Twelve people from 10 southwest Iowa counties were recently inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair. The Council Bluffs Daily NonPareil reports the inductees or their representatives were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as they were introduced on stage at the 4-H exhibits building at the fair Aug. 23rd, in Des Moines. Albert Grunenwald, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, said in a news release,“When I look at all of the Hall of Fame inductees, I can’t help but marvel at the ripple effect from their contributions to the 4-H program. We are honored to be able to recognize the efforts of these special people.”
The southwest Iowa inductees include, from…
Cass County – Mary Ottmar
Audubon County – Virgil Sorensen
Adams County – Evelyn Lund
Guthrie County – Jim and Lisa Calvert
Crawford County – Coletta Weeda
Fremont County – Tom and Norma Troxel
Harrison County – David Seilstad
Mills County – James Paul
Monona County – Cheri Hardison
Montgomery County – Carol Sparr
Page County – Neil McCoy
Pottawattamie County (East) – Gene and Sharell Fritz
Shelby County – Paula Behrendt
A reception, sponsored by donors to the Iowa 4-H Foundation, was held shortly after the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame presentations. The honorees were selected by their respective counties for their service and dedication to 4-H, contributions to the lives of 4-Hers and the program, according to the foundation. Inductees have served as club leaders, fair board members, council members, fair judges, financial supporters, Iowa State University Extension staff members and more.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H.