The Bambery Family

Jerry & Marilu Bambery, Colleen VanBlarcom & Keri Solheid

The Bambery family’s commitment to Catholic, Christ-centered education long predates their involvement with Loyola. Having attended Catholic schools themselves, Jerry and Marilu Bambery were aware of the benefits of a Catholic education, and ensured that their children also received a Christ-centered education that taught the importance of giving back to others.

In 1985, Jerry and Marilu moved to the Mankato community and it made sense and felt right to continue their support of Catholic education by investing in the Loyola community, giving of their time, talent, and treasure. When two of their children, Colleen (Rick) VanBlarcom and Keri (Dan) Solheid, moved to Mankato to help with their family business, the two sisters saw the passion their parents had for Loyola and community service and quickly became involved in the school community as parents, volunteers and visionary leaders.

Both Colleen and Keri can be credited for participating in some of the most successful events and aspects of our school community that have stood the test of time and are still part of the fabric of Loyola. Colleen helped create Loyola’s successful Wired to the Heart gala which is still going strong in its twentieth year. Next came the Lucky 20 raffle, which continues to grow each and every year as well.  

Colleen and Keri’s talents were not just focused on fundraising at Loyola. Both had active roles on various committees, with Keri spearheading the opening of the Loyola Spirit Shop. 

The Bambery family’s commitment to serve and inspire service in others continues to allow the school to serve more students and increase the impact on the broader community. “The need will always be there,” said Colleen. “That is why we continue to give back after our children have graduated. Children need to be able to talk about Jesus and Loyola gives them that.”

“We saw the needs and helped to find solutions,” said Keri. “It’s important to us to lead by example and by doing what’s needed to get the job done. We are all called to serve.”

The Bamberys continue to stay connected to Loyola in many different ways. When asked what Loyola means to the Mankato community, Colleen responded, "We are all put on this earth to do good and help others. This is what our parents taught us and showed us by example. The real value of Loyola is helping to ground our children in those principles.”