Family of the late Mower County judge Michael Seibel joined others Monday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the center named in his honor.

The Michael H. Seibel Family Visitation and Exchange Center in Austin has been helping families dealing with domestic violence, divorce and other family challenges for the past year. More than 160 families have utilized the center since its opening, which has equated to roughly 1,300 hours of service.

Owned and operated by the local Parenting Resource Center, the Seibel center relies on county and federal funding, as well as grants, to allow parents to visit their children or make safe exchanges with the other parent.

A $10,000 chunk of that funding was in jeopardy recently, but the Mower County board decided against the cut a week ago — another reason for the center to celebrate.

Director Heather Steinkamp said she was surprised and relieved that the cut — which would have affected about 25 percent of the center’s caseload — didn’t come.

“I had no idea at all (what to expect in cuts),” she said. “I did know we had a lot of community support.”

That community support was evident Monday as a number of people came out for an open house.

Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelsen said she didn’t think one could “overstate the importance” of the center.

“This place is wonderful,” she added, noting that it really helps kids caught in sometimes messy legal situations.

Two other special guests were also in attendance — Rosalie and Linda Seibel.

Rosalie Seibel was Michael Seibel’s mother, and she said her son was a “kind and loving” man who gave a lot back to his community.

“I’m so proud (that the center was named after him),” Rosalie Seibel said. “I just wish he was here to see it.”

She said his outlook on life was molded by a quadriplegic father — who gave his son courage, Rosalie Seibel said — and a high school athletic career in which the smaller Michael Seibel often went up against bigger, stronger athletes.

“He was hard working,” she said, “(and) had great determination.”

Michael Seibel died in 2000 at age 49 of kidney cancer, but Linda Seibel said it was great to see his name and legacy live on.

“It meant a lot to us,” she said of learning the center would be named after her late husband. “I was honored.”

In addition to family of Michael Seibel, one woman came to celebrate what the center has meant for her own family.

Robin, whose last name is not being used due to the personal nature of her situation, has been using the center since last September.

She said her 4-year-old daughter is visited by her father every other Saturday at the Seibel center.

“I love this facility,” Robin said. “It’s so secure. I don’t worry about her.”