Outstanding Citizen Award

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Outstanding Citizen Award

Do you know of someone making a positive impact in your community? Someone who's gone unrecognized for all the great things they have done and continue to do to make the City a better place? Every year Columbia Heights seeks nominations for Outstanding Citizen (formerly Humanitarian of the Year), and the City needs your help finding the best nominees. The title is awarded in two categories (adult and youth), so please consider nominations for ages 14-18 as well as 18+.


Nominations for 2024 are now being accepted at City Hall (3989 Central Ave NE) through April 29, 2024. You may also email a scanned or electronic copy of your filled out form to wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov. Download a nomination form here.

Nomination forms from previous years are not retained and therefore cannot be considered. Please contact the Communications Coordinator at 763-706-3614 with questions.



Previous Winners
2023 - Mary Tholkes (adult) and Roger Rogne (youth)
2022 - Veronica Johnson
2021 - Linda Fowler (adult) and Drake Pham (youth)
2020 - Pat Sowada
2019 - Catherine Miske
2018 - Tanya Moore
2017 - Amáda Márquez Simula
2016 - Robert Peltier
2015 - James Fowler
2014 - Lorien Mueller

2013 - Armin Bruegger
2012 - Stephen Smith
2011 - Sue Murzyn
2010 - Betty & Glen Krahl
2009 - Howie Haeg
2008 - Cliff & Sharon Shedlov
2007 - Clarice Martin
2006 - Joan & Jerry Finney
2005 - Betty Sogge
2004 - Fran Jensen
2003 - Dale Schuetz
2002 - Rita Norberg
2001 - Wally Logacz
2000 - Vi Tabb
1999 - Kaye Stickler
1998 - Bruce Magnuson
1997 - Barbara Karol
1996 - Mary Lou Goodman
1995 - Dolores Strand
1994 - Margaret (Meg) Jones
1993 - Marsha Stroik
1992 - Janet Gillespie
1991 - Patricia Olynyk
1990 - Anthony Maciaszek
1989 - Bernard Szymczak
1988 - Pat Jindra
1987 - Susan Miskowic
1986 - Norma Bennett
1985 - Richard Lawrence
1984 - Russell Lyons
1983 - Florence Glader & Wally Grineski
1982 - Norma Osterndorf
1981 - Arden Marchiniak
1980 - Elaine Fealy
1979 - Abe Verbrugge
1978 - Ralph Rooney
1977 - Andy Chuchwar
1976 - Mary Hager