Officers

Jorgen Yde left a lasting impression on those lucky enough to have known him. To help make his dream of curing pediatric cancers a reality, the Jorgen Yde (JY6) Foundation is blessed to have a team of passionate, committed leaders. Since the foundation was established in 2011, this small dedicated team of JY6 Foundation officers has created numerous events and outreach activities to raise funds to support pediatric cancer research and raise awareness of leukemia and childhood cancers. Meet the team behind the JY6 Foundation.

Dane Yde

Co-Founder/ Chief Executive Officer

Dane is Jorgen’s older brother and co-founder of the JY6 Foundation. He currently owns and operates the family business, Sioux Valley Environmental, that was started by his father in 1978 in their hometown, Renner, SD. Dane completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics and Business Administration at Augustana College and pursued his master’s degree in Economics at South Dakota State University. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Harrisburg Baseball Association and the South Dakota High School Baseball Association. Dane is married to his beautiful wife, Anna Yde, a proud cancer survivor and neonatal nurse practitioner. They have a three year old son named Thomas, and a newborn son named Jack that keep them very busy. Dane enjoys playing baseball in the summer for the Renner Rangers Amateur team, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Katrina Yde

Co-Founder/Chief Operations Officer

Katrina is Jorgen’s older sister and co-founder of the JY6 Foundation. She completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Sioux Falls and her masters degree in clinical mental health counseling at the University of South Dakota. Katrina works in private practice as a mental health and addictions therapist. When she’s not working, you can find her working out, solving crossword puzzles, or volunteering. Katrina’s favorite memories with Jorgen are listening to 80s rock, ice cream runs, baseball games, and working out together. Katrina is proud to carry out Jorgens wishes to help others who are battling cancer and keep his memory alive while doing so.

Peter Hauck

Chief Development Officer

Peter Hauck is a friend of Jorgen, the Assistant Director at Prairie Family Business Association, and the founder of Rink Rabbit. He holds an undergraduate degree in communications, mass communications, and management from the University of Minnesota. Peter joined the team at the JY6 Foundation because of the incredible impact that Jorgen’s friendship had on his life and his own desire to fight back against the pediatric leukemia that took that friendship away. In the gaps between working and talking about business ownership, you’ll find Peter spending time with his beautiful wife and daughter (Alicen and April), enjoying a good beer, cheering on the Gophers, or some combination of those three.

Megan Larsen

Fundraising Events Coordinator

Megan has provided support to the event planning side of the JY6 Foundation since 2017. Being one of Jorgen’s #1 fans in the baseball stands, she developed into “honorary Godmother”; so it was only natural she gained an official title with the Foundation. She attended both USF and SDSU with a basis in Consumer Affairs- which projected her facilitation and love for helping others into her career move to real estate. Outside of work, you can find Megan soaking up sun on any golf course or avidly cheering on the loves of her life; the Chicago Cubs.

Myranda Thoen

Chief Administrative Officer

Myranda serves as the Operations Manager for Sioux Valley Environmental and joined the JY6 Team in the fall of 2020 in the same capacity. She has loved being part of the foundation’s mission! She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Sioux Falls with degrees in Business Administration and Marketing. Myranda enjoys hiking, playing tennis, traveling to new places, doing photography, and spending time with family and friends. 

Liz Blasius

Administrative Executive

Liz serves as the Human Resources & Digital Marketing Director for Regal Chlorinators and joined the JY6 Team in the summer of 2013. She serves as a team member and provides support to the event planning committee. Liz is a graduate of the Bachelor of Consumer Affairs program with a minor in Business Administration and Interior Design at South Dakota State University. Go Jacks! She also has a passion for health and fitness and opened a gym in Sioux Falls with her sister in the summer of 2018. Liz is married to her wonderful husband, Weston, and together they have 3 children; Grant (10), Brooks (8) and Josie (2). She loves spending time with her family and enjoys watching her boys play baseball, football and wrestle for the O'Gorman Youth Wrestling Club.

Molly Kuehl

DNP, Officer Emeritus

Molly Kuehl, DNP, APRN, CNP, specializes in women’s health, including obstetrics and gynecology at Sanford Health. She joined the JY6 efforts in January of 2012 as JY6 Event Coordinator to help plan the 1st Annual Nurse’s Dinner. Following the first two years of the foundation, Molly was named Chief Development Officer to help oversee all fundraising efforts and served in that role until 2021. Molly remains very engaged in the JY6 efforts as an officer emeritus. She was awarded the JY6 Angel Award at the 10th Annual Nurses Dinner and a scholarship was started in her honor at her alma mater to assist future nursing students for years to come. Molly is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing Program and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at South Dakota State University. She is married to her wonderful husband Josh, and they have son Walter, daughter Pearl, and a dog named Hemi. In her free time, Molly enjoys spending time on the family farm with her horse, hunting, fishing, camping, and reading.