Catholic Charities chooses Dan and Mary Reckase, Sr. Catherine Kaiser for community recognition awards

The community service provided by three area residents will soon be honored by Catholic Charities of La Crosse at the group’s annual Lenten Luncheon.

Dan and Mary Mundt Reckase will receive the “faithful servant” award from the Diocese of La Crosse. They are being recognized, along with Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) Sister, Catherine Kaiser.

The award luncheon will be held March 20 at the Diocesan Center in La Crosse.

The Reckases have been a driving force behind FolksHaven, where people with mental health issues can live while receiving treatment.

“We saw a need for a place where people could live for a period of time, without pressure of leaving on a certain deadline,” Mary Reckase told reporters Wednesday. “They could live in this steady environment where there’s other people to form a sense of community and relationship with.”

The development of FolksHaven followed the suicide seven years ago of Dan and Mary’s son David Reckase, at age 29.

Dan Reckase said Folkshaven was designed to provide services that seemed to be in short supply.

“We decided to try and develop a supported living house for people with mental issues,” he said. “Various things that had been available were being closed down for a lack of funding or whatever reasons.”

Sister Catherine will receive the “In My Name” award for her service to the church.

She said it’s “inspiring” and a privilege to serve on committees that assist the public, “whether it’s the homeless, whether it’s the mother with a baby, who has no one to support her, whether they’re children, young adults, who are disabled.”

This is the 16th year of the Catholic Charities award luncheon.