About Us

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Our mission is to honor and remember the five men from Independent School District 196 who paid the ultimate sacrifice while actively serving our country by providing scholarships to young leaders and support to the community.

The Warrior 196 Leadership Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The funds raised through our community events, an annual Ultimate Frisbee tournament and an annual 5K Walk/Run, return to the community through scholarships to high schools students in the Rosemount / Apple Valley / Eagan School District 196.

Board of Directors:
  • Peter LaVoie, Chair Ultimate Frisbee Tournament Liaison
  • Jill Stephenson, Vice Chair
  • Pam Shultz, Treasurer
  • Joel Kiekbusch, 5K Liaison
  • Whitney Geiger, Volunteer Coordinator
  • Nancy Dostal
  • Pete Buesgens

The 196 Warriors

CPT Nathanael Doring, USMC

United States Marine Captain Nathanael Doring  was assigned toMarine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron-169, Marine Aircraft Group-39, of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and piloted Cobra attack helicopters for the USMC. 

A 1993 graduate of Apple Valley High School, he participared in interscholastic soccer for the Eagles as well as aviation courses; soccer and aviation were his passion.  Later, he was an honor graduate from The Milwaukee School of Engineering and then entered the USMC.

While deployed in Iraq in a forward combat zone, Captain Doring's Cobra Attack helicopter went down as a result of mechanical failure.  He died in the service of his country on 27 May 2006.

LCPL Daniel Olsen, USMC

United States Marine LCPL Daniel Olsen was a 2005 graduate of Eagan High School where he was an accomplished musician, as a member of the Eagan Wildcat High School Band.

Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, of the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, His commanding officer referred to Daniel as an exceptional Marine and an asset to his unit.  While deployed in Iraq, Daniel was killed in action in the service of his country on 2 April 2007.

CPL Benjamin S. Kopp, US Army Ranger

CPL Benjamin S. Kopp was an airborne ranger with the elite and storied 75th Ranger Regiment.  A 2006 graduate of Rosemount High School, Ben was an avid weight lifter and played football for the Irish.

While deployed with the 3/75 in Afghanistan, Ben was mortally wounded in a firefight yet saved the lives of six of his brother Rangers; he survived long enough to make it back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, wherehe passed away eight days later on 18 July 2009.

1LT Christopher Goeke, US Army Airborne

1LT Goeke was a junior officer with the renowned 82nd Airborne Division.  1LT Goeke was a 2004 graduate of Apple Valley High School, was involved in the arts, participated in football and tennis, and was a co-founder of the AVHS ultimate frisbee team. 

1LT Goeke accepted a candidacy to West Point and graduated 6th in his class in 2008.  He earned his jump wings and Ranger tab prior to his deployment.

1LT Goeke died in the service of his country repelling an Al Qaida assault on a position while he was deployed in Afghanistan on 13 July 2010.

CPL Andrew Wilfahrt,
US Army Military Police

CPL Wilfahrt was assigned to the 504th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade.  CPL Wilfahrt was a 1997 graduate of Rosemount High School Andrew loved music and perpetually had a writing notebook with him.

CPL Wilfahrt worked after high school, but found a calling to serve - and found a home - serving in the United States Army.

CPL Wilfahrt was deployed to Afghanistan and died in the service of his country while on patrol on 27 February 2011.