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Storm Lake couple to head Bishop’s Dinner

By Rosemary Bernth
Globe staff reporter

Dr. Troy and Grace Ivey of Storm Lake are this year’s chaircouple for the 14th Annual Bishop’s Dinner to be held on Oct. 10.

“We’re really honored and it’s a privilege to be involved in the Bishop’s Dinner,” said Troy. “We’re very excited.”

Troy has been a general surgeon in Storm Lake for 16 years. Grace used to be in the business field with off-shore merchandising, but now is a part-time assistant to the Buena Vista University athletic director.

Both said they believe Catholic schools are the right choice for a good education, especially for their family.

“We feel it develops a real strong respect in our children as well as the core values that they need as they go on in life,” said Troy.

“It’s a better environment for learning when you can take those teachable moments to talk about God, what’s right and wrong and the morals and ethics that go along with a solid education,” added Grace. “It reinforces what we try to tell our children at home and I know they’re getting that same exposure when they go off to school every day.”

According to Kristie Arlt, diocesan director of communications and stewardship, the Iveys’ strong passion for Catholic schools was one of the deciding factors in the selecting process.

“They were a very easy decision based on their deep Catholic faith, their commitment to Catholic schools, their commitment to their own children to provide them a Catholic education and a Catholic upbringing,” said Arlt. “After reading their resume and meeting them, it was obvious that they are a great choice to represent the Bishop’s Dinner this year.”

“We’ve heard so many good things about them and meeting with them I can see they are absolutely dedicated to Catholic schools and Catholic education,” said Bishop R. Walker Nickless. “They really want to help the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City and especially their own in Storm Lake. They are very impressive and a very dedicated couple.”

The Iveys are literally willing to go the distance to help Catholic schools. Troy has decided to use his running abilities to raise money for St. Mary’s in Storm Lake.

“He’s doing 50 marathons in 50 states,” said Grace. “At the time, he was on the school board and as he’s running around the lake he thought ‘why not do this as a fundraiser?’”

The fundraiser now involves Troy finishing the marathons before he turns 50. He has already completed 29 and has sponsors, with all of the proceeds going to the school.

As chaircouple, the Iveys help with the fundraising and décor for the event, along with giving a speech about why having a Catholic education is important, said Arlt.

“They can give me some leads on who might be good sponsors because the whole night is not only about putting a spotlight on Catholic education and awarding our teachers, administrators and people who work in schools, but also to give the schools a leg-up, to raise some money to try to help them out,” said Arlt. “Budgets are usually tight and our schools need funds.”

The Iveys said they are ready to handle any responsibilities assigned to them.

“We’re willing to accept any responsibilities they entrust with us,” said Troy. “We want to be fully involved. We’re passionate about it and we really trust and enjoy Catholic education and Catholic schools. We’re willing to be as involved as they want us to be.”

Bishop Nickless said the dinner is a wonderful experience to support a good education system.

“Catholic schools are important in our diocese and this is a great show of support,” said the bishop. “It’s always a fun event and always something that does a great amount of good for our schools.”

Bishop's Dinner
The Bishop’s Dinner will be held Oct. 10 at the Sioux City Convention Center. The guest speaker will be Father Joe Krupp. Tickets go on sale Aug. 23 and are $125, with $80 of each ticket going to Catholic schools. They can be bought through the diocesan office. More information can be found on the Sioux City Diocese website.