Posted on August 8, 2013 at 11:40 AM by Global Reach
Having grown up on a farm in rural Ringgold County, Leland Dolecheck quickly gained a passion for the land and livestock. After high school he served two years in the armed services and then attended college at Iowa State University. In 1961 he received a job as an Ag teacher and FFA Advisor with Clarke Community High School in Osceola and taught there until he retired in 1991. Leland said, “I will never forget moving to Osceola and one of my first volunteer projects was helping pour a concrete floor in the new hog building at the fairgrounds on the hottest day in July.”
Leland and wife Sandra have three children who were also very active in 4-H, mainly showing hogs and some sheep. He now has grandchildren who are members of 4-H. Leland also farmed while being a teacher, but recently sold all his livestock and land to one of his sons who continues to farm in Ringgold County. However, he still continues to farm with his son on 50/50 shares.
Over the years, Leland has been a huge contributor to the community in a variety of ways. He has been a trustee for their church, was on the South Central Housing committee, a member of the Farm Bureau and Clarke County Cattlemen, charter member for the Optimist Club, president of the Lions Club, secretary for the Iowa VO Ag Teachers Association, and was a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Board. Leland most recently served on the Clarke County Fair Board for six years and is currently a representative on the 4-H and Youth Committee and 4-H Endowment Committee.
In his spare time he really enjoys attending different fairs and watching livestock shows. He also has an interest in old farm machinery. Leland says, “I’m a workaholic, I just really like to keep busy.” Leland has never missed the Clarke County fair since he moved here in 1961 and hopes to continue that tradition.
Categories: Clarke
