LE MARS, Iowa — Iris Hemmingson of Plymouth County was inducted into the 2019 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 18. Ninety-six Iowa counties participated this year and selected 135 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation President, Curt Lang, State 4-H Program Leader, Debbie Nistler, as they were introduced on stage.
Iris Hemmingson got her 4-H roots started in Mitchell County. She was a member from age 10 through high school graduation. She then attended Iowa State University to study Home Economics because of her connection with the ISU Home Economist while in high school. She felt it was a valuable degree any woman could attain for managing a family, household, and caring for a husband.
Following college she married Dr. Les Hemmingson. They would settle in Plymouth County in 1965 where she became active in the Le Mars community. She helped start the first all-day kindergarten in which she was the classroom aid. She later became the Food Service Supervisor at Floyd Valley Hospital. She also worked for the state health department for area nursing homes. Iris is very active in preserving the history of Le Mars, where she serves on the Historical Preservation Committee. She also coached Little League and served as a Girl Scout leader. She received the Mainstreet Volunteer of the Year award in 2012.
Iris’s contributions to 4-H began during her college years. She would help 4-H’ers during the summers with their fair exhibits and other 4-H activities in Appanoose and Washington counties. She then judged numerous county fairs throughout the state of Iowa. Les and Iris have two daughters, Kaaren Hemmingson Eidea and Dr. Marta Hemmingson-Van Beek. She encouraged them to participate and do 4-H projects because she felt they would help them for the rest of their life whether making linens, restoring furniture, or learning how to select a wardrobe. Iris help start a 4-H club in Plymouth County and would later be a leader of the Young Americans 4-H Club. She has volunteered on the Fair Communications Committee for many years and served on the 4-H & Youth Committee. She currently still serves on the Record Keeping & Awards Committee, Fair Sub-Committee, and is a Plymouth County Fair volunteer. Iris states that 4-H is a valuable and worthwhile activity for youth. It stretches each person in ways that are suitable for them. It encourages organization and teaches skills they will use forever.
As Plymouth County 4-H’s longest serving volunteer of 44 years, volunteers, staff and 4-H members have been blessed to have learned and worked alongside Iris as she has shaped the lives of so many young people in Plymouth County!
Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Ann Schoenrock, Plymouth County Extension Program and Youth Coordinator. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.
“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid.
“This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H stakeholder and partnership development manager.
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2019 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select “Recognition” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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