She was bogged down with loads of homework on the day she found out.
After spending hours studying, Katie Landen checked her phone to find a missed text message from her mom, Patty Landen: Call me right away.
Never did Katie imagine the news she would receive.
On that day several months ago, she was told she would be crowned the 115th queen of Ak-Sar-Ben.
And until now, Katie and her family had to keep the honor secret.
Saturday night, Katie was recognized for her accomplishments, along with her family's history of leadership and service, at the elegant Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball at CenturyLink Center Omaha.
Mary Catherine "Katie" Landen, daughter of Patty and C.L. Landen III, is a junior at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., studying business finance with concentrations in family business strategies and international business. This spring, she plans to apply for early admittance to the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Her father is senior executive vice president of Security National Bank and president of the Security National Bank Holding Co. Katie's grandfather, C.L. Landen Jr., started the bank in 1964. It now has 14 locations.
Katie's mom, Patty, owns Kaluke Sales and Custom Printing, a small custom screen-print, embroidery and promotional products company.
At school, Katie is a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority and volunteers with a nonprofit organization that provides prom gowns to high school girls in the Twin Cities area.
In Omaha, she has volunteered for the Salvation Army, Open Door Mission, American Red Cross and Methodist Hospital and has worked as a counselor at a camp for kids with diabetes.
And, at age 21, she's the board chairwoman of M&M Foundation, her family's charitable giving program. The foundation was set up by Katie's grandparents, Mary and C.L. Landen Jr.
Two or three times a year, Katie and her 17 cousins get together and pick a charity or service project to fund. Katie's favorite donation is the college scholarship program through Girls Inc. that is named in honor of Mary Landen.
Katie said she learned at home the meaning of service to others.
"One thing my family has shown me is give back to the community and be part of it as a whole," Katie said. "It's made a really big impact on me."
Katie's parents said serving others is a tradition that started with their parents and grandparents.
C.L. Landen Jr. was chairman of Security National Bank of Omaha, and Mary Landen served as a board member for many community groups, including Girls Inc., Children's Hospital and the Joslyn Art Museum.
In 1998, the entire Landen family received the Salvation Army Others Award.
It seemed only natural that Katie's parents pass the value of helping others down to their children.
"We've watched our parents give back to our communities in different ways," Patty Landen said. "Our sisters and brothers and now our children give back to their communities."
Katie's father graduated from Denver University with a degree in business. After graduation, he moved back to Omaha, where he began working at Security National Bank. He is president of the Landen Foundation and has served on boards for the Nebraska Bankers Association, Nebraska Methodist Hospital and Nebraska College of Nursing.
He also has been involved in the capital campaign for United Way of the Midlands.
Landen said he's looking forward to his daughter's Ak-Sar-Ben reign.
"It's going to be really fun to be part of it for the next year and see the great things the community can do together," he said. "There are so many great people involved."
The former Patty DiBaise graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and later obtained her Nebraska real estate license. She is on the board for the Clarkson Service League and the Munroe Meyer Big Splash planning committee. She is a volunteer and past board member with the Omaha Symphony Guild and a member of the Uta Halee Girls Village Jingle Team. She has served on the Clarkson Service League, Omaha Symphony Guild and Junior League of Omaha.
She also has been president of the College of St. Mary Women's Council, a board member for the Women's Center for Advancement and a board member of Camp Fire USA.
Patty's grandfather immigrated to Omaha from Italy in 1921. Patty's father, John DiBaise, owned and operated Home Services in Crete, Neb., and Millard Ace Hardware. Patty's mother, Katie DiBaise, owned and operated a clothing store. The couple were involved at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church.
Patty and C.L. III met at a wedding in Omaha. Patty knew the bride's sister, and C.L. III knew the bride's brother.
The siblings had planned for the couple to meet. They hit it off and started dating shortly after.
The Landen family has deep roots in Ak-Sar-Ben.
Katie's great-grandfather, the late Clarence Landen Sr., was Ak-Sar-Ben king in 1953. Her grandmother, Mary Shirley Landen, has served on the Women's Ball Committee and was named to the Court of Honor in 1996.
Katie's aunt, Shirley Landen Huerter, was Ak-Sar-Ben queen in 1977.
Seeing Katie reign as queen this year is particularly exciting for her grandfather, C.L. Landen Jr.
"It's a very great honor for our family," he said. "Our family has the kind of kids that you'll never hear any whining about doing something to help other members of the family. They're a bunch of great, wonderful people."
Katie's siblings, Louis, a senior at Creighton Prep, and Kelly, a sophomore at Marian High School, have been pages and train bearers.
In 1998, Katie was a page and train bearer for queen Sarah Bay Yale.
"I just remember thinking she was the most amazing person ever. She seemed like she was famous. She seemed like such a lady and she was so beautiful," Katie said. "Never would I guess that would be me some day."
When she's not studying, Katie works as an assistant in the St. Thomas University Office of Development. She also enjoys spending time with her family in Omaha and at their home at Lake Okoboji. Katie and her dad enjoy running and have run two marathons in Minneapolis together. She hopes to one day complete an Iron Man competition, a long-distance triathlon race.
Katie said she's privileged to reign as queen.
"It's such an honor to represent Omaha by being queen," she said, "It's going to be such a good experience."
Contact the writer:
402-444-1117, emily.nohr@owh.com
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