Posted on August 21, 2023 at 2:10 PM by Emily Saveraid
The Poweshiek County recipient for the 2023 year is Louise Van Ersvelde. Louise was born and raised in Poweshiek County. She calls Deep River, Iowa her hometown with Brooklyn, Iowa as an adopted hometown when she married Roger Van Ersvelde in 1968. They started their livestock and grain farming operation in 1970.
Louise was a member of the Deep River Lassie's 4-H Club when it was only a “Girls 4-H Club”. Her favorite projects were sewing and cooking projects. Louise remembers doing a presentation on making brownies. The judge asked her how many batches of brownies she made prior to this. She replied about eighty as several were in the freezer. The judge commented to her that she could tell that she had practiced, and it was State Fair quality. Unfortunately, Louise was not eligible to compete at the State Fair with this project.
During her years of service, Louise was member of the Poweshiek County Extension Council from 1990 to 1998. Other organizations Louise has been involved include Poweshiek Farm Bureau, Poweshiek County/Iowa State Porkettes, Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa Corn Growers, Poweshiek Corn Growers, Iowa Soybean Association and one of her favorites has been the Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.
Other community organizations that Louise has volunteered her time include Pow I-80, Poweshiek County Development, Brooklyn Economic Development, Brooklyn Chamber, Brooklyn Ruritan Club and Ruritan National, Drag Racing Association of Women, and the Dollars for Scholars program for BGM School District.
Louise was employed for 19 years as the Business Manager for Nesselroad Chevrolet and later worked for the Brooklyn Chamber for 16 years plus helping her husband Roger on the farm.
Brooklyn Community friend, Rusty Clayton, stated that she is the energizer bunny of community service. Whenever there is a community project, they always wanted Louise to be on their team.
