Program continues with mission following her absence
The Clay County PALS mentorship program experienced a great sorrow with the sudden passing of Eileen Gengler, our longtime president of the board of directors, on Monday, January 10, 2022.
Gengler stood at the helm of the PALS organization for more than 10 years, joyfully leading the board of directors, mentors, and children in our mission to serve youngsters in need of a friend within our community. She had recently spent an evening with the board members during their monthly meeting prior to her death, making plans for winter events and programming. Her sudden passing was a shock to all.
“Mrs. G”, as she was known throughout Spencer, served as a guidance counselor at Spencer High School for many years, touching many students’ lives until her retirement in 2016. She was currently serving as a substitute teacher for the district at the time of her death as well as representative on the Clay County Foster Care Review Board and the PALS Board of Directors.
She loved working with children; PALS was the perfect outlet to express her care and concern for them.
“Eileen’s retirement proved more of an occassion for ‘refirement’ than ‘retirement’ if you ask the PALS Board members. We found her full of fun ideas and energy, always engaging with the children with a twinkle in her eye and an eagerness to serve,” said Susan Chritsensen, PALS Coordinator. “She also carried sage advice that we all had come to rely upon. A light has gone out within our community with the loss of Eileen. We’re simply devestated in this loss. She was greatly loved and forever cherished; it’s a sorrow to say goodbye. I’m personally grateful for each day she served as our PALS president, impacting the lives of the children in our program and beyond.”
PALS will continue with its mission, matching children from single-family homes ages 6-16 with adult mentors of the same-sex adult who live within the county.
The board intends to fill Gengler’s vacant seat in the near future.