Posted on August 22, 2024 at 5:00 PM by Emily Saveraid
Dale Paul Wegner grew up on the Robert and Shirley Wegner family farm between Manning and Aspinwall on the Crawford County side of the Carroll-Crawford County line. He was the fifth of seven children: Debra, Tommy, David, Nancy, Bruce and Kyle.
During his 4-H years, he was a member of the Manning Win-or-Grin 4-H Club. Dale and his siblings showed cattle at the Carroll County Fair and participated in other 4-H activities.
Dale remembers attending 4-H meetings at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, with leader Larry Genzen and others showing the way for the club’s members. He attended 4-H Camp which provided memories that have lasted a lifetime. Belonging to 4-H taught a number of life skills that are still being used today, including record-keeping, public speaking, and public service.
The 4-H pledge provided guidance for Dale throughout his career, working at newspapers in Denison, Sibley and Sac City. He offered space in each of the newspapers for the 4-H clubs to share their minutes of their meetings and photos of their activities.
In 2003, The Sac Sun received the Meritorious Service Award from Sac County 4-H. Dale received a Sac County 4-H Honorary Member Award in 2014. In 2023, he received the Sac County Alumni Award. “I’ve always believed it is important to recognize the 4-H kids for the work they put in every year to meet the tenants of the 4-H Pledge, with clearer thinking, loyalty, service and better living for everyone. The example they set for their fellow club members and all around them certainly shows in all that they accomplish.”
