North Dakota Bank completes Minnesota purchase

Northwestern Financial Review, Feb 5, 2000

North Dakota Banker Receives Top Salvation Army Volunteer Award

Lending a helping hand has long been the nature of Cavalier, N.D., banker Mary Ellen Latozke, a woman who has led her area's Salvation Army chapter for the past seven years. Whether it's ringing bells for donations at Christmas time or making sandwiches for disaster relief workers, Latozke and her group of volunteers in Pembina County have aided thousands.

For her efforts, Latozke was recognized on Nov. 24 as the state's 1999 Salvation Army Volunteer of the Year.

"It's an honor, but there are many people who work so hard and help so much," said Latozke, a personal banking officer at United Valley Bank. The look on the faces of the people we help is all the reward I need."

Since 1992, Latozke has been treasurer for the Salvation Army's Pembina County unit, helping needy families and others with life essentials that some take for granted. On numerous occasions the Salvation Army has paid for a transient's hot meal, a family's winter utility bill or gifts for nursing home residents.

In Pembina County, it's Latozke who works with local organizations such as law enforcement and social services to determine who will benefit from Salvation Army coffers. Her dedication has been invaluable, said Sue Odell, who works for the Salvation Army's divisional headquarters in Mandan, N.D.

"She is the Salvation Army in that county," said Odell, who noted the extra effort Latozke gave to flood victims from nearby Grand Forks, N.D., in April 1997.

Tim Siegle, United Valley Bank president, said his bank is fortunate to have someone such as Latozke working there. "Mary Ellen's a personal banker who works with many of the people in the community, so she has a feel for what the needs of the community really are."

It was Latozke who helped the Salvation Army build a stronger foundation in Pembina County, which borders Canada in the northeast corner of the state. For years, the charitable organization funded county law enforcement expenditures for people in need, but never had a self-supporting chapter. That's when Latozke took action.

The Salvation Army sought someone with a banking background to lead the area chapter, and Latozke decided she could handle the volunteer work. Her 23 years of banking experience and knowledge of the community would be vital in her new Salvation Army role in this county with 9,200 residents.

She's unafraid to recruit family and co-workers to help with Salvation Army activities. For example, she coaxed her United Valley Bank colleagues to make sandwiches for flood relief workers during the Flood of '97. Her husband, Dean, and younger son, Dean Jr., have helped pick up donated furniture, which gets stored at the family farm until a home can be found.

Latozke has to make sure that the Salvation Army's money goes a long way. She noted that the sole fundraiser for Pembina County's Salvation Army remains the Christmas kettle program. During the holiday season, volunteers stand outside local businesses as they ring handheld bells seeking donations from the public. The county's program nets up to $5,000 annually, Latozke said. She's the one to recruit and oversee the 50 or so bell ringers. And she'll ring the bell as well, standing outside in below-freezing weather.

"When parents take the time to tell their children why they are putting something in the kettle, they're giving them the wonderful feeling of helping someone in need," said Latozke, who grew up in the area.

By giving her time and helping needy families, Latozke said that she is accomplishing what any caring person would do. Whether it's providing clothing, furniture or money to get a person's teeth repaired, she and the Salvation Army will be there to help. Latozke recalled one such story that stays with her.

"One woman hadn't had glasses in 21 years. When I saw her in the new glasses and a tear run down her face, it was like/Hey, somebody's got to keep on doing this. The need is there.' It gives such a wonderful feeling."

By Monte Olmsted