Chicago, IL - The Polish Museum of America has announced that Donald V. Versen and his wife, Joan, will be honored as the recipients of the prestigious 2003 “Polish Spirit Award” which will be presented at the Museum’s Summer Ball on Friday, June 20th.

Mr. & Mrs. Donald V. Versen

The Ball will take place at the Rosewood Banquets, 9241 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL. The Silent Auction will begin at 6:00 pm - followed by cocktails at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:30 pm. Tickets $125.00 per person. Music will be provided by the Anthony Kawalkowski Orchestra. For reservations, call Alice at 773-782-2610 days or Arlene evenings at 773-631-0785 evenings.

Donald V. Versen Sr. was appointed Vice Chairman and CEO of Labe Bank in 1999. Before joining Labe Bank, Mr. Versen, a veteran Chicago banker, held the position of Vice Chairman and Director of LaSalle N.A. He was also President and Chief Operating Officer at Columbia National Bank of Chicago, President and CEO at The Cosmopolitan National Bank in Chicago, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative and Chief Operating Officer at Bank of Commerce & Industry, and Vice President at the Colonial Bank and Trust Company.

As CEO of Labe Bank, he helps direct the development and growth of Labe Bank. Through his leadership, he strengthens the bank’s presence in the diverse local community surrounding the institution.

Highly regarded on the national level, Mr. Versen has participated in several White House functions including the Roundtable on Peace and NATO membership for Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia; a Midwest Region Economic Conference for Eastern and Central Europe; and President Clinton’s trip to Warsaw to announce Partnership for Peace and NATO membership for Poland.

Mr. Versen is a graduate of DePaul University and the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He volunteers for numerous local, civic, cultural, commercial, religious, governmental, social service and health organizations. He also holds the position of Director and Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committees of Resurrection Health Care System, Director of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association; Treasurer of Ridgemoor Country Club; and he is a member of the American Polish Advisory Council; Polish Roman Catholic Union of America where he served as Chairman of the Budget & Grievance Committee (1998-2002) and Chairman of the 55th National Convention in 1990; Illinois Bankers Association of which he is Past President; Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance; Polish American
Medical Foundation, Polish American Enterprise Fund, Polish American Leadership Initiative; The Polish Museum of America, and Past Chairman of the State Treasurer’s Banking Advisory Board, plus many other activities and organizations.
Mr. Versen served as Chairman of the 1994 PMA Summer Ball.

Donald Versen is the son of Stella Versen, who is now 92, and the late Vincent (Sam) Versen. He grew up on the South side of Chicago in the McKinley Park area and attended SS. Peter and Paul Church and School and Holy Trinity High School before entering DePaul University. His father was very active in the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, having served as National Treasurer, Secretary General and Director for over twenty-five years. His parents instilled in him a strong family foundation that created life values that the Versens strongly believe in.

Don is married to Joan (nee Berg), the daughter of the late Wilfred and Thorene Berg. Joan, an only child, was born on the Northwest side of Chicago and attended St. Ferdinand Church and School, Cardinal Stritch High School and Wright Junior College.

Joan and Don met while working at Colonial Bank on Chicago’s Northwest side, from which Joan retired and Don went on to serve in various capacities at several other financial institutions. The Versens will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary on July 4th. . It is a partnership with Joan primarily raising the family and keeping the "home fires burning" while Don was working in the "spirit"getting involved in the community and volunteer activities. Since both Don and Joan are their parents’ only child, they wanted to have a larger family and achieved their wish: the Versens have four children and seven grandchildren. They now live in an unincorporated area of Cook County in the Niles and Des Plaines area.

Not only have the Versens taken an active part in the life of their community as well as the Polish American
community, but they have also generously donated their time, effort, energy and financial support toward numerous charitable causes.

Congratulations from the PRCUA on this well-deserved honor! Everyone is invited to attend the Ball and extend their congratulations to the Versens in person. For an invitation or reservations, please call Alice at 773-782-2610 days or Arlene evenings at 773-631-0785 evenings.

[Reprinted with permission from Narod Polski, May 26, 2003.]