IOLA – A new permanent floating fishing pier was installed late last month at Veterans Memorial Park along Lake Iola, the result of a community fundraising campaign spearheaded by American Legion Sheveland-Taylor Post 14.
Holly Neumann, a retired staff reporter for the Waupaca County Post, led the project to carry out an idea she and local veteran and Legion member Lyle Mork had discussed before his death last year.
“I actually initially approached him with the idea of the fishing pier and he agreed it would be a good addition to the park,” Neumann said. “He passed away last May, so I kind of felt like I had to carry that through since he thought it was a good idea to have it there.”
Neumann said Mork was very invested in the park. As a member of Post 14, he led efforts to honor area veterans at the park, including researching the veterans whose names are displayed there. His dedication to preserving local history and honoring veterans was recognized by the village in 2024, when the Iola Village Board proclaimed June 24 as Lyle Mork Day.
“He was in charge of all the improvements and he did that job with pride,” Neumann said. “Just to carry on a little part of what he wanted for the park became important to me.”
Mork also established the Legion’s annual “Pie in the Park” fundraiser, making it especially meaningful that the pier was completed in time for this year’s event Aug. 29.
Neumann led the fundraising campaign to meet the $25,000 cost of the pier. Drawing on her background as a storyteller, she said she used a mailing list from the Legion to reach potential donors and launch the campaign last November.
The response from the Iola community and surrounding areas was immediate. Within just four months, nearly all the funding had been secured.
The project drew more than 55 donors from across Wisconsin and as far away as South Carolina, where an active-duty service member who grew up in Iola sent in a contribution. A major early boost came in Feb. 2026 with a $5,000 grant from the Krause Foundation.
Waupaca County Opportunities stepped in to cover the remaining balance and funded several additions, including two benches, rod holders and a permanent donor plaque.
“I’m shocked by the generosity of the local people and the people outside of the community,” Neumann said. “It went much more quickly than I anticipated. Every single person who donated deserves credit for this; they made it possible.”
The floating pier features a 20-foot gangway and a 10-by-20-foot platform positioned about 17 feet from the shoreline. Tony Nellis of Supreme Docks & Lifts helped design the modular floating structure so that it requires no ongoing maintenance.
Unlike standard docks, the floating pier does not need to be removed before winter. As Lake Iola freezes, Neumann said the rising ice will naturally push the adjustable platform upward.
Originally planned for completion by Memorial Day weekend, the project was delayed by unexpected permitting requirements. Post 14 secured the final permits on July 3, allowing the pier to be ordered. Workers completed the four-hour installation on Aug. 26.
Though the pier has only been in the water for a short time, local residents are already making use of the new lake access.
“We were out there the other day, and there was a grandpa out there fishing with his little grandson, and they were catching some really nice bluegills off of there,” Neumann said. “The grandpa looked at me and said, ‘This helps make some beautiful memories.’ Those things make the project worth it.”
The pier also offers a place to enjoy the lake without ever picking up a fishing pole. Neumann recalled one local veteran who had never fished before but said he planned to sit on the pier just to enjoy the peace of nature.
Post 14 recently approved a permanent donor plaque for the pier, which is expected to arrive by early October. A community dedication ceremony will be held once the plaque is installed.
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