Friends of Gavin's Point National Fish Hatchery

Steven Willcuts Memorial

Steven M. Willcuts

A Devoted Friend of the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium.
This paddlefish sculpture was made possible through Steve Willcuts’s legacy and the partnership of The Friends of Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium.
We would also like to thank Modern Woodmen of America for their generous donation to help purchase the sculpture.

Ornamental Pear Trees Planted

The new trees were purchased from Tom Brady of Brady Tree Farm last week.
A BIG THANK YOU to
Carl & Jan Brush for purchasing one of the trees!! The second tree will be planted in memory of Mary Grandi and Steven Broyles.
The trees were planted across from the pollinator garden.
Thank you to everyone who helped with this project.

Ornamental Pear Trees Planted

Interpretive Sign Dedication

The Friends Group would like to thank Cathy Lynch-Becker & Modern Woodmen of America for their generous donation in helping purchase the signs. Thank you also to Dave Kokesh of Sign Tech for helping with the design and making of the signs. Our very own Sam Stukel of the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium for helping make it all possible!

Two signs located next to the Aquarium

Third sign located along the "Lake Yankton Multipurpose Trail" new trail next to the aquarium parking lot.

Pictured left to right: Nathan Mueller, Friends Group member; Amberlee Mueller, Friends Group member; Sam Stukel, Hatchery Biologist & Aquarium Curator; Ed Fefjar, Friends Group member; Brenda Willcuts, Friends Group President; Trenton Mueller, Friends Group member; Steven Willcuts, Friends Group member; Randy Steffen, Friends Group Vice President & Modern Woodmen member; Karin Ehlers, Friends group & Modern Woodmen member; Cathy Lynch-Becker Modern Woodmen of America Representative; Kent Goeden, Friends Group member. Not pictured: Marv Ehlers, Friends Group Treasurer; Friends Group & Modern Woodmen member Lynn Steffen; Friends Group & Modern Woodmen member Heather Steffen; Friends Group members Joyce Schurman, Karen Fefjar; Dan O’Connor.

2025 & 2026 Pollinator Garden

Ed & Karen Fefjar and Marv & Karin Ehlers THANK YOU for all your hard work the pollinator garden looks beautiful again this year!

2024 Pollinator Garden

Ed & Karen Fefjar and Marv & Karin Ehlers THANK YOU for all your hard work the pollinator garden looks beautiful again this year!

DEDICATION OF BENCHES

Photo courtesy of Sam Stukel
Back row left to right: Brenda Willcuts Friends Group President ; SDGFP employees Matt Yardley, Gene Guenther, Ron Olson, Lucas Pedersen, Joe James.
Front row left to right: Donors Carl Brush, Jan Brush, Pam Hamilton, Steve Hamilton. Not pictured Tom and Brenda Johnson.

Four benches were donated one was placed on the aquarium/hatchery trail and the other three were placed on the new trail "Lake Yankton Multipurpose Trail" located next to the aquarium.

Onna Morgan Memorial
Jan & Carl Brush

Cycling Is Living; Ride Safely
Jan & Carl Brush

Onna Morgan Memorial

Marv Ehlers & Carl Brush placing plaque

Sit, Relax and Enjoy the View
Steve & Pam Hamilton
Mike & Heather Robeson

Sit, Relax and Enjoy the View

Bench by the Pollinator Garden

Marv Ehlers & Carl Brush placing the Memorial plaque

Kent Eric Johnson
1970-2017
Peace to all who sit here.

Marv Ehlers & Carl Brush

2023 Pollinator Garden

Thank you to Friends of Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery members Ed & Karen Fefjar and Marv & Karin Ehlers for all your hard work planting and maintaining the pollinator garden this year. It is so beautiful when everything is blooming!

Trenton Mueller Friends Group member

Marv weeding the garden

photo by Sam Stukel

photo by Sam Stukel

Photo by Sam Stukel

Harvest Halloween

Steve & Trenton decorated the garden for the Fall

2023 Pollinator Garden

Trenton Mueller Friends Group member

Marv weeding the garden

photo by Sam Stukel

Photo by Sam Stukel

Harvest Halloween

Steve & Trenton decorated the garden for the Fall

Friends of Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Recently purchased a storage shed for the hatchery to use for extra storage. It will be used for different events including the "Catch A Trout" program. THANK YOU to friends group member Marv Ehlers for outfitting the inside of the shed!