Posted on August 21, 2023 at 1:46 PM by Emily Saveraid
Muscatine County Extension and Outreach is honored to nominate Shirley Grimm for the 2023 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Shirley grew up in a 4-H family. Her parents served as 4-H leaders for 20+ years so it was only natural that she and her three siblings all became members. She fondly remembers helping her parents as they organized county wide dances. She received a State Award in Food & Nutrition and was selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress. When asked about her experience in 4-H, Shirley says, “Those were the best of years of my life!” She shared her love of 4-H with her own two children and served as a volunteer.
In 1999, Shirley joined the Muscatine County Extension staff as the Office Manager and retired in 2020. With her extensive knowledge and experience in 4-H, Shirley was a constant for 20 years in providing support to 4-H youth, families, leaders, volunteers, and staff. Every year during the county fair, she made sure show programs were prepared, printed, and delivered to the fairgrounds in time for each event. She was known for doing whatever was necessary to get the job done. For the Ribbon Auction, Shirley sent letters to sponsors, served as the clerk during the sales, and made sure each youth received their check. Because of Shirley’s meticulous organizational skills, Muscatine County 4-H rarely had any controvers.
One of Shirley’s former colleagues, Daleta Thurness, shares, “She was up for solving any problem before her, but what I will remember most fondly is her care for each person for whom she came in contact. Not only was Shirley a great contributor to 4-H, but someone who also truly believed and embodied Making the Best Better.”
Shirley’s deep understanding of 4-H and Extension work, ability to build relationships, and genuine desire to help others made her an invaluable asset to Muscatine County 4-H and Extension.
