During the month of July, Minster Bank employees raised funds for the Nate Niekamp Memorial Fund through the bank’s Casual for a Cause initiative. The donation reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

The Nate Niekamp Memorial Fund was established in memory of Nate Niekamp, the son of Minster Bank Credit Manager Cheryl Niekamp. Nate was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer as a high school freshman in 2018. Before his diagnosis, Nate was a talented football and basketball player who loved being active and competing.

Following his treatment, Nate lost feeling and movement in his foot and was no longer able to participate in the sports he loved. His family encouraged him to try golf, and he joined the golf team during his junior year. Nate quickly found a new passion for the sport and excelled on the course. Golf became something he looked forward to and an important part of his life.

Nate lost his battle with cancer in August 2022. In his memory, the Nate Niekamp Memorial Fund was created to give back to local families facing challenges similar to those Nate and his family experienced. The fund provides donations to local families with children battling cancer and other medical issues. It also provides two scholarships to senior golfers participating in the annual Nate Niekamp Invitational, helping carry on Nate’s love for the sport while supporting the next generation of student-athletes.

Funds raised through Minster Bank’s Casual for a Cause initiative will directly support the Nate Niekamp Memorial Fund and its efforts to assist local families and honor Nate’s legacy. Through Casual for a Cause, employees dress casually on designated days in exchange for a donation, giving employees an opportunity to come together in support of meaningful causes in the communities we serve.

Minster Bank is grateful for the opportunity to support Cheryl and the Niekamp family and to honor Nate’s memory through our Casual for a Cause initiative.