2008 Winneshiek County - Madelyn "Maddy" Wise

Maddy was born in 1933 to Leo & Mary Willson ~ a farm family in northern Winneshiek County.  She attended and graduated from high school in Canton, Minnesota.  In October 1956 she married Wilbur Wise.  To this union, 5 children were born; Ann, David, Ruth, Halley & Dick.

Maddy was an active partner on the farm from 1956 to 1988 when she moved in to Decorah.  During her years on the farm, she was the family homemaker and managed a big garden and yard--in addition to helping milk and manage the dairy herd.  The family farm included crops, dairy, beef & hogs.

Maddy was a dedicated “4-H Mom” with all of her children participating in 4-H in the Pleasant Livewires & Pleasant Pushers.  She assisted with animal, sewing, woodworking, cooking, craft, gardening (and other) projects over the years.  She helped 4-H Leaders whenever possible and was an avid supporter of the monthly meetings and County Fair.

Maddy has been a life-long vegetable and flower gardener.  This true love led her to take an ISU-E Master Gardener class in ____.  She has remained active in the local Master Gardener Group and continually finds ways to pursue and share her love of gardening.  She is known for her small yard with its abundant variety of perennial flower favorites!

Maddy has served on the Winneshiek County Extension Council, Pine Bluff Board, and cooked for summer camps at the Pine Bluff campground.  She and her sister Martha also managed the 4-H restaurant at the county fair for several years.  She has always enjoyed being involved in activities with youth.  At the county fair she has been active in many of the cooking competitions and has taken part in the flower exhibits as well as volunteering to monitor the Exhibitor building a number of years.  Since becoming a Master Gardener she has helped with the First Graders Tree Program for numerous years and participates in the Annual Master Gardeners Plant Sale.

Most of Maddy’s 10 grandchildren have participated in 4-H and/or FFA and have been involved in the County Fair.  Currently she has seven grandchildren that are members of the Hesper Helper’s 4-H club.

Maddy’s Life: “The 3 Fs”
Maddy has lived a life of service centered around Family, Faith, & Friends.  She has a passion for relationships.  She has always valued “neighbors” and knows how to be a good one.  Her gifts to others are the fruits of her labor…in her kitchen or her garden.  She has given—and continues to give-- many hours in community volunteer activities.  She has relied on her agricultural background, family values and strong work ethic to guide a family as a single parent for the last 32 years and serve her community at the same time.