Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Inductees from Decatur County, Iowa

INDUCTEES click on photos for larger images

2022 Decatur County Mike & Peggy Frost

Mike and Peggy Frost are Decatur County natives. Still to this day, they reside on a Heritage Farm in Decatur County. Peggy was a member of the Center’s Cheerful Chums boys and girls clubs. She actively participated in showing cattle and taking projects to the static building in home economics. While in 4H, Peggy held numerous local and county offices relating to 4H. She was a member of both clubs because as a female in order to show livestock you had to be in a boys club. When the time was right she then became a co-leader of the Cheerful Chums girls club. As their daughters became old enough to join 4H, she encouraged them to give 4H a try. Although the couple would prefer to stay out of the spotlight, the county wants them to know how much they are appreciated. They have supported almost every building project that has taken place on the Decatur County fairgrounds. The couple was one of the sponsors of a steer from our county in the Governor’s Steer Show. The wash rack at the fairgrounds was in need of a major repair and this family stepped up to make that happen. At the end of the fair, the exhibitors sell some of the projects to help pay for some feed bills. Mike and Peggy were always at the sale and purchased numerous animals from the exhibitors to help ease the process of selling an animal and their feed bill. Mike and Peggy do not just support 4H, they have been active members in the county holding positions like school board, South Central Iowa Community Foundation board, and ROCCS. The couple owned and operated the local Leon NAPA store. Peggy is currently a part-time nurse at the Decatur County Hospital. Mike and Peggy obviously love their community and are willing to help in whatever capacity they can. They want small, rural communities to have as many opportunities available to them as possible as well as the 4H program.

2021 Decatur County Jack Van Laar

Jack Van Laar has been an Extension County Director in Decatur County for the past forty-five years. During this time, he has provided extensive support to local 4-H'ers participating in the livestock, wildlife, and shooting sports project areas. Jack strives to provide opportunities for all youth by advocating for them, seeking grant funding for programs, and by budgeting money to keep costs low for local 4-H activities. Jack is very active in partnership building, constantly representing 4-H and ISU Extension and Outreach in the community. A notable facet of Jack's career has been the strong partnerships he has built locally with organizations such as the Decatur County Fair Board, Decatur County Conservation Board, Pheasants Forever, SCICAP, and local schools among others. Jack is a loyal supporter of Decatur County 4-H youth and has dedicated his career to providing opportunities for all Decatur County residents. Jack is always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it is at a 4-H event, mentoring youth, judging 4-H record books, or playing live music at events in his community. Jack has made a lasting impact on several generations of Decatur County residents, and Decatur County is proud to nominate him to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for 2021.

2020 Decatur County: Hope Mendenhall

To quote Coretta Scott King, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” By this standard, the Decatur County community can be deemed “great” through the loyalty, service, and leadership of Hope Mendenhall. 4-H creates the opportunity to make a difference on a local level, to which Hope accepted the responsibility with excitement and determination. Hope Mendenhall Hope has the drive, quick-mind, and relentlessness dedication of a fortune 100 CEO. Luckily for the local community, these skills were channeled into 4-H and living the club’s values for over 67 years. Hope found following the 4-H motto to be a way to lead her commitment to the community. In 1953, at age 24 with no children of her own, she was asked if she would help organize a new club in the area and be the leader. The answer was a resounding “YES!” She never looked back from this commitment. Coupled with her resourcefulness, creativity and lead by example style, she helped organize three clubs for girls, served as club leader for 16 years along with being a member of the extension council. Many of these original 4-H members became club leaders later in life. After Hope retired as a club leader, she helped judge achievement shows for over 20 years. Hope encouraged her children to be active in 4-H to learn, volunteer, and be passionate about whatever their level of involvement. She continued to promote the 4-H values in helping her grandkids with projects, educational presentations, and providing queries to keep them exploring and improving. Now she is watching her great grandchildren step up and be involved in 4-H. Hope had a mantra of no job was too large or too small to take on. One of her biggest joys and hardest tasks was helping prepare for the annual county fair by mowing, cleaning, setting up booths for each club, checking-in projects, and providing food for the 4-H dining shack. She also clerked the Decatur & Wayne County fair auctions for 11 years. Hope not only taught sewing lessons for 4-H’ers, but also organized design and sewing classes for other high school students. Her 4-H skills were literally woven into the fabric of the community through the Central Decatur Junior and Senior High School Cheerleading uniforms. Hope would design patterns and sew three pleated, box pleated or fitted A-line skirts for the cheerleaders, which were on display each game night. A prominent example of the impact Hope has had on the 4-H community on a county level is the local exhibit building. The Extension office recruited the Mendenhall family, led by Hope, to form a fundraising committee to replace the original exhibit building at the county 4-H grounds. The project was completed in record time and the new building continues to be utilized many community events.

2019 Decatur County: Charles and Marletta Warren

Charles and Marletta Warren have volunteered many years together; serving as 4-H leaders, evaluating record books, and being on various committees in Decatur County. Charles Warren Charles and Marletta farmed over 35 years before they retired and moved to Leon. Charles, now age 89 lives at Terrace Park Assistant Living, and Marletta, age 87, lives next door at West View Care Center in Leon. They have three adult children that are married. Chuck, (wife, Marilyn), Mike (wife, Jeanette) and Charletta (husband Mike). 9 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. All three children were long time 4-H members. Charles joined 4-H in 1940 at 10 years old with his brother Chester in Decatur County. He belonged to the Van Wert 4-H club and continued in 4-H for 11 years. He showed baby beef cattle and purebred Duroc hogs at county level and when he got older showed at the Iowa State Fair and Kansas City American Royal. Charles was involved in educational presentations at the county and state levels and won numerous awards. He was instrumental in helping the Extension Service spending many hours cleaning grounds of dead trees, planting new trees, and repairing old buildings to improve the fairgrounds. Charles and Marletta were also responsible for getting a new dining hall at the fairgrounds. Later, Charles helped build a chain fence around the fairgrounds which also benefited the Leon Rodeo. One of Charles’ highlights of his 4-H career was when he won a bus trip around the State of Iowa which totaled close to 900 miles. Marletta volunteered many years managing the 4-H food stand at the Decatur County Fair, along with being leader of the LeRoy Merry Makers Girls' 4-H club. She spent many hours working with girls on their projects and exhibits, as well as helping them with their demonstrations. Both Charles and Marletta are long time Farm Bureau members. FB sponsored many 4-H events. Charles served his country in the Korean War for over two years while Marletta was home raising their son. Before retiring, you would always see Charles and Marletta helping with fair exhibits. Even now at the age of 89, Charles continues to coordinate the Old Tractor and Antique Car shows at the local county fair; having at least 5 entries of his own tractors and antique cars. Annually, with the help of his sons, Charles always takes his Model A to the Iowa State Fair to display. He is pleased when Central Decatur School District calls on Charles to borrow one of his convertibles for the homecoming parade. Both Charles and Marletta are members of Leon Bible Church and were very active before they retired. They taught Sunday School and helped with youth group and were on numerous church boards. The local 4-H program helped Charles and Marletta to be leaders in their community and church.

2018 Decatur County: Gary Stripe

Gary was first exposed to 4-H at age 3 when his older brother joined the LeRoy Merry Makers 4-H Club. Seven years later he felt like a “seasoned veteran” when he joined 4-H. Gary was active in the LeRoy Merry Makers club showing dairy and market beef until graduating from high school. Gary Stripe Both of Gary’s children were active LeRoy Merry Makers members showing sheep, horses, and beef until their graduation from high school. In 2012, the LeRoy Merry Makers 4-H Club was facing disbanding, with the possibility of only 3 members. Having two grandsons in Decatur County on the farm, Gary was hoping they would be members of his old 4-H club. Rather than disbanding the club Gary became the club leader. The first few years the club had a young group along with many Clover Kids. The club has now grown to over thirty members. According to Gary, his daughter-in-law is the wheel that keeps the club rolling. I am basically the club leader by title only. The club is one of the oldest in the state and Gary feels good knowing he contributed a little bit to keep it going.

2017 Decatur County: Dennis Hullinger

Dennis Hullinger (1944-1994) grew up in a 4-H family on the farm. The lessons he learned in 4-H helped him during his adult life as a farmer, and led him to be involved in many volunteer organizations. Community was important to him, particularly encouraging the youth of his community. He rarely missed a chance to cheer on his kids, or other kids, at a 4-H event, a school program or any kind of ballgame. He was always there with a pat on the back and a “Good job.” Growing up, Dennis was a member of the Woodland Willing Workers 4-H Club in Decatur County. He showed home-raised Angus cattle, as well as other projects, at the county fair and the Iowa State Fair. He enjoyed laughing and sharing stories of his youth with family and friends. As an adult, he supported 4-H by being a long-time member of the Decatur County Fair Board, 4-H Committee, Extension Council and leader of his son Benji’s 4-H club, the True Blue Workers. His wife, Judy (Duncan) also grew up in 4-H and was a leader of the True Blue 4-H club, of which their three daughters Brenda, Beverly and Cherlyn were members. His children were all 9-year members and exhibited a variety of projects at the county fair and Iowa State Fair, as well as shows throughout the Midwest. Through 4-H, he made many life-long friends, and never knew a stranger. Wherever Dennis went, he would bump into someone he knew and strike up a conversation. Dennis was a big man with an even bigger heart and was happiest when spending time with his family. They spent countless hours together, working on the farm, training 4-H calves and traveling to shows. He enjoyed the competition, but more important were the lessons learned from working hard and being proud of his accomplishments. He won Grand Champion Steer at the Decatur County Fair in 1957, but was even prouder 25 years later when daughter, Brenda, achieved the same honor. Grandson Justin Dennis Shields won Supreme Champion Market Beef at the Decatur County Fair in 2017, 60 years after Dennis. The next generation of Hullinger’s have continued to carry the 4-H torch. His children and grandchildren have been members of the Decatur County Fair Board and leaders of the Southern Trailblazers 4-H Club. Seven of his grandchildren have been 4-H members in Decatur County and have shown cattle along with many other projects. In addition to 4-H, Dennis was also involved in other community organizations. These included Cattlemen's Association, Farm Service Agency, Farm Bureau and the Lineville Lions Club. Whatever the task at hand, he showed up with a big smile, a strong back, and the willingness to help. For these reasons, we are happy to recognize Dennis Hullinger for his outstanding service to the Decatur County 4-H Program.

2010 Decatur County - Sandy Erickson

Sandy Erickson has been instrumental to the Decatur County 4-H program for nearly 40 years. Until recently, Sandy assumed many of the program management functions, including providing volunteer resources and managing the 4-H Blue Ribbon enrollment and recordkeeping process. The Extension Office is also the Fair Board’s business and management office. Therefore, besides handling most of the County Fair entry and clerical work, including the fair book and show order printing and running the county fair database, Sandy manages year-round scheduling and rental of the fairgrounds facilities. Additionally, with low funding resources, volunteer support is critical and Sandy serves the needs of these volunteers in a very helpful and knowledgeable fashion. For several years, she was both a 4-H parent and volunteer leader. She uses her experience to empathize with volunteers’ busy lives and schedules and gives extra effort to get necessary information to and from them. Her depth of knowledge of our communities and people within the county are invaluable to all staff and volunteers in program planning and recruitment in Decatur County.

2009 Decatur County - John & Zana McKibben

Statement by daughter (Serena Linn) about Zana: Mom was not one of the original leaders but did serve as a leader. She also in later years served on the Decatur County Fair Board. She was a true 4-Her. And it was fun to hear tales about her. Like, she made a fashion statement by wearing bib overalls to help do work at the fair grounds before it was vogue. I can remember Zana in those bibs at the county fair workdays and during much of the fair, working right along with the men, and putting many of them to shame. They tell the story of Zana becoming impatient with a crew roofing one of the livestock barns one day. She pulled off her shoes (so the slick soles would not slide on the surface I presume) and climbed barefoot onto the roof, hauling and nailing down shingles. Part of the crew had to get out of the way to prevent being nailed down with them! I also recall the story of a young, newly hired county extension director (wasn’t me) being chewed out by Zana for coming to the fair dressed in a suit and tie. She let him know that you came to the fair to work and those were not working clothes! About her father, Serena says: After being in the Garden Grove Go Getters girls club for several years, my sister and I wanted to have our horses in 4-H. Our dad’s philosophy was “if you have the ability to do something, then do it.” He allowed us to do things that many girls were not allowed to do because they were girls and girls in the 50’s and 60’s didn’t do those things. We joined the Centers Cheerful Chums Boys Club and boys, here we come, horses and all. … The first year we were not allowed to leave the horses at the County Fair. We brought them in, showed them and then returned home the same day. The second year, our dad and a couple of the other dads who had sons with horses decided they would help and the horses could stay. Another memory is that of Christmas Caroling. Dad would hook the hayrack to the tractor and drive it into Garden Grove. Then we would gather at one of the club members home, ride from house to house in the hayrack, singing to anyone who would listen, making sure we visited the elderly and the shut-ins. We would sing several songs and then leave them with a plate of Christmas goodies. Then we would go back to the club members home and have a soup supper. John and Zana both were a big help to me in those early years as a new county extension director, especially with the county fair and horse project. Their leadership, guidance, hard work, energy and especially love of youth and the 4-H program for over four decades makes them candidates long overdue for this 4-H Hall of Fame Award. A major regret for me is that it comes posthumously, but I have asked their children to accept this most deserved honor in their memory.

2008 Decatur County - Marlene & Jim Scott

Jim and wife Marlene have both been active, long-time supporters of the 4-H program in Decatur County. Jim, a former club member (1946-54), has served in various leadership roles since 1961. He has been a club leader or assistant leader over a 20 year period; serving on various county 4-H program committees, and mentoring numerous youth over the years, including many at-risk or learning-challenged youth from his special ed teaching classroom, who got the opportunity to care, manage and exhibit beef cattle from his farm near Leon. Marlene has assisted Jim over the years, also serving as a club leader or assistant club leader at various times, and mentoring many youth in FCS and Personal Development projects. Marlene served as an FCS teacher in local school systems for many years. Most of these youth would probably not have joined 4-H nor had the desire, physical and economical means or ability to carry these projects without the caring and involvement of Jim and Marlene. They literally have turned many kids’ lives around. For a number of years Jim has been the show ring announcer and EMCEE at the county fair, announcing virtually all county fair youth livestock shows, “Bottle Baby” shows, Celebrity Steer Show and Parade of Champions. In appreciation for his years of service and devotion, the Decatur County Fair Board renamed and dedicated the livestock show-ring the “Jim Scott Livestock Pavilion” in his honor in 2006.

2002 Decatur County - Lucille Deemer

Lucille began her association with 4-H as a youth member in Ringgold County. In Decatur County Lucille has worked in a number of leadership roles. She served as a community club leader from 1972-1984. During that time and beyond she has served on the Fair Board (several years as board secretary), 4-H Committee, various fair committees, and 4-H exhibit building superintendent, a role she continues in today. Lucille’s husband Ron and children Christine and David have been involved in member and leadership roles as well. In addition, Lucille has served on the Decatur County Extension Council since 1999, giving support and guidance to the youth program on a continuing basis. Lucille has attended judging workshops for a number of years and judges Family and Consumer Science project exhibits in several counties around the area. She has been very active in the county Farm Bureau organization, serving on and giving leadership to several committees, including Public Relations, Women’s, Policy and Annual meeting. She has also given much support to Farm Safety and Ag in the Classroom efforts, which have helped build partnerships with and support for Extension, 4-H and Youth programs in these areas as well.

Formatted and added to Decatur County IAGenWeb, July 2023. Source abstracted from: https://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/what-we-do/recognizing-service/iowa-4-h-hall-of-fame/iowa-4-h-hall-of-fame-inductees

Directories Index   *** Decatur County IAGenWeb