here - Southwest Initiative Foundation

After 58 years of marriage, Elroy—known as Burgie to many—and NitaBurgeson of Granite Falls have a sense of comfortable compatibility. Hearingthem reminisce about careers, raising their two children and spending timewith four grandchildren, you wouldn’t know how big of a role they played inhelping revive southwest Minnesota.The couple met at Mankato State University. After a few yearsof Elroy teaching in Butterfield, they moved into the GraniteFalls home they still own today. At the time, it was on the edgeof town, a setting Nita enjoyed since it reminded her of growingup on a farm. Now, it’s surrounded by more homes and sitsjust blocks from a place where Elroy spent much of his time.For many years, Elroy served as an administrator for theGranite Falls Area Vocational Technical Institute, which wasone of 33 like it in the state. He built its programs from theground up, and even in retirement, education remains hispassion.Early Boards of Directorsplayed instrumental rolesin setting the groundworkfor SWIF’s future success.Pictured (L to R) in 1989are Doug Bultman, KentGustafson, Don Stella,Gloria VandeBrake, ElroyBurgeson, Mary Page,Gerald Michaelson andRobert Carothers.Elroy recalls a phone call from then-President of SouthwestMinnesota State University Robert Carothers in the mid-1980s.The McKnight Foundation wanted to help rural Minnesota asit faced economic and social crisis. Together with Mark Loftus,also then with the University, they submitted the first proposalto McKnight to create the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund—later renamedSouthwest Initiative Foundation—to help struggling communities, nonprofits,businesses and families.Elroy and NitaBurgeson: HumbleService and SupportSince 1960, Elroy and Nita Burgeson have madeGranite Falls their home. But their leadership reachesfar beyond this community, especially through Elroy’scontributions as one of the Southwest InitiativeFoundation’s founders and their ongoing support ofsouthwest Minnesota.“What amazes me is we were a part of something that turned out to be so importantfor southwest Minnesota,” Elroy said, referencing that SWIF has distributed over$54 million through grants and loans, saved or created hundreds of jobs, andimproved the quality of life in the region. “From a humble beginning, it grew tosomething beyond our imagination. I often wonder what southwest Minnesotawould be like today without the existence of SWIF.”Besides serving on SWIF’s Board of Directors, Elroy chuckles as he recalls beingpresident of almost everything in town. He also served on the city council and asmayor. Nita made time while raising children to work in retail and real estate whilebeing active in the Jaycees, church and Cub Scouts.“We try to give back—not that we’re rich,” Elroy said. “I just don’t think that’s anexcuse not to give. I know it’s important. We should try to help if we can.”Elroy and Nita have been faithful donors to SWIF’s General Endowment, whichsupports work throughout the region. After the Granite Falls Area CommunityFoundation, one of SWIF’s 22 community foundation partners, formed in 2009,they supported their local endowment as well.Both seem to agree they’ve lived by a ‘get involved, give a little’ attitude. Communityaside, they fondly remember family trips to the Black Hills, Yellowstone NationalPark, visits to a brother in California and time spent fishing in the river, all of whichmake them seem so much like other southwest Minnesota families.While they remain humble—minus Nita claiming her husband can laugh harderthan anyone—we know this family’s generous leadership and contributions havemade a lasting impact.Southwest Initiative Foundation13