William & Gladys Bernhardt Margaret & Leslie Frank

LOUISE BLACKFORD Gary HinesVIRGINIA BOGRETT Joan Lee GrafCHRIS BRANGER John & Kathleen ChaffeeHAROLD BRESTER Bob & Beverly Harper Raymond RobertusBILL BROWN Joy SianKEITH BROYLES Mara Broyles Clarence & Yvonne TrushenskiMARIE BROYLES Mara BroylesVIOLA CASTELLANO Richard & Celesta ZeilerJOANN COBURN Gary & Donna PippinPAUL CONROD James ConrodLILLIAN CUNNINGHAM Thomas BlankenshipGEORGE C DALTHORP Jill Degn Scott & Judy JeffersPHILLIP DAWES Marge DawesJEAN DRAIN Bob & Wanda EastlickBETTY EICKLEBERG Jim & Loretta DollVICTOR EISENMAN Marlene B Anderson Lee Eide Wayne & Carol Eisenman Gary & Peggy Hedges Leroy & Norma KappelJACK ELLIS John & Kathleen ChaffeeESTHER EVANS Dale & Kathie Anderson Marvin & Susan Carter Stan & Judy Eisenman Norman & C, J. Evans Mr. & Mrs. Cal Feuerbacher Carol Feuerbacher Bob & Beverly Harper Jim & Ruth Hatten Ralph & Barbara Hoffman Joan Miller David & Betty Neibauer Ruth & Norman Orr Ken WilliamsFRED FEUERBACHER III David & Betty Neibauer Ken WilliamsRUTH FLAGLER Al & Shirley HavensMABLE FOLTZ William & Irene N Hergett Lois Lorash Margaret D Steckel Larry & Carol StiefESTHER FRANK Margaret & Leslie Frank Gregg & Margery H Gaab Gary & Peggy Hedges Paulette & Donald Hoffman

Darlene Holwegner Richard & Mildred Parker Gary & Donna PippinWILLIAM FRANK Warren & Judith FrankALEX FREIDENBERGER Herbert & Betty KindsfaterBUD FUNK Ms. Jennine BudgeMARGARET FUNK Ms. Jennine BudgeLOUIS GAUTHIER Lee Eide Stan & Judy Eisenman Ken WilliamsVIRGINIA GAUTHIER Lee Eide Stan & Judy Eisenman Ken WilliamsALVIN GEORGE Gregg & Margery H Gaab Ethel H PeltonTIM GEORGE Sandra & Hank PeckANNASTASIA GERRELLS Jan, Chad, Jeremy, Kerri, Maddilyn LehmanOTTO GOEHNER Larry & Joy GoehnerHAROLD GRATWOHL Sandra A RackiMIKE GREGG Gary & Mary Clement Wes & Elaine Clement Sherri & Ken Deaver Cathy Hensel Thomas & Karen MasonLESLIE GRUBS Roberta HarperJUDY HADLOCK Celia & Bob Gilbert Warren & Phyllis GramleyGARY HAFER Sandra & Hank PeckALLEN HARDT Lucretia Amen Jerry &Thresa GoodmanDONALD HARPER Roberta HarperWILMER, HART Nick & Dora Badilla William & Gladys Bernhardt Bruce & Lillian Devries Darlene Kohl Bob & Betty Saxbury William & Linda StrauchBURWIN C HAYES Frances M HuffDON HEMPHILL A & J Realty, Inc. Janel Brunckhorst Ken & Colleen Ekle Curtis KuehnTED HEPPERLE Steve & Janet StickneyKAY HETLER Brad Hetler Damy Hetler Jim Hetler & Damian Mylo Hetler Carol Littleroind

Memorials and Honorariums continued

ROBERT D HOAGLAND Lois HoaglandHALGERT HOLLIDAY John & Linda LabrieWALTER HOLMES Elsie Holmes Ken & Tina Steele & LauraDENNIS W. HOSSFELD Kathy Currie Farmers Union Trading Co. Paul & Ruth Farnes Bill & Tammy Gibson Ronald & Linda Hossfeld Daniel E Kramer Gary & Tami Marsh Francie RiemannJIM HUCK Hilda HuckMARY HUNTLEY Hugh HuntleyCLARENCE & JANITH JENKINS Larry & Joy GoehnerBRUCE JOHNSON Dean & Kelli JohnsonMARY ANN JONES James W JonesMARTHA KING Gary & Shannon Brown Gregg & Margery H Gaab Spike & Kathy McLane Kenneth & Jane PenneyCONNIE KLEIN Jim & Ruth Hatten Maurice & Susan Kaiser Donna Leuthold Chris Meccage Dean & Mary Rankin E.C. & Iline Rehling Bob & Betty Saxbury Jan & Irene StingleyROGER KNAPP Betty KuehnVERNON KNOWLES Sonny & Larilyn Birky Max & Kirsti Cederberg Tudi Cowen Leonard & Marguerite Dahl Louis & Elizabeth Freeman Donna Van WechelDELAINE KROLL John & Susan KrollFLORENCE KRUM Terry & Geri RudioANNE “TOODIE” KUNKEL Jan, Chad, Jeremy, Kerri, Maddilyn Lehman Libby Stroeher

BOBBI LALIM Dan Aasen Todd & Christie Aleshire Delwayne Becker Darlene Bickler Roger & Georgia Blestrud Bruce & Susan Bradford Joe & Shirley Breckey Glenn & Joanne Enger Marlene E Fortier Lyle & Ellen Fox Susan Gilmore Myron & Frances Gravgaard Roger & Mia Gravgaard Maureen Haggerty Floyd & Berniece Halverson Ara & Arley Hartsoch Don & Thressa Heinle Daryle & Opal Holte Cheryl Holton Rose Hornstein Brian & Jen Howard Mike & Kim Humphreys Mr. & Mrs. Milo Iverson Rena Iverson Monica Johnson Daniel & Mary Joyce Dale & Marlene Karlgaard Donald & Verlee Kjosen Dorothy Krogen David & Regina Lalim Valarie Lalim Meg Lescano Tim & Betty Lindsey Rick Magnuson Galen & Sara Meier Virgil & Mary Miller Arlo & Beverly Moberg Melvin & Shirley Moe James & Kristy Mollgaard Barry & Jeannine Momchilovich Merle & Patricia Nylander Brodie & Bridgette Odegaard Rod & Clrene Olsen Berniece Olson Russell & Ethyl Papineau Lowell & Shelly Pederson Deanna Peterson Gale & Amy Rauschenberger Raymond & Lillian Schmidt Ella F Strahan Mildred Strand Raydean & Juli Strid Dana & Janyce Strobel Earl & Alice Swenson Joni Syverson

Larry & Beverly Thompson Kari Thrift Gary & Phyllis Torske Bob & Candice Wenger Josh Wenger Jason & Sarah Whaley James & Karol Wolla Norman & Susan Wonser AndersonLARRY LEIKAM Bob & Wanda Eastlick Stan & Judy Eisenman Larry & Nancy Frank Elhart & Mary HoffmanEDWARD LELAND Barbara S PrestrudJAMES LENHARDT Maurine LenhardtCAROLYN LEUTHOLD Mike & Eva HollenbeckHENRYY LICH Samuel & Jeannette Cain Herbert & Betty KindsfaterJACKI LOPER Gary & Linda Frank Betty A Simons William & Linda StrauchMARLENE LOWMAN Michael & Lorrie Bernhardt Gregg & Margery H Gaab Gary & Peggy Hedges Eunice I Manly Betty A SimonsAXEL & HAZEL LUNDRING Kirsten & Karsten LundringCHARLES MCGLOTHLIN Robert & Sandy WesternTIM MCGLOTHLIN Robert & Sandy WesternSHARON MCMILLEN Bev & Ralph Amen Lucretia Amen Rick & Julie Bailey Norma Brester Samuel & Jeannette Cain Robert & Kerry Downing Bob & Wanda Eastlick Lee Eide Stan & Judy Eisenman Wayne & Carol Eisenman Margaret & Leslie Frank Gary & Peggy Hedges Elhart & Mary Hoffman Leroy & Norma Kappel Marvin & Kay Kappel Ed & Roxie Kraft, Jr. Terry & Rena Laughery Martin & Kathleen Mohr

Park City American Legion Unit 100 Raymond Robertus Tom & Pam Robertus Brent & Karla Shay Kathy R Shay Larry & Delores Simons William & Linda StrauchED MELBY Dale & Evelyn WilliamsRICHARD METZGER Herbert & Betty Kindsfater Tom & Pam RobertusRON MILLER Bob & Beverly Harper Jim & Ruth Hatten David & Sarah KislingCHARLES MUSSETTER Jeanette OstrumDANZEL NEELY Dana & Janyce Strobel Diane K VangordenEMILY NILES Gary & Peggy HedgesHILDA NOLTE Jeff MrachekDONALD NORDAHL Jean Freeman Richard & Lorna Kappel William & Linda StrauchGREGGIE OHLHAVER Freida McLaughlinSHARON OLEKSAK Lucretia AmenDOROTHY PIERCE Carole LowenkronPHIL & BETTY POPE Ralph & Carolyn GrannerGRACE POTTS Nettie & Jeff WelbornMARGARET RACKI Sandra A RackiLEO RADACH Marland & Linda RadachELAINE RIESINGER Gary & Peggy HedgesDON RONAN Jim & Ruth Hatten Elhart & Mary Hoffman Darlene Huschka Robert & Kay Kraft Sam & Sharon Robertus Wallace & Thelma ShayALFRED RUDIO Andrew & Karin RackiMARIAN RUDIO Andrew & Karin RackiBEVERLY SANKOVICH

Herbert & Betty KindsfaterLYDIA SCHLECHT Wayne E SchlechtDICK SCHWARTZ Rodney & Linda HalvorsonJOHN SHERMAN Gregory & Anita MossJAY DEE SINGLETON Bertha LangemoELLEN SONDENO Lauren & Evelyn DamschenKAY & KAREN STAHLECKER Mr Winston Stahlecker Jill DegnJOANNE SWIFT Clara BennerBOURGOGNE TAYLOR Gloria SwansonGORDON VAN FOSSEN Marlin & Joy WaylanderKATHY WANROY Jerry & Lorena TaylorJOHN WARREN Ruth WarrenDONNA WILLIAMS Ken Williams Stacy & Dick McComb-GoinsDELBERT WILSON Kathy CurrieDOROTHY WILSON Robert & Sharon AndersonFRANK WOMBOLT Dennis & Mary Wagner Jan, Chad, Jeremy, Kerri, Maddilyn Lehman

YourWill

A Way toHelp Others

A will is the simplest form of a planned gift and it affords everyone the opportunity to help others and have a living legacy. Consider naming Special K Ranch in your will for a percentage, a specific amount,

or as the sole benefactor. Special K Ranch could also be named as beneficiary of a tax-deferred IRAor other retirement plan. The blessings you have received will continue to bless and help others.

When updating your will, check with your attorney for the proper legal forms and wording.

406-322-5520www.specialkranch.org

P.O. Box 479Columbus, MT 59019

Montana Rail link held an online auction

to benefit Special k Ranch in May

The auction proceeds, combined with a $5,000 matching grantfrom the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, totaled$9,255. These funds will be used to finish the soffit, fasciaboards, siding and shelving for the newly constructedfood storage building, and to purchase sortingtables for the facility.

L to R: Steve Aadland (SKR Development Director), Jeremy Litton, Cindi Gordon, Stephanie Morelli, Mark Smith (Montana Rail Link Assistant Superintendant) and Alex Klee.