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Knights elect new state deputy

By Rosemary Bernth
Globe staff reporter
(Email Rosemary)

Michael Laake of Estherville has recently been installed as state deputy for the Iowa Knights of Columbus.

“When we look at today’s society, there are many things that influence our lives,” said Laake. “With those distractions, it’s hard to keep ourselves pointed in the direction of our faith. The Knights of Columbus is a great way to stay pointed in our faith. That’s part of why I became active with the Knights.”

Laake joined the organization in 1994 after being asked several times. It wasn’t until his son died of cancer that he finally became a member.

“After Joey died, I started to understand better my faith and the commitment we have to others,” he said. So on the twelfth time that I was asked to join, I said ‘yes’ and have enjoyed every minute of my time as a Knight of Columbus.”

As the state deputy, Laake is responsible for all the state meetings, conventions, how the budget is spent and promoting the ideals of Father McGivney, who founded the organization – charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

“Doing that with an organization of almost 32,000 men is quite a job,” he said. “There are a lot of things to keep track of, to keep rolling. You’re the chief executive officer of the Iowa Knights of Columbus.”

Laake said two important aspects of the Knights of Columbus are the insurance program developed by Father McGivney to have families receive money after the breadwinner died and the recruitment of new members.

“Our average loss to the roving angel of death is 600 members a year,” he said. “So if you combine that with people who wish to leave because of circumstances with their personal lives, we have a loss of roughly 800 men a year. To maintain a positive growth, we have to bring in a minimum of 800 a year.”

While membership is important, Laake said the Knights of Columbus are so much more because what makes them stand out is that they are “a Catholic, fraternal men’s service organization.”

“It’s an opportunity to grow in your faith and grow in your own family,” said Laake. “It’s an opportunity to grow in something bigger than yourself because you’re helping others. You tell me what better example a man can set for his children than to be a member of the Knights of Columbus?”

Laake was a Grand Knight from 1999-2000, district deputy from 2001-2005, earned top 10 honors in 2004, and was the former state secretary. He is from the Knight of Columbus Council No. 2021 in Estherville.