Posted on August 31, 2026 at 1:52 PM by Anna Egan
Brenda's lifelong commitment to service has been shaped by her dedication to 4-H, nursing, education, and her community. Although she was not a 4-H member growing up in Ponca, Nebraska, she says she "joined" 4-H when her own children became members in 2000.
She served as leader of the Mapleton Starspinners 4-H Club from 2000–2012 and, with her daughter Megan, founded the Monona County 4-H Cooking Club in 2010. The club taught valuable life skills to local youth until the COVID-19 pandemic ended it in 2020. Brenda has also spent more than 20 years as a 4-H judge, including serving as a Communications judge at the Iowa State Fair, and has been a Monona County superintendent for the Home Improvement, Communications, and Dog project areas for 15 years. Her dedication has earned her both the 4-H Leader of the Year Award and the 4-H Honorary Member Award.
Brenda and her husband, Dale, have been married for 38 years and have three children—Alex, Jon, and Megan—all former 4-H'ers who continue to give back as 4-H judges. Brenda and Megan currently serve together as Communications and Dog superintendents. They are also proud grandparents of five grandchildren, including two Clover Kids.
A registered nurse for 39 years, Brenda has worked in home care, hospice, and long-term care. She earned her BSN, MSN, and DNP from Morningside University and is currently an Assistant Professor in Morningside University's graduate nursing program. She also volunteers with FFA, St. Mary's Catholic Church, and as an Iowa High School Speech Association judge, continuing her lifelong commitment to serving others.
