Mark Pregler, manager of Echo Lanes, declared Sunday’s "Bowling For Boomer" fundraiser "the biggest ever.

Monday, September 27, 1999

Mark Pregler, manager of Echo Lanes, declared Sunday’s "Bowling For Boomer" fundraiser "the biggest ever."

"I’ve done a lot of benefits and fundraisers through the years and this is the biggest one yet," he said Sunday afternoon.

Echo Lanes bowling alleys and the Twister Lounge were crowded with relatives and friends of Robert "Boomer" Scott, a victim of brain cancer, who is terminally ill.

The fundraiser was organized by Terese (Mrs. Daryl) Gullickson and other friends of Scott and his wife, Mert.

At press-time today, the totals raised at the Echo Lanes activities and a chili supper afterwards at the Austin Eagles Club were still undetermined.

But, judging by the attendance and enthusiasm, friends and supporters of Boomer came through generously.

"It’s great," said Boomer Sunday afternoon, "I didn’t ask for it, but I appreciate everything that’s being done."

Last July, Scott suffered the first of two heart attacks at work at Farmland Industries, Albert Lea. During the next 72 hours of treatment, first at Naeve Hospital, Albert Lea, and then Austin Medical Center in Austin and finally, St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, he would suffer a second heart attack and receive more bad news.

A CT scan revealed brain cancer and further examinations revealed the cancer had spread throughout his body. With his wife, Mert, a Mower County jailer, and other relatives and friends gathered, doctors said there was no hope and the illness was terminal.

A radiation treatment would be done, but its results in stopping the growths were negative.

The idea for a fund-raiser was that of Brooke, 19, the youngest of six children of Boomer and Mert Scott from two marriages. She went to Gullickson, a close family friend, and "Aunt Terese" as she is called organized other friends into action.

Over 500 "Bowling for Boomer" T-shirts were sold and Sunday’s events organized at Echo Lanes, where both husband and wife are regular league bowlers.

Chris and Jim Housel, Kansas City, Mo., were among the relatives having fun and helping one of their own. "He’s a real fun-loving person, very caring and compassionate," said Chris. "and a wonderful grandfather, too."

Mrs. Housel said her first cousin, Mert, has "always been a strong person, who has met plenty of challenges head-on."

Stephanie, one of the daughters of Boomer and Mert, who are called "Peanut Butter and Jelly," because of their close relationship, said, "He’s my step-dad, but he’s been more of a dad to me than any dad I ever had. He lives for his kids and grand kids."

Laurella, another daughter, said seeing the sea of white "Bowling for Boomer" T-shirt-clad relatives and friends was "Deja vu for me. This happened once before to me to my mom and all I can say is you have to take it one day at a time when it’s something as bad as cancer."

Brooke, another daughter, said, "It’s just overwhelming to see so many people."

Jenna, another daughter, said, "It’s wonderful. We appreciate it so much. I’m just happy he’s my dad."

David Scott, a brother, said, "The Boomer taught me how to play football, bowling, baseball and everything. He’s a very courageous guy."

Boomer’s father, Max, also bowled in the special tournament held Sunday. "My wife, Liz, and I think he’s a wonderful son and a very brave man, too."

While her husband, Daryl, ran a pool tournament to help raise funds for the cancer victim, Terese Gullickson supervised the crafts and baked goods sales and other events going on in the background.

"It’s overwhelming. It’s bigger and better than I ever expected," she said. The Gullicksons’ children, Sam, 15, and Hannah, 12, also bowled for Boomer’s fund-raiser Sunday.

"Seeing so many friends and relatives all in one place at one time for Boomer is just incredible," Gullickson said.