Posted on August 23, 2020 at 12:00 PM by Global Reach
Kathy Goodwin is a Woodbury County 4-H alumna. She belonged to the Banner Planners 4-H club in the 60’s and her mother, Bev Hoelker, was a 4-H leader to the club. She exhibited at the Woodbury County Fair in home economic type projects. She also happens to be Woodbury County’s first fair queen. 
Kathy was the office manager for the Woodbury County Extension Office in the early 90’s and retired in December 2010. During her work years at the office, she played an important role for the 4-H department during the county fair. She helped the auctioneer during the annual pie sale, printed livestock show programs, answered questions, made sure news releases were filled out correctly and spent time setting up the office and taking it down, which is no easy task. She even recruited her husband and father-in-law to volunteer their time to build storage shelving that houses all the 4-H equipment and supplies used during the county fair.
After retirement Kathy continues to volunteer for 4-H. She can be found helping in the Varied Industries Building on judging day with setting up the refreshment table for 4-H judges, superintendents, and helpers. This is over 100 people she helps on 4-H judging day. This may seem like a small task, but it is so important, and much appreciated by volunteers and staff. It is one less duty that the 4-H staff must worry about. She also assists with any odd jobs for the 4-H staff and volunteers and helps wherever she is needed. Kathy has recruited her sister Shari to volunteer on judging day. Kathy also volunteers at the church food stand during the county fair and always makes several of her famous pies to donate.
Kathy was married to Bill for 40 years and has two children and six grandchildren: Todd and wife Nicole and their children Madison, McKenzie, Beau and Blakely; Tricia and her husband Brent and their two children Eli and Milo. Kathy’s husband died in 2008 following a 5-year battle with ALS. Kathy loves spending time with her family and friends.
Kathy has always been generous of her time to others and is always willing to help the 4-H program. She is active in her church and her community of Lawton, Iowa. Kathy’s families and friends are very proud of her and happy that she is receiving this year’s 2020 4-H Hall of Fame nomination for Woodbury County.
