Posted on August 18, 2014 at 9:29 AM by Global Reach
It was 1943 when Scott County’s inductee, Jeanette (Keppy) Korthaus, joined 4-H at age 10. After 11 years, she graduated from 4-H. Since then she has continued as a 4-H volunteer to develop the skills of youth and adults.
She was Scott County 4-H vice president, counselor at 4-H Camp Abe Lincoln, shortstop on the state champion 4-H softball team and delegate to Camp Miniwanca in Michigan for earning the state 4-H leadership award. She also accompanied her leader to ask neighbors to donate to the proposed Camp Madrid, that now is called the Iowa 4-H Camping Center. As a 4-H’er, she also asked Sheridan Township neighbors to buy WWII war bonds.
Jeanette and her husband, Alvin, supported their three children in 4-H. Jeanette was a volunteer 4-H leader for the Hickory Grove Blue Belles for 30 years. She presented many educational county 4-H workshops on creating floral arrangements. She continues to judge flower arrangements at the Mississippi Valley Fair; her informative comments educate 4-H’ers and fairgoers, and many gather to learn from her as she evaluates each exhibit and shares the positives and ideas for improvement. She also served on the Scott County Home Economics Advisory Committee to promote extension programs to new audiences.
Jeanette continues to exhibit, teach and judge at area floral shows. She is a member of Country Gardeners Garden Club. She and her husband served many years as superintendents of the open class Floriculture Department at the Mississippi Valley Fair. The MVF honored the Korthauses as long-term dedicated volunteers.
They also served the Scott County Pork Producers as president. Their farm near Walcott was named a Century Farm in 1976, the first year of the program.
Scott County is proud to recognize Jeanette Korthaus for more than 70 years of dedication to 4-H to make the best better.
Categories: Scott
