Posted on August 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Global Reach
Susan Matlage-Simms grew up on a farm just outside of St. Marys, Iowa. Her father died when she was very young so the small cow herd and show calves were the total care and responsibility of herself and her siblings. She showed cattle at the Warren County Fair, Iowa State Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha and numerous weekend shows around the state. Her showing climax was exhibiting the Grand Champion Market Steer at the Warren County Fair in 1979 which was a home-grown calf. She also won cattle showmanship awards three years in a row at the Warren County Fair. 
When her own two children, Nathan and Megan, joined 4-H she became a leader for her childhood club, the Jackson Hilltoppers. Megan showed horses and Nathan showed market lambs. Even after her own kids graduated from 4-H she continued being the club leader which she continues to this day 15 years later.
She also serves on the local 4-H Youth Committee and the 4-H Foundation. Outside of 4-H, Susan has headed up the Martensdale-St. Marys School’s activity concession stands for over 15 years.
With her continued involvement in youth activities, Susan has maintained a unique relationship with the young people in western Warren County and they have benefited greatly from her guidance and tutelage. Susan lives just north of Martensdale on an acreage and works for Mercer in Des Moines as a senior consultant, guiding companies and schools across Iowa on health insurance plans for their employees. In her spare time, which she has very little of, she enjoys watching her son Nate race Figure 8 cars, going to family events, going to the movies and baking the best fruit pies around.
