Three prominent members of the Becker area were honored last Saturday at Pebble Creek by the Becker Education Foundation as part of their annual Community Recognition Gala.

Jean Johnson, Mark Kolbinger and Amy Drehmel were named the winners of the 2023 Outstanding Community Member Award — an award that recognizes businesses and community members who have distinguished themselves through contributions to the Becker community through volunteerism, service, philanthropy or social advocacy.

Jean Johnson

Johnson, who has been connected to the Becker area since her junior year in high school, was the first to receive her award. Johnson is well-known in the area for her work in agriculture and her association with Norm’s Farm Market and for leading the cause to start up the local Farm Friends organization.

Johnson and her husband, Steve, were married at the old Becker Lutheran Church more than 41 years ago. She and Steve have supported their two children (Jeff and Stacey) while they participated in football, wrestling, basketball and tennis.

Johnson has been involved with the Oak Savannah Planning Committee, Chair of Palmer Twp.’s Mn Design Team Project/Central MN Initiative Foundation, Sherburne History Center Board, Chair of Relay for Life team, Committee Member of Becker Farmer’s Market and she also supports the Second Harvest Heartland organization, Palmer Days, the local Lions Clubs, Clearwater Rodeo/Three of a Kind and the local Food Shelves.

Mark Kolbinger

Kolbinger is a born and bred Becker-ite and has spent his life working and volunteering in the Becker community. Mark’s passion for the place he grew up in knows no bounds.

Kolbinger is a graduate of BHS, Class of 1990. While Mark was a student, he participated in numerous activities including football, baseball, basketball, track, NHS and the 3-Act Play. He has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 28 years and they have two children in Kia and Kaitlin. The Kolbinger parenting team enjoyed watching their daughters participate in dance, speech and theater.

Mark started teaching in Becker after graduating from SCSU in 1995. He has been a high School and Middle School English teacher, an assistant principal and has chaired various school committees while also being the interim and acting athletic director during his tenure. He has enjoyed coaching and advising various activities from varsity baseball to middle school football to Robotics to NHS and was even on the Prom Committee.

Mark has also served as a city council member, a chairperson for the Sherburne County Substance Use Prevention Coalition, and as the Education Representative on the Sherburne County Community Corrections Advisory Board. He has played ball with the Becker Bandits and Buzzards and is a former member of the Becker Jaycees and the founding member of the Boys of Becker.

Amy Drehmel

Drehmel is highly active in her church (Becker Baptist) and her company called Compassion Connection.

Drehmel is originally from Central Wisconsin but she eventually found a home in Becker in 2014 after graduating from Madison Area Technical College. She is married (Kevin) and they have eight children (Stephanie, Andrew, McKenzie, Allison, Alexis, Kevoun, Kennedy and Ellyana.)

Drehmel formed Compassion Connection to help care for vulnerable children and families in the area and throughout Greater MN. She works closely with local public and private child welfare agencies to fulfill requests for items of need either through the organization’s Resource Closet or through financial gifts.

Amy and her family also participate in foster care through their Secret Santa program while also hosting regular events to encourage awareness and to motivate community participation in support of vulnerable children.

Amy has been heavily involved with other organizations including sitting on the board at Head Start, the Crossroads Mental Health Services organization, Joshua House, Children’s Justice Initiative, Bethany Christian Services and the Becker Homeless Project. Through Compassion Connection, Amy has helped support Becker Schools, the Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter, Birthline, Recovery Hope and Minnesota’s Adult & Teen Challenge.