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Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductees
Thanks to Sarah Little for this database!
Updated to 2023-Oct 2023
State database for Humboldt
County
2023 Humboldt County: Les and Diane Bacon
 Les
and Diane Bacon have consistently invested their time, talents,
and passions in helping children grow and learn within 4-H and
the community. Les was a 9-year 4-H member in Humboldt County,
where he served on the County Youth Council. His favorite
project area was livestock, especially sheep. Les’s 4-H
contribution are many! He served as the club leader of C & W 4-H
for 7 years. He is an active leader of Humboldt County Safety
Education in Shooting Sports (SESS) and has been since 2007. He
was elected to the Humboldt County Extension Council and State
Advisory board for SESS. He is a deeply respected National,
Level 2, Certified SESS Trainer. He wears many hats in this
capacity including: county, state, and national rifle
instructor, a match director for small bore rifle at the state
match, state small bore coach for SESS, Level 2 SESS instructor
for state rifle, and trainer for county and state level SESS
instructors. Diane was a 4-H member in Pocahontas County,
where she served as the president of her 4-H club. Her favorite
project area was clothing construction. Diane's many
contributions include 10 year Club leader for the Corinth Red
Stars 4-H Club, 4-H Judge for neighboring counties for 17 years,
target scorekeeper at the state rifle match, national scoring
team member for small bore rifle in Grand Island, Nebraska, and
an Extension Council nomination committee member.
Les and Diane are very passionate about giving back. Les
wants to pass on his knowledge by offering opportunities for
4-Hers to grow and excel in shooting sports. The “AH-HA”
moments, when the pieces come together for youth, are very
rewarding for Les. He enjoys working as a Level 2 trainer to
teach new SESS leaders across the state of Iowa. Diane wants to
continue to make 4-H a positive learning experience for the
members. Diane’s time spent judging provides opportunities for
teachable moments that are very valuable to youth. She enjoys
the clothing projects as well as the STEM projects. A judging
highlight for Diane was evaluating refurbished tractors; this
was an awesome experience that elevated her own learning curve.
Les and Diane have two children who were 10 year 4-H members.
Their children were very active with livestock projects and
other club activities. Les and Diane now have grandchildren who
are involved in Clover Kids, livestock projects, and exploring
all that 4-H has to offer. Les and Diane are excited to see what
the 4-H future has in store for their grandchildren. The two
have put so much work into making Humboldt County 4-H a positive
experience for 4-Hers. Youth can benefit from many opportunities
supported by the dynamic duo of Les and Diane Bacon.
2022 Humboldt County: Greg and Jill Lempke
2021 Humboldt County: Leroy and Susan Witzel
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Leroy and Susan Witzel truly see the benefits of the
4-H program and have been generous throughout the years
with both their time and money to support 4-H in any way
they can. |
LeRoy was in 4-H from a young age. He started in a club near
Floyd or Charles City, transferred to a club in Kossuth County near
LuVerne when he moved there with his family after his father’s
passing. Susan was not a 4-H’er but grew up in Fort Madison Iowa.
LeRoy’s favorite 4-H memory was spending a lot of time working with
his calf to get it ready to show. His father wasn’t able to see him
show that calf but he was awarded a grand champion ribbon on it as a
very young boy. Fun fact: Grandson Joel Rasmussen used his same calf
halter to show his own calf projects in the Humboldt County show
ring years later.
LeRoy and Susan were very passionate 4-H leaders! LeRoy was a
leader for the Vernon (Valley) Lakers for about 5 years, leading
both his son, Larry Witzel, and son-in-law Kevin Rasmussen. Susan
was a leader (of the Vernon Lassies) for a LONG TIME. She led during
the time both Lisa (Rasmussen) and Lori (Curran) were 4-H’ers.
Susan’s highlight of being a 4-H leader was taking the club to
Adventureland. She and Pat determinedly rode the Tornado more times
than their 4-H girls. LeRoy’s favorite memory as a 4-H leaders was,
organizing a field trip for their club to Moline to tour the
International Combine Factory and the John Deere headquarters,
creating lasting memories for many of those members!
Both Susan and LeRoy were active in the Midwest Tool Collectors
Association following their retirement from their family farm in
rural Humboldt County. In 2000, the first Tool Meet was held and
LeRoy and Susan asked for assistance from their grandkids’ clubs to
provide the food and energy to run this meet. This partnership went
on for 20 years, with the 4-H clubs earning a nice amount of money
to apply to their local programming, while at the same time learning
much about antique tools and the role those tool played in the
building of homes and businesses of our country.
Susan and LeRoy continue to support their grandchildren to this
day as the fourth generation is starting this path. They always made
it a priority to visit the 4-H building at the Iowa State Fair to
find their grandchildren’s winning projects. Probably one of their
most proud 4-H moments was watching granddaughter Kate Curran being
crowned Iowa State Fair Queen Runner Up! They truly are fantastic
recipients of the 2021 Humboldt County 4-H Hall of Fame Award!
2020 Humboldt County: Lauri Beilke
You could say Lauri Beilke bleeds green. Her involvement in
Humboldt County 4-H began as a member of the Vernon Lassies 4-H
club. During those nine years of very active participation, she
took static projects in many areas and showed livestock each
year. Lauri’s favorite project area was anything that involved
cooking, which is likely what sparked her lifelong love for
being in the kitchen! Her love for horses was very evident
during the county horse show but she also showed sheep and
rabbits. 
4-H was a family affair and she made sure to pass that along to
her children as well. Once her girls were old enough to be in
4-H, she became a leader of the Corinth Red Stars. She was a
leader from 2000-2010. While leading this club of girls, Lauri
and her co-leaders gave the members a taste of many of projects
areas. A project area that they hit on frequently was civic
engagement. She and her co-leaders knew the value in teaching
the “giving back” spirit. The girls learned to sew blankets and
loved the annual shopping trip for Angel Tree Christmas gifts
for those in need.
Her adventure doesn’t end there! After passing the leader
baton off, Lauri became a member of the Humboldt County
Foundation and currently serves as co-chair. One of her favorite
parts of being on the Humboldt County 4-H Foundation is that the
funds they raise go directly to help current 4-Hers enjoy many
of the same experience and life lessons she learned during her
time as a 4-Her. It is only fitting to give this award to Lauri
as a small token of our appreciation for what she has
contributed for both past and future 4-H and the Humboldt County
program.
2019 Humboldt County: Jim Kellner
Jim Kellner is the Humboldt County 4-H Fall of Fame 2019
inductee. 
Jim owns and operates Dream Carriage of Humboldt. Dream Carriage
offers horse drawn carriage and sleigh rides to the public all
season long. One of his busiest times is around Christmas for
sleigh rides around town to view the lights and caroling. A
large thing Jim does is he offers carriage rides during the
whole week of county fair. A lot of families and kids enjoy the
ride around the fairgrounds and if you are lucky he may allow
you to drive the horse.
For the past couple years the Humboldt County Fair Queen had
the pleasure of receiving a carriage ride after she was crowned
at the county fair. They also receive the privilege of riding in
the carriage during the 4th of July parade.
Jim is an auctioneer in his free time. He has auctioneered
for our local 4-H Foundation auction for the past 11 years. Each
year he provides excellent service to the 4-H program. He has
also been ring help and has helped to auctioneer at the
livestock auction the Monday after the county fair ended.
Jim enjoys allowing the kids to learn all about horses and
driving his carriage. During the fair you can catch him giving
lessons on driving and allowing the younger kids to sit up front
in the important seat.
2018 Humboldt County:
Clarence"Dutch & Berniece Norman
Clarence “Dutch” and Bernice Norman started 4-H as youth in
Greene County, Iowa. Clarence showed beef in Greene County as one of
his exhibits. One of the exhibits that Bernice had judged at the
Greene County Fair was her laundry bag that she sewed. The bag
advanced on to receive a blue ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. This
began their dedicated support of 4-H throughout their lives.
Clarence and Bernice love to spend time at the fairs including
Humboldt County Fair and Iowa State Fair. They enjoyed watching
their children and grandchildren grow and advance in the many
different avenues that 4-H has to offer. 
Clarence and Bernice have four children: Pat, John, Syb, and
Clay, and many grandchildren. Clarence was the leader of the Rutland
Trojans, and Bernice was leader of the Rutland Lucky Stars. They
each were leaders for over 15 plus years in Humboldt County.
Clarence carried many hats throughout his 4-H volunteering
career. He was the Humboldt County dairy judge leader. He took the
hog judging team from the Rutland Trojans of Humboldt County to
different contests around the area. He coached the kids that went to
the Iowa State Fair for dairy judging contests.
Bernice was instrumental in helping youth learn the basics of 4-H
including sewing, home improvement, baking, and including her love
she shared for showing dairy cattle. Bernice was known for helping
with chaperoning the youth on trips, including the award trip to
Chicago with the youth from Humboldt County. Bernice encouraged all
her grandchildren to take part in the 4-H program. She enjoyed
watching the grandchildren grow through the 4-H activities they
participated in.
Clarence and Bernice Norman both had a love of showing dairy
cattle throughout Iowa and even surrounding states. Clarence was
instrumental in establishing Humboldt County 4-H youth to show
regularly at the Iowa State Fair. Clarence and Bernice took their
family to many 4-H and open class dairy shows including Waterloo
Dairy Cattle Congress and Madison World Dairy Expo. 4-H has played a
large and active role in the Norman Family!
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2017 Humboldt County: Deanna Nervig
 My
affiliation with 4-H began when a neighbor girl invited me
to a meeting. Without my mother’s permission I joined the
West Grovettes 4-H Club that day.
4-H quickly became a
very important part of my life, and eventually for my three
sisters and brother. Each year was spent learning things
about home furnishings, clothing, or food and nutrition. I
especially enjoyed sewing and baking. We had to prepare at
least three exhibits for an achievement show and then, the
county fair. Other areas of interest were pursued as well,
including gardening and photography. Of course, we always
hoped an exhibit would be selected to go to the Iowa State
Fair. As an older 4-H member, I participated in the 4-H
Fashion Revue and enjoyed being a member of the 4-H County
Council.
In the summer we attended Bible school and then spent a
good portion of the summer working on 4-H projects and
exhibits. It was a busy household during a sewing year,
especially when four girls needed to use the one available
sewing machine The same was true when we were baking and all
of us needed to use the oven.
I learned so much from being a 4-H member and had
wonderful and dedicated 4-H leaders. We met once a month on
a Saturday at the nearby schoolhouse or at a member’s home.
We really got to know our neighbors and became friends with
them because of 4-H and riding the school bus together.
Older girls became mentors and helped younger girls learn.
During college, for one summer I was lucky to be hired to
work for the Humboldt County Extension office as a youth
assistant. The next summer, I worked for another extension
program, traveling to the smaller towns in Humboldt County
and worked with youth. I judged some achievement shows and
as an adult, was a 4-H judge at various county fairs for
several years.
My college years were spent at Iowa State University
where I received a degree in Home Economics Education and
continued to further those interests in 4-H. I taught
school for several years and later, while my children were
in school, became a substitute teacher.
While my children were 4-H members, I served as one of
the leaders for the Vernon Lassies 4-H club. Like the West
Grovettes club that I belonged to as a girl, the Vernon
Lassies club no longer exists, but there are many good
memories for the many girls and leaders who were a part of
that club.
Today I am involved in my church and volunteer on several
boards. Family is important to me and although our children
are grown, my husband, Rick and I keep in touch with them
daily.
What you can learn from being a 4-H member goes well
beyond what you learn by completing a single project. Being
involved with 4-H helps develop leadership and communication
skills. It helps a person to be more confident and makes a
person want to help others and give back to their
community. It is a wonderful organization and I credit much
of who I am to my involvement with 4-H.
2016 Humboldt County: Scott and Jacki Lerdal
You could say that 4-H was the start of this active
family. Scott and Jacki first met on a 4-H roller
skating trip when they were in 6th grade.
After completing their degrees at Iowa State University
they returned to the Humboldt area and have been
involved community members ever since. They are active
members of Faith United Methodist Church, have been a
part of the Relay for Life committee and sponsored
several calves in the “Share a Calf Program”.
Scott was member of West Grove Hustler’s 4-H Club,
showed cattle, pigs and sheep, and participated in
communication projects. He took part in the Chicago
Awards trip and attended State 4-H Conference. He was a
leader of Springvale Co-Ed 4-H Club. He is a member of
the Lions Club, and recently retired after 26 years as
an insurance agent. Scott has been a member of the
Humboldt County 4-H Foundation since it was created in
2008. He is currently the treasure of this organization.
Jacki was a member of Beaver Wide Awake’s 4-H Club.
She enjoyed working on her static exhibits for the fair
which led her to Iowa State to earn a degree in Home
Economics. A highlight of her 4-H career was attending
State 4-H Conference and traveling on the Chicago award
trip. She was a member of Jacyee Women. She served as
the vice president and manager of Power Coop Credit
Union for 36 years. She retired early this year.
Their oldest daughter, Andrea, was an active 4-H
member of the Springvale Co-Ed Club and served on State
4-H Council, Jill was also an active member of Girl
Scouts and received the Gold Award.
They have 5 grandsons and a granddaughter, with each
daughter having a set of twins. They are looking
forward to following their grandchildren’s activities
and continue their love for agriculture on their hobby
farm.
2015 Humboldt County- Daniel and Jean Holste
 Daniel
and Jean have been positive influences to the Humboldt
County 4-H program and have enjoyed the time they have
invested in this program. They were asked to be a part
of the program by former Humboldt County Youth
Coordinator, David Stephens.
The Holstes are Master
Gardeners. They have taught “Growing in the Garden”
curriculum to the Clover Kids club in the past and have
been our garden tour judges for several years. They
have also volunteered at the annual Ag Days for area 5th
graders held in Eagle Grove.
Daniel and Jean are judging assistants during the
Humboldt County Fair and help with setting up the
displays.
Daniel, a former teacher, has been our Science Club
leader since 2009.
Jean, a former librarian, has helped with our
babysitting clinic by sharing her love of books and
knowledge of age appropriate books. Jean is a former
Lucas County 4-Her.
Daniel and Jean have both been more involved with 4-H
since retiring.
2014 Humboldt County - Marilyn Hundertmark
 Marilyn
was a member of the Rutland Lucky Stars of Humboldt
County for 8 years and later became a leader of that
club for 9 years. By being a member of 4-H, Marilyn
made new friends, gained skills in homemaking, and
became a good citizen. She was able to pass this
information onto her own club and future generations of
4-Hers as a leader.
Marilyn was named Style Revue Queen at the Humboldt
County Fair in 1944, wearing the lace-trimmed
white-dotted Swiss dress she constructed. In 1947, her
long-time record book won a trip for her to the National
4-H Club Congress in Chicago. The following year
Marilyn was selected as one of four Iowa delegates to
the National 4-H Camp in Washington, D.C.
For the 2013 Humboldt County Fair, Marilyn supplied
historical
4-H records, literature, and girls’ uniforms for a
special exhibit.
Marilyn has encouraged and supported the 4-H program
not only in Humboldt County but other places through the
seven decades of her life. Her volunteer years as a 4-H
leader helped scores of young women learn the basics of
homemaking, leadership and citizenship.
Her member years brought outstanding personal
achievement and service as well as significant
historical 4-H recognition to Humboldt County.
2013 Humboldt County - Diana Lehman
 Diane
began her 4H career as a 7 year 4Her in Humboldt
County belonging to the Rutland Lucky Stars. One of
her fondest memories was as a 12 year old. She made
a 3 tier gathered skirt that made it through
achievement show judging, county show judging, and
state fair judging awarding her a blue ribbon that
she still has today.
As an adult she continued to participate in 4H as a
leader of the Beaver Wide Awake Club for 10 years,
as well as holding a volunteer position on the Youth
Committee.
When a job opportunity became available at the
Humboldt County Extension Office, Diane was asked if
she would be interested. She became the full time 4H
Program Assistant and Office Assistant and held that
post for almost 22 years. In her role with
extension, she was instrumental in developing and
planning the Environmental Agriculture Days for all
5th graders in the region teaching Sun
Safety, Fizz Bubble Goo, Girl Talk/Guy Talk, and
introducing the Clover Kids Program to Humboldt
County. She also enjoyed visiting schools during 4H
Recruitment Week, as well as connecting with the
home schooled community, to share her love of 4H
with the youth.
When she took the county position there were 70 4H
club members and she worked diligently to increase
the numbers to over 300! Today, Diane continues to
support 4H by judging county and state fair
exhibits.
When asked what the most rewarding part of her job
was, Diane said, “Did you happen to read the article
in the newspaper about Lisa David? She has become
one of the Top 50 Most Successful Women in the
Nation and has attributed her success as a public
speaker to the direction she received in 4H. She was
one of my members. I always pushed her to achieve,
and she did!”
Diane’s husband Wayne, who has always been
supportive of the 4H program and Diane’s efforts,
added “When we asked the kids to help with anything
they would do it. We had a lot of fun with the kids
and we still see them from time to time”
In closing, Diane commented, “I loved working with
the kids, it was a job I really loved. Looking back,
the memories are always good. There are a lot of
good kids out there!” She worked hard to build a
program that Humboldt County could take pride in.
The Humboldt County Extension Council is pleased to
nominate Diane Lehman into the 4H Hall of Fame for
her outstanding involvement in Humboldt and our
surrounding counties.
2012 Humboldt County- Ron & Mary Reedy
 Ron
& Mary Reedy began their 4-H involvement as 4-H members
during the 1950’s Mary was a member of the Amity
Learning Lassies in Page County and as a member she
enjoyed: food projects (canning peaches), art projects
(learning about the color wheel), doing demonstrations
at the county fair and helping design a new 4-H building
at the Page County Fair Grounds. Mary is one of the
fortunate 4-H’ers that knew Jessie Field Shambaugh “The
Mother of 4-H”, as her aunt was a member of one of the
early clubs started by Mrs. Shambaugh.
Ron was a member of the Corinth Jr. Farmers in
Humboldt County. His favorite 4-H activity was
exhibiting cattle at the county fair. Club members
would tour each other’s farms prior to the fair,
holding workshops on prepping animals for
exhibition. Everyone looked forward to the picnic
following the tours. Besides club events and the
Humboldt County Fair; Ron especially enjoyed
attending 4-H camps.
These passions led Ron & Mary to continue giving
back to 4-H time and time again. Ron & Mary have
supported the Humboldt County 4-H Program both
financially and as dedicated volunteers. Mary
enjoyed volunteering as a judge’s assistant at the
Humboldt County Fair and with helping with various
4-H workshops and clinics. She greatly enjoyed her
time as a chaperone for the Citizenship-Washington
Focus trip (1992).
Together they created a scholarship fund to support
youth wanting to attend Animal Science Roundup
during the State 4-H & Youth Conference. In 2006,
Ron & Mary made the first donation to create the
Humboldt County 4-H Foundation. Since that initial
donation, the foundation has awarded several college
scholarships to graduating 4-H seniors, assisted
youth attending 4-H camps and trips and supporting
clubs with workshop funds. Ron has worked with each
Elevator & Coop in Humboldt County to set up Gift of
Grain accounts so farmers can donate grain to the
Humboldt County 4-H Foundation.
Ron & Mary believe the 4-H Program builds character
and teaches life skills. They are deeply honored to
be a part of the program and to be inducted into the
4-H Hall of Fame.
2011 Humboldt County - Christine Frohling
 Christine
Frohling waited with enthusiastic patience to become a
4-H member following in the footsteps of her mother and
two older sisters in their 4-H experiences. She was
always willing to give demonstrations and lead workshops
and help organize activities.
Her stories indicate she really enjoyed food and
nutrition and was given firsthand experience when she
and her sisters were responsible for the food
preparation while their mother attended Drake University
to complete here BA.
She modeled the jumper and beret she sewed for the Style
Revue and received recognition for ‘Best Construction’.
By the following year she was sewing garments for her
wardrobe for school.
Another year she had two state fair entries and suddenly
felt that all the little things she learned were of
great benefit when tackling larger projects. This was
also the year she took on the challenge of club
president, won the Rural Electric essay contest for
Humboldt County a trip to Washington DC. This was also
the year she decided to take another college Physics
class the summer of her junior year as she had done the
previous summer taking a biology class.
In the last story written in her record book after a
very inspiring Rally Day and a Retreat she wrote “At
both of these moments I wished I was ten again and just
beginning 4-H again. I’d get more involved in projects,
camps, county workshops to reach beyond our local club.
I would have done more things so people would say ‘Hey!
That’s Chris Frohling! She really knows what 4-H is all
about!’ “During her 4-H career she was awarded the Iowa
Merit Award.
Humboldt County has continued to present an annual award to the best
4-H club president in the county in her memory after her
untimely death due to an automobile accident.
2010 Humboldt County - Bonnie Gates
 Bonnie
Gates served the Iowa 4-H program for approximately 35
years. Her roles were many, starting as an assistant 4-H
leader when her daughter began her 4-H career. Diane was
very active and continued through her senior year of
high school.
After her daughter’s graduation, Bonnie continued to
serve on the local and county level. She was a 4-H
leader- organizing and chaperoning 4-H trips to a
variety of places such as Mayo Clinic, Betty Crocker
Kitchens, home tours, brewery’s and nature hikes.
Bonnie brought young 4-H’ers into her home to work on
sewing projects, cooking, candy making, etc. She judged
exhibits at the Humboldt County fair, style shows, and
also record books. She served several years on the 4-H
Youth Committee and the Humboldt County Extension
Council.
As she looks back over her 4-H day’s she wants to
encourage all in life to do the best you can.
2009 Humboldt County - Pat Hill
 Pat
Hill was raised on a farm near Thor in Humboldt County.
She started 4-H when she was ten years old and belonged
to the Beaver Wide Awake 4-H Club. She began with a
horse project and the required home economics projects
to demonstrate at the Humboldt County Fair. She has
maintained generations of her original horse to this
day. When she graduated from high school Pat became a
4-H Club Leader and has been a leader for 35 years in
Humboldt County. Currently, she is a co-leader for the
Bits & Bridles 4-H Club that generally has horse
projects, but members have other animals and projects as
well. Pat heads the horse project area for the Humboldt
County Fair and takes care of judges, advertising,
trophies, sponsors, and announcing at the horse show.
Pat also helps manage the 4-H Livestock Auction at the
Humboldt County Fair, keeping track of weights, bids,
and buyers. She also helps club members cook and serve
at the 4-H Food-stand during the fair. A little over a
year ago, she started serving on the new Humboldt County
4-H Foundation Board. This past year the 4-H Foundation
Board raised funds for scholarships and conferences with
an auction, food-stand sales, and donations. Pat is
very involved in Humboldt County charitable and service
organizations; Lion’s Club, FSA Board, Beaver Township
Clerk, Department of Human Services, Angel Gift Tag
Tree, and on council of Western Iowa Synod for
Evangelical Lutheran Churches. Pat said the best
things about 4-H are having such a wonderful family
oriented program and great way to meet people.
2008 Humboldt County - Bob & Lois Molitor
 Bob
and Lois started 4-H as youth, Bob in Calhoun County for
9 years where he exhibited beef, swine, and sheep at the
Rockwell City and Manson fair. Lois was a member of the
Corinth Red Stars 4-H Club for 9 years where she
exhibited in three project areas at the Humboldt County
Fair and Iowa State Fair.
Lois was a Humboldt County 4-H officer, and a member of
a demonstration team that was chosen to show at the
Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress. Lois was a 4-H Club
Leader for the Corinth Red Stars for 20 years and a
County Fair Judge for 20 years, including fashion
review, and now serves as a judge’s helper for the
Humboldt County Fair.
Their three daughters and two granddaughters were 4-H
members and received many blue ribbons at the local and
Iowa State Fair.
Bob and Lois were honored to be chaperones for 7 youth
who were awarded the 4-H Chicago Trip.
They are involved in the Humboldt Community. Bob has
served as a 17 year member and past president of the
Humboldt County Fairboard, was township clerk for 40
years, a member of St. Mary’s finance board when new
school was built, and served on cemetery board for 30
years. Lois is Community Fund chair for Corinth
Township, past officer of St. Mary’s Society, monthly
chair for funeral dinners and Christmas Baskets, and
chair for Women’s Day at the Humboldt County Fair. Both
Bob and Lois are members of Humboldt County Farm
Bureau.
2007 Humboldt County - Harold & Janice Nostrom
 Harold
and Janice have been strong supporters of 4-H for many
years in Humboldt County. All of Harold and Janice’s 4
children were involved in
4-H in Corinth Township and 8 of 9 of their
grandchildren have been involved in 4-H.
Janice’s mother was a 4-H member and adult volunteer for
over 25 years for Humboldt County. Janice grew up as a
4-H member in Beaver Township of Humboldt County.
Janice volunteers at the Humboldt County Fair, does
baking demonstrations for clubs, and enters baking
contests with her daughter at other fairs. Harold and
Janice’s family donated a large 4-H flag in memory of
Janice’s mother to the Humboldt County 4-H Program to
use at meetings, events, and fairs.
Both Harold and Janice are active volunteers at their
church and within the community. They are avid
promoters of 4-H to anyone they meet.
2006 Humboldt County - Norman Mokelstad
 4-H’rs
attending, Chicago 4-H trip, and many other events.
He helped with all 4-H Club tours held each year. Each
4-H’r explained their exhibit during the tours and it
was a good learning experience for 4-H’rs, parents, and
others who attended. Many livestock judging workshops
were held in the county during the tours. 4-H’rs placed
animals and gave oral reasons to practice for judging
contests and to learn how to select the best livestock.
Norm judged at the Iowa State Fair and several county
fairs. Since retiring from Humboldt County in 1986, he
has continued judging in many counties. “The big
improvement in judging 4-H exhibits at fairs is the 4-H
conference judging”, says Norm. In each case, the 4-H’r
explains his or her work, what they learned, what their
goals were, how their exhibit was made, and their plans
for next year.
He judged exhibits in the areas of science and
mechanics, Ag and Natural Resources, and gardening at
fairs. 4-H’rs have the opportunity to select and
develop so many different exhibits.
Fairs are just “one part” of the total learning
experience for youth involved with 4-H programs. Norm
says an exhibit is “one part” of participation in a
subject matter project area. Each 4-H’r is a winner for
trying a new experience. During the conference judging,
he tries to evaluate, educate, and encourage the 4-H’r.
In Humboldt County, he conducted many extension programs
and information on crops, livestock, farm management,
and other special extension programs. He helped
organize and worked with all crop and livestock
community groups. He carried on a huge narrow row
soybean field test, 15” vs. 30” row spacing’s. In
addition, grain drills and no-till planting of soybeans
was compared over the years.
Norm has enjoyed working with 4-H’rs, parents, and
farmers during the past 45 years. Norm and his wife,
Mavis, have four children; Nancy, Tim, Mark, and Teresa
and also have 10 grandchildren.
2005 Humboldt County - Ken & Marilyn Nielsen
 Ken
& Marilyn Nielsen own and operate KC Nielsen LTD, a John
Deere implement dealership in Humboldt, Iowa. Both Ken
and Marilyn grew up in Humboldt County and have raised
their family in Humboldt as well. Ken was a member of
the Grove Township 4-H Club and showed livestock at the
Humboldt County Fair.
Marilyn’s father, O.I. Carlson, taught school in Castana,
Iowa, after graduating from Iowa State University, then
moved to Monona County as an Iowa State University
Extension Agent for 3 years. He then moved to Humboldt
County Extension in 1943 to continue as an Iowa State
University Extension Agent. In 1947, Mr. Carlson moved
into being a John Deere dealer in Humboldt, Iowa. He
started supporting 4-H programs from that year forward.
Mr. Carlson established the First Year 4-H Member Award
program, which is for 4-Hr’s that completed their first
year in 4-H and have enrolled to continue in 4-H.
The first years Mr. Carlson’s award was taking the
4-Hr’s to the John Deere production plant at Waterloo,
Iowa. After several years, the trip was a Fun Day at
Clear Lake, with picnics, swimming, and games.
Ken & Marilyn joined the John Deere dealership in 1960
and have continued the First Year 4-H Member Award
program for 4-Hr’s ever since. When the production
plant tours were not available to young 4-Hr’s, the
Nielsen’s used the Happy Joe’s Pizza Parlor in Fort
Dodge for fun with Clowns and Clown Face painting.
In the 1980’s, the Nielsen’s started having a
ventriloquist, Elaine Elm, be the fun entertainment for
the First Year 4-H Member Award program. The program
has been held at the Pasquale’s Pizza restaurant in
Humboldt ever since then, and still continues today.
The Nielsen’s also helped begin and sponsor Farm Safety
training for 4-H Youth in Humboldt County.
Ken and Marilyn have been strong supporters at the
Humboldt County Fair each year. For several years they
have purchased many 4-H livestock projects
at the Humboldt County Fair Livestock Auction.
Ken said their office staff and employees have been a
big part of 4-H over the years. Many employees have
been 4-H families, and their John Deere implement
dealership has enjoyed sponsoring 4-H programs and
Humboldt Fair events.
2004 Humboldt County - Gary and Sharon Erickson
 Gary
and Sharon Erickson both grew up in Humboldt County.
Gary was in
4-H for 8 years starting in 1949 with sheep projects and
Sharon was in 4-H for almost 2 years with educational
projects.
Gary was the Humboldt County Lamb project leader for
many years and has served as the sheep superintendent
for the Humboldt County Fair for 15 years. He has also
served on the Fair Board for 12 years. Gary has been
involved in several sheep organizations serving many
people around Iowa, including: Iowa Sheep & Wool
Promotion Board, Iowa Sheep Association, and Western
Iowa Mid States Wool Growers. Gary and Sharon have
supplied lambs for 4-H exhibitors to show at fairs for
many years.
Sharon has served on the Humboldt County 4-H Youth
Committee for over 25 years, been a fair judge for
events in Hewitt Hall and helped 4-H leaders with
projects and record books. She still volunteers to help
at the Humboldt Fair. In addition, Sharon has helped
interview 4-H members for Iowa State 4-H Office and has
served on state committees for 4-H record books. Sharon
has also chaperoned for two 4-H Recognition Trips for
Humboldt County Award Winners and for two Citizenship
Washington Focus Trips for Humboldt County 4-H’ers.
Gary and Sharon’s children, Susan and Gayle, were 4-H
members and were involved in sheep, cooking, and
educational projects.
Gary and Sharon enjoy helping 4-H’rs grow, seeing them
develop, and building and strengthening their life
skills. Gary and Sharon have been awarding a Wool Shawl
to the winner of the 4-H Fashion Revue event at the
Humboldt Fair for over 25 years to recognize 4-H members
for sewing and constructing clothing projects.
2003 Humboldt County - Blythe Edge
Blythe was born and raised in Humboldt County where
her mother help start and charter the Vernon 4-H Club.
As an adult, Blythe served as a club leader, project
leader, judge, and fair volunteer. Blythe and her
husband Ed were one of the first families to help begin
and contribute to the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
2002 Humboldt - Homer Eastman
 Homer
began his association with 4-H as a ten year old and it
became a lifetime association. He became a 4-H club
leader in 1944. Homer and a co-leader organized the
boys’ food stand at the Humboldt County fair. They
raised $500 and sent the proceeds to the Iowa 4-H
Foundation to help build the camping center near
Madrid. Homer took one of the first Humboldt County
groups to the state camp after it opened and the new
lodges were complete. He continued to take his club to
winter camp for many years, taking 42 different groups
to various camps over the years.
Homer was a 4-H club
leader for 21 years. He was also a tri-county leader
for 3 years. Humboldt, Webster, and Pocahontas counties
had a club for senior high students and some graduates.
They enjoyed participating in projects, camps, and
activities together. Homer also organized 4-H
basketball and baseball teams for Humboldt County.
Homer and his wife Vivian hosted 3 International Farm
Youth Exchange people. The young people were from
Jamaica, India, and Finland.
Homer and Vivian have been married for 60 years and
have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Their children
and grandchildren have been active in the Humboldt
County Fair and Iowa State Fair over the years.
Page update:20 Oct 2023
Source: https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ |
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