… HomemakerLincoln Since she was 13, Helen (Hanson) Sweeter, 77, has played the organ for West Prairie Lutheran Church. Through every stage of her life as an Augustana College nursing student; a newlywed and mother; as a career woman; and finally in retirement the 2015 Eminent Homemaker has shared music with the congregation, neighbors, friends and vocal groups. "Music always came easily to me. I believe I need to use my God-given talents, abilities and time not just for myself and my family - but for my community," says Sweeter, who … her great aunt, Dilla Wimple, helped establish in 1921; today it is among the longest running extension clubs in South Dakota. A member for more than 50 years, Sweeter helped start an Open Class Division at the Lincoln County Achievement Days. "We needed to provide this opportunity for adults, many of whom were 4-H graduates, to remain involved in the fair and have …
… passion with her children, grandchildren and neighbors. Her basement serves as a summer classroom for art lessons where she has taught music, painting and writing to children from the community. Jan has been an active member of the Mellette County Historical Society, South Dakota State Historical Society, White River s Woman s club, United Methodist Church Choir, Mellette County Chamber of Commerce and the Order of Eastern Star. She is a long-time 4-H volunteer and supporter of SDSU Extension. She volunteers at the museum at least once a week, writes articles for the local newspaper, plays piano and sings in the choir at the United Methodist Church, and tells stories to preserve the heritage and history of Mellette County. Because of her efforts, the Mellette County Historical …
… Ludwig Hohm 2019 Eminent Leader in Agriculture, Family, and CommunityBeadle Beadle County farmer, Ludwig Hohm, is devoted to leaving the land he farms and the community he lives in a better place for future generations. Hohm runs a diversified … value being a good steward of the land. My goal is to leave the land in a better condition than when I started farming it,” he said. Hohm farmed with his dad for 40 years until his passing three years ago. Hohm also runs a custom hay grinding business and sells farm equipment. In addition, he previously owned an implement dealership in Webster for 21 years and sold … who really care about the community and are extraordinary volunteers,” he said. For 43 years he has been involved on various boards and committees of the school he attended growing up, James Valley Christian School in Huron. He currently serves as chairman of the school’s building committee, in which he has helped guide the school through several major expansion …
… of rearing her children “by example and precept” was one of her most important duties. The family loved music and spent many of their leisure hours with musical instruments and group singing. Strand was a member of the Christian and Lutheran Churches. She always played an active part in community affairs and helped organize the home extension club and the … active part in the community and in farm women’s organizations for the next five or six years after her recognition as a Master Farm Homemaker. She and her husband were honored in an open house by the children to commemorate their fortieth wedding anniversary in June 1949. About 125 friends and relatives gathered to congratulate them. inline--right … Chlora Delpha …
… Ivan L. Barkley 1959 Eminent FarmerFall River Ivan L. Barkley was born in Cherokee County, Iowa, April 12, 1886. His education includes two years of prep school at Morningside College and one year of pharmacy at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Barkley apparently had no plans as a young man of becoming a South Dakota rancher. He needed money to finish his pharmacy studies so he went to Fall River County and filed a homestead claim. He planned to prove up on the claim, sell out and return to school. That was 50 years ago. He is still on the homestead which has now grown to more than 7,200 acres. Ivan Barkley and Esther Swanberg were …
… Laura Kirsch 1979 Eminent HomemakerMellette Laura Kirsch is a teacher. She has devoted more than 50 years of her life to that vocation. Because of her dedication and commitment to her students over the years, as well as her contributions to church and community, Kirsch was honored by the South Dakota Board of Regents and South Dakota State University as 1979 Eminent Homemaker. She remembers graduating from Freeman Academy with a first grade certificate in 1926 “when teachers were a dime a dozen and openings were few and far between.” She finally found a position in Mellette County, and is still teaching after 50 years. Kirsch credits the German and Russian children she taught in … her into an effective teacher. “A few of them couldn’t speak English and I had to learn to teach simply and clearly. I literally had to put my hands under their minds and bring them up educationally. They taught me to be a real teacher.” After 18 years of teaching in the area, her husband Clarence entered politics and the couple moved into town. However, the White …
… Arthur Justice 1951 Eminent HomemakerBrookings Arthur Justice was born in Illinois and raised on a farm. She came with her parents and a sister and three brothers to Brookings County when she was 15-years-old. Justice graduated … nine children, Justice guided her youngsters into interests that would profit them all their lives. All of the children can play one or more musical instruments; several of them can sing. She gave constant encouragement for their going to college. All the children are active in church, high school and college activities. Justice has done all the sewing for her … house plants and garden flowers. Justice has served several years as a 4-H club leader. She is member of the North View Extension club and the Wednesday club. One of her proudest accomplishments is her apple orchard. Because her parents had always had an orchard, she was determined to have one. She made many six-mile trips to bring seedlings from her old home for …
… Gettysburg. She organized the River's Edge and Progressive Homemakers Extension Clubs, and is now an active member of the Good Luck Club. Recently, she was responsible for reviving open class exhibits at the Potter County Fair. She has held several clothing construction workshops for 4-H members, and gave of her time to privately tutor 4-H members in sewing construction. She served as judge for neighboring counties dress reviews and county fair competition. She served 17 years as a home economics teacher in Agar and Gettysburg, and was a strong, positive influence for youth. She also served as advisor to the Future Homemakers … on the Potter-Sully Farmers Home Administration Board and was a Girls State Counselor in 1973. She is an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving on the Church Board, singing in choir, and teaching Sunday school classes. Jeannette is a charter member of the Potter County Republican Women, serving as secretary for six years and delegate to several …
… Janice Snyder 1984 Eminent HomemakerMeade Twenty-one years after her father, Enos Blair, had been named Eminent Farmer, Janice Snyder received the Eminent Homemaker honor. As a young bride in 1929, Janice saw her husband's mother fear the electric stove "because it had too many buttons. "It was at that point she resolved for herself that she would keep up with the newest appliances forever and not be afraid to learn or change. "But," she said with a twinkle, "my calculator with all those buttons has about got me beat." Her quest for … to build a new house in 1945, she headed straight for the Meade County Extension Office where she picked up bulletins and fact sheets and planned--for four years. She looked at magazines, studied house plans and construction methods, learned about modern conveniences and appliances, drew plans, built furniture and appliances to scale and arranged them inside …
… John Gross 2008 Eminent FarmerLake John Gross is recognized for his outstanding achievements in breeding and development of the Holstein breed of dairy cattle. He accomplished this through his own herd, and later as a Holstein Association classifier and technical supervisor. He served as a member of the national board of directors for the Holstein Association. His efforts to bring integrity to the association led to a new leadership structure. …