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Officer Biographies
LEE C. PRENTICE POST #36
Steve Fosness, Post Commander
Steve is third generation military and honorably served, as an NCO, in the U.S. Army from 1972-1976 with the 4th Infantry Division- 19th Military Police Battalion- 4th Military Police Company and with SRM Safeguard Command.
He is a 50 year life-member of the American Legion and serves as Commander of Lee C Prentice Post 36-Fairmont, Second District Past Commander, Second District Finance Officer, and on several District, Department , and National Committees.
Kathy, his wife of 52 years, and Steve have three children; Karina, Andrea, Steven, and 14 grandchildren. Son Steven, Iraq Veteran, is currently serving, as a senior NCO with the 39th Infantry Engineer Brigade-Arkansas with over 22 years service. Grandson Noah, 5th generation military, is serving, as a senior Air Traffic Controller, with the U.S. Air Force 366th Fighter Wing-Mountain Home AFB Idaho; his wife, Sarah, also serves as a U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controller in the same unit.
Steve retired in 2018 as an International Organizer with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Ken Ringeisen, Post Adjutant
I joined the M.A.R.N.G. in March of 1972 at St James MN, 1-125 Field Artillary 155 Howitzer towed. Basic training at Fort Campbell KY in May & June 1970. AIT Fort Sill, OK July & August 1970. Transferred to Fairmont CSC 2-135 in 1972.
I was in the HQ PLT for 2 AT's one a winter camp. Then was transferred to the A-T-106 Raceless PLT for 1 AT. I then transferred to the Scout Platoon where I eventually became the PSG-E-7.
In 1990 I transferred to Mankato HQ 2-135 and retired in March of 1993.
James Hardt, SAL Commaneder
I enlisted in the Mn. National Guard in February 1976 and attended Basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri and the Infantry school at Ft. Benning Ga. Upon returning to Minnesota I was assigned to the Combat Support Company 2/135/47th Inf Fairmont as a Scout Plt. M-60 gunner. I was part of the Norwegian exchange {Nortec 11) in 1983. I Went NCO school and Winter Operations school, was part of the cadre of that school. On unit reorganization in 92 I was assigned to HHC- and a 19Delta section leader and was also both the Unit retention NCO and Chemical Dependency NCO. I retired in late 1996, transferring to the U.S. Army retired reserve until reaching mandatory retirement.
As a civilian. As my father was a WWII Veteran and an active member of both The American Legion and VFW and brought mee to many post functions were I learned the importance of Veterans helping Veterans. “Being The One”. As a single parent I coached CER girls summer softball (10+ years) , Maintenance foreman for Stokley Van Camp/Untied foods, A Journeyman Electrician with the IBEW local Union 343. After leaving construction I worked for Nestle Food and Hy-Vee. Today, helping Veterans and their families are a major priority.
Rev. Cory Germain, Chaplain
Chaplain Cory Germain has been a member of Post 36 since moving to Fairmont in late 2016 to serve as the pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ. He immediately began serving alongside Post Chaplain Gene Borchardt until Gene’s untimely passing in March of 2020. Cory also serves as the Second District Chaplain for the Minnesota American Legion.
In addition to his church and post, Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Cory Germain continues his military service as the Wing Chaplain of the Air National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Chaplain Germain is a native of Winnebago, Minnesota and is endorsed by Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies. He has served as a civilian pastor to churches in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and United Church of Christ denominations. Chaplain Germain first enlisted in the Army in November of 1995 as a Percussion Player and served on Active Duty for nearly ten years. He was commissioned as a Chaplain Candidate, Second Lieutenant, in the Army Reserve in 2006 and became an Army Reserve Chaplain in 2008. He transferred to the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2012, and most recently transferred to the Minnesota Air National Guard in July of 2020.
Jeff Schultz, Finance Officer
Jeffrey S. Schultz, MSgt, USAF Retired
Born: 24 September 1959, Fairmont, Minnesota
Jeff Schultz is a 5th-generation American from Martin County, Minnesota. His great-great-grandfather immigrated from northern Germany in the 1870s and broke sod at his homestead in Fox Lake Township near Creek Lake.
Jeff did not finish high school but earned his high school equivalency and enlisted in the United States Air Force at 17 years old in October 1977. After boot camp and technical school for aircraft maintenance, he was stationed at Tyndall AFB, Florida, where he was assigned as an F-106 Crew Chief.
While stationed at Tyndall, Jeff married Jodi M. Wentzell of Worcester, Massachusetts. After their first son was born, they received orders to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where their second son was born. There, Jeff was assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron working with the F-4E.
His next assignment was at Beale AFB, California, with the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, where he crewed U-2R and SR-71 aircraft. In June 1989, Jeff was assigned to Royal Air Force Base Alconbury, England, with the 17th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and the U-2R program. During this time, the first Gulf War broke out, and Jeff was temporarily reassigned to Military Police/Security Forces.
Following the conclusion of initial Gulf War operations, Jeff and his family were transferred to Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. There, he served with the 8th Air Force, 28th Heavy Bombardment Squadron (B-1B), as Crew Chief of aircraft 860114. He finished his active duty career as a B-1B Flight Line Production Superintendent and retired on 30 September 2001 after 24 years of service.
After retirement, Jeff transitioned to the Department of Defense, supporting international programs for the AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile. In this role, he provided field operations support for allied partners and traveled to 23 different nations. His work primarily focused on Israel, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and Canada.
Jeff retired from federal service in June 2020 and returned to Fairmont, Minnesota, with his wife, Jodi. He retired at the GS-13 level, with a combined total of 37 years of service between active duty and the Department of Defense.
Decorations and Awards:
Meritorious Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal (x2)
Expeditionary Forces Medal
U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor (for action during the First Gulf War)