History and Inductees
from Henry County, Iowa
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Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame History and Inductees from Henry County, Iowa |
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| Historical Leadership |
| County Agents: Don E Fish March 1914 - December 1921 (first county agent) Glenn Hazen 1917 – 1918 S. G. Baxter December 1921 – December 1927 C. G. Turner January 1928 – April 1930 Len R. Beath May 1930 – January 1942 Floyd Goodell February 1942 – May 1949 Robert Denney June 1949 – December 1950 Philip J. Baird January 1951 – December 1958 Richard L. Thuma (County Extension Director) December 1958 - ? 1986 Rick Godke (Co. Extension Director) 1987 - 1990 Phil Greenburg 1991-92 Janet Smith 1992- |
| Home Demonstration Agents: Dorothy Munson May 1918 – December 1919 (first home demonstration agent) Claire Hoge November 1935 – November 1936 Dorothy Bower December 1936 – June 1938 Geraldine Erdahl July 1938 – May 1941 Lillian Peckham October 1942 – July 1945 Shirley Nelson June 1947 – September 1948 Mary Tinkham December 1948 – September 1950 Virginia Ray January 1953 – September 1954 Julia Andrew October 1954 – May 1955 Arlene Harms November 1955 – September 1957 JoAnn Osenbaugh June 1959 – September 1960 Linda Louden July 1960 – September 1961 Connie Smith May 1962 – December 1963 Mary Petsche Raid January 1964 – August 1967 Jane Betchel September 1967 – July 1969 Judy Freed March 1970 – October 1972 Mary Cullison October 1972 - 85 Joann Alderton 1985-91 |
| Club Agents: Richard E. Davison February 1934 – September 1936 (first club agent) Ralph Olson December 1936 – December 1936 Kenneth Wagner March 1937 – May 1938 Jon Pulling June 1938 – July 1940 Russell Sawyer August 1940 – January 1942 Paul Peterson January 1942 – July 1942 Les Schoffelman (multi-county) June 1967 – July 1986 Janet Smith (multi-county) April 1987 – 1991 Carol Gard (4-H Program Assistant/County Youth Coordinator) June 1989 – September 2007 Kaitlyn Wintermeyer November 2008 – 2009 Alison Reif Jones 2009-present |
| Click for more historical information. |
INDUCTEES  click on photos for larger images |
| 2022 Henry County Dr. Steve & Dr. Shelly Wickham |
 Dr.
Steve and Dr. Shelly have been and continue to be active supporters of
the Henry County 4-H Program. Shelly served as the Secretary of the
Henry County Extension Council for eight years.Both Shelly and Steve were 4-H Leaders. Steve was a leader of the Wayne Soil Savers 4-H Club for 15 years and Shelly the leader of the Country Creators. Shelly assisted with the startup of the Henry County 4-H Bottle Calf program and chaired the program for many years, as well as provided expertise for the 4-H Pet Show. Steve's passion is for beef production in Henry County and is a large promoter of the production side of the 4-H Beef show emphasizing the importance of quality beef products. Steve has served as the Henry County Fair Veterinarian for over 30 years and has hosted numerous Beef Weigh-ins at his facility while providing guidance and support to beginning beef producers. As former 4-H'ers, both Steve and Shelly encouraged 4-H participation with many Henry County youth and then their own triplets Blake, Hannah and Sterling. Steve provided support as a mentor to new incoming leaders and members with many hands-on learning opportunities and club tours for Wayne Soil Savers. |
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| 2021 Henry County Dwayne & Andrea Wright |
 Dwayne
and Andrea Wright have lived a life of service to the Henry County 4-H
program and the Henry County Fair. Dwayne was the talented volunteer 4-H
Leader of the New London Pioneers for over 10 years. During that time,
he organized the Henry County Fair Swine Committee, New Lonfon Pioneer
ski trips, implemented successful yearly sweet corn fundraisers, and
provided mentorship to numerous young 4-H’ers. Andrea, Dwayne's wife assisted in the club leader role while also serving on the Henry County Fair Board for the last 15 years. During her 2020 term as Fair Board President, Andrea used her exceptional problem-solving skills to provide the safest fair possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuing the long family tradition of agricultural and 4-H history, Dwayne and Andrea raised their three children Kaitlin, Corey and Aaren, to be active Henry County 4-H members whom participated in livestock shows, Share the Fun, and static exhibits. On fall Saturdays you can find the Wright’s working on the 150+ year old farm, enjoying time with family, or in the stands cheering on Iowa State Cyclone Football. Dwayne is currently retired from the 4-H volunteer role but you can still find him pitching in at the Henry County Fair while Andrea maintains her seat on the Henry County Fair Board. The Wright’s truly exemplify the 4-H value of HANDS to larger service, and for this we say thank you! |
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| 2019 Henry County: McArtor Family |
 For
the McArtor family 4-H has been a way of life for several generations.
Members of this family have grown from being club members to club
leaders and livestock exhibitors to livestock committee members. McArtor
FamilyWhether you are at the dog show, in the livestock arena or in the barns, at exhibit or open class judging day, in the fair board office, or just around the fairgrounds in general there will always be a McArtor there lending a helping hand. Prior to the fair, you can find them at the extension office putting labels on trophies and helping with any other last minute projects we may have or out in the barns mentoring the next generation of livestock exhibitors as they prepare for the fair. Outside of 4-H and Extension many of the McArtor’s volunteer for several other organizations such as the Henry County Pork Producers, Relay for Life, and Kiwanis just to name a few. Thank you for your many years of service to the 4-H program, extension and our community! We appreciate you! |
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| 2018 Henry County: Roland & Helen Lauer |
 Helen
and Roland Lauer of rural Mt. Pleasant, have been active supporters of
the Henry County 4-H program throughout their lifetime. In 1962 their
journey began with Helen actively helping the Lucky Lassies 4-H Club.
She continued assisting the club for the next eight years and especially
enjoyed opening up her kitchen for her daughter and friend to practice
their bread making demonstration for the fair competition. Roland &
Helen LauerRoland’s passion for agriculture led him to become leader of the Champion Clippers 4-H Club in 1964. He enjoyed all the camaraderie and opportunity to encourage young men in their endeavors into animal husbandry and agriculture. He continued in this role for the next eight years and felt privileged to watch many of these young men continue in agriculture in the local area. He supported all the county fair preparations during weigh-ins for the animals and necessary data recording. He was always encouraging each entrant to be their best. Fair time was special!! It’s also a 4-H member’s opportunity to present themselves to the public. He always stressed the importance of a great attitude, humble spirit, and kind heart when working with their livestock project. As the years continued and their grandchildren became eligible, they encouraged them to be part of 4-H. Helen and Roland always felt there was so much to learn from the participation in a group of like- mined individuals, as well as, the pride one could earn from a summer of hard work raising a pig and preparing it for showing at the county fair. Helen shared recipes and her kitchen with her granddaughter, as well as her sewing skills. Roland shared his wealth of experience raising livestock with his grandson and granddaughter. He was especially proud when his grandson won the grand champion pig with the genetics developed by his son over the years. He also cheerfully provided shop area for his son and grandson to restore an antique tractor, which went to the state fair during his grandson’s senior year. Roland was a great supporter of fundraising, providing crop ground for the Mount-N-eers Club to raise sweet corn (which allowed the club members to enjoy a ski trip to Snowstar). Helen and Roland’s commitment to service was passed to their grandchildren as each of them served on the County 4-H Council throughout their high school years. In 2007 Helen and Roland established the 4-H Leadership Scholarship to assist Henry County 4-H members pursuing college degrees in agriculture or related fields. Again, Helen and Roland continue to encourage and support the 4-H program as the next generation reaches for their dreams! |
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| 2014 Henry County - Deborah Sinclair |
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Henry County inductee to the 2014 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame truly lives
every day making the best better. Deborah Goering Sinclair was born in
Iowa County in August of 1961 to Don and Doris Goering. To say she was
born bleeding green is an understatement as she is a third generation
4-H’er.Growing up in Ames, Deborah was a part of the Ames Cycloneers 4-H Club and the Story County 4-H Council and was part of the Story County Fair Queen Court. During her 4-H career she participated in photography, food and nutrition, home improvement and communications projects. Following graduation from Ames High School, Deborah attended Iowa State University majoring in Home Economics Journalism. While at Iowa State she was involved in the Residence Hall Association, serving as a Resident Advisor two years, as well as playing the clarinet in the Iowa State University Cyclone Football “Varsity” Marching Band. Following graduation from Iowa State University in 1982, Deborah worked for the University of Missouri Extension Service. Following her marriage to Brian Sinclair in 1985, Deborah started working with Head Start in Sterling, Ill. While in Sterling, Brian and Deb welcomed their first daughter, Heather. After a move to Des Moines, Iowa in 1992, Deb and Brian welcomed their second daughter, Hannah. A relocation to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in 1997 brought Deborah to Henry County. When her daughter Heather began 4th grade, she and Deb went to their first 4-H meeting together. They attended a Triple C 4-H Club meeting and the rest is history. Deb was the general leader within her first year of involvement and hasn’t looked back since. Fifteen years later, numerous nights before the county fair finalizing exhibits, dozens of Share the Fun skits, leading the Henry County Communications Committee, several club trips to Adventureland and hundreds of lives touched, Deb is retiring from being the leader of the Triple C 4-H Club. Deb’s passion, excitement and genuine love for the Iowa 4-H program and youth of Henry County couldn’t be more visible. She has inspired numerous 4-Hers to make the best better in their everyday lives. She truly is an inspiration to her family, friends, coworkers, the Henry County community and the entire Iowa 4-H program. It is with great pride and gratitude that Henry County nominates Deborah Goering Sinclair to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. |
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| 2013 Henry County - Diana Weigert |
 Diana
began 4-H as a young girl and was a member in Mt. Union for 9 years. 4-H
was her passion as a youth and it has continued into her adulthood.Diana spent significant time with her grandmother who always inspired her to try new things. Diana learned to crochet from her grandmother, her creativity was very apparent as a child. As a young girl, Diana taught herself how to knit and sew. She was never afraid to try something new! While in 4-H, she participated in projects such as sewing, art, canning, gardening, and livestock. After graduating from Mt. Pleasant High school, she married David Weigert. Diana became a 4-H leader in 1979 and encouraged her own two children to be in 4H at this time. From this point on, Diana has inspired, encouraged and directed youth to enroll in the 4-H program. During her leadership, Diana taught youth to sew, knit, learn about arts and focus on care for animals. Her ambition to share her love for 4-H and teaching has inspired many youth in the Henry County 4-H program. Diana continues to dedicate much of her time to the 4H program and her club members. She has been a leader for more than 30 years and is currently a leader of the Jackson Jrs 4-H Club of Mt. Pleasant. Diana prepares a new art project for the members each month, encouraging them to try new and exciting things. She strives to promote and inspire the youth in 4H. Diana is the kind of leader that taught 4Hers how to run a proper business meeting, keep monthly club notes, and fulfill all office duties. She teaches youth how to give presentations and learn record keeping skills. She shares her passion with her members in project areas like photography, gardening, sewing, painting, proper livestock care and showmanship as well as a multitude of art projects. Currently Diana lives in New London, Iowa and is the art teacher for the Mt. Pleasant home school program; she owns and operates her own business, Country Lane Fiber Arts. She spins wool, uses a loom, sells different kinds of yarns, knitting needles and has more crafts and projects every day. She also teaches beginners how to do the crafts they want to learn, such as knitting or spinning, just to name a few. Diana enjoys gardening, spending time with family, knitting, sewing and, of course, teaching beginners how to achieve their goals. She has two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Diana’s love for the 4H program is apparent in everything she does. Her dedication to the program is continuous. She is most deserving of this honor with her countless hours of volunteerism and her passion to teach youth. Congratulation Diana and thank you for your years of service to the Henry County 4-H Program! |
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| 2012 Henry County- Carol Gard |
 The
recipient of this year’s induction into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame from
Henry County is Carol Gard. Carol was born in 1945 and was raised on a
crop and livestock farm. As a child, Carol wasn’t able to be a part of
4-H due to responsibilities she had at home, but she always wanted to
join and knew one day she would encourage her own children to become 4-H
members.In 1963 Carol graduated from Anita High School. She later married and she and her husband started a family. As time went by Carol’s family moved to southeast Iowa in the late 70’s. At this time her children became involved with 4-H. It wasn’t until the early 80’s that all three of Carol’s children had joined the Henry County 4-H program. Carol also became involved with 4-H too as the head 4-H leader for the New London Lassies and Lad’s Club. Carol brought many strengths and talents as a 4-H leader to New London. She organized meetings, education outings and encouraged youth to belong to 4-H. Her club was one of the largest clubs in the county! Carol was a leader for many years, and decided that she wanted to pursue a fulltime career of working with kids in the Henry County 4-H Program. Carol began working as the 4-H assistant at the Henry County Extension Office in the late 80’s. She worked with 4-H and also took on a secretarial position in 1992. Carol eventually took over the County Youth Coordinator position shortly thereafter and worked in the office until her retirement in October of 2007. Carol fills in occasionally at the Henry County office and has volunteered to help train new staff. In Carol’s free time she is a Master Gardener through Iowa State University Extension since 1991. Carol serves as the vice president with the Master Gardener program. Carol enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Roger, their children, and grandchildren. Carol is the most deserving recipient for this award as she is always volunteering to help with 4-H events, programs, and activities. Carol is dependable, friendly, outgoing, and organized. In our eyes, she is truly the most valuable volunteer in the Henry County 4-H program! |
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| 2002 Henry County - Catherine McCormick |
 Radiating
deep warmth and good cheer, a helpful and friendly nature always,
Catherine McCormick reached into the hearts and minds of the people and
4-H’ers in Henry County. Catherine completed 55 years of service upon
her retirement in 1985.Catherine’s Extension experience started as a beef project club member from Canaan Township in Henry County. She graduated from Pleasant Lawn High School in 1927 and began work with Iowa State University Extension and Farm Bureau in 1930. It is likely that Catherine helped approximately 5,000 4-H members and 500 4-H leaders during her tenure. Her service is believed to be the longest of any ISU Extension worker in Iowa. |
| Formatted and added to Henry County IAGenWeb, July 2023. |
| Source abstracted from: https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/what-we-do/recognizing-service |