Posted on August 24, 2015 at 9:10 AM by Global Reach
For the past thirty-five years, John and Ruth Deutmeyer have spent time volunteering to support the 4-H program of Delaware County. They are the parents of four children; Jenifer Deutmeyer-McGovern, Pharm D, from Petersburg, Jason Deutmeyer, M.D., from Bettendorf, Iowa, Angela Fontaine, graphic artist/accountant, from Elgin, Illinois and Alex Deutmeyer, an electrical engineer in Seattle, Washington. All four children were active in the 4-H program for nine years. They have seven grandchildren, with one currently active in Delaware County 4-H.
John has been supportive of the 4-H program by hosting the beef weigh-ins at his business for many years. John and Ruth have donated to the 4-H program of Iowa for the past few years. John has always been on the home front to allow Ruth to participate in county and state events.
When their older daughter, Jenifer, was old enough to join 4-H, Ruth became a leader for the Petersburg Pepperettes club. The following year, Jason joined the club and Angela joined the next year. The club evolved into the Goal Diggers and then the Petersburg Achievers. After stepping down as leader for a few years, Ruth was active on the 4-H Foundation of Delaware County and was the county’s visual art project leader. Last fall she organized the Bear Creek Levis-n-Lace Club to accommodate the large enrollment in that part of the county.
During the past 35 years of involvement in 4-H, Ruth has not only served as a leader for a club but also served on the Extension
Council from 1988 until 1990, the Youth Committee from about 1990 until 1994 , the 4-H Foundation from 2008 until 2013 and served as a judge for county and state fairs since 1984. She presented a visual art workshop for state 4-H leaders and several workshops at the county level. Her club has offered a visual arts camp for local children, Ruth being the teacher, assisted by the older members of the club. This offered an art experience to local children who would have had to travel much farther for the same activity.
The 4-H program has been a great opportunity for the Deutmeyer family in many ways. The volunteering taught them to be good citizens and taught them innumerable skills that have carried them into adulthood. They are proud to say they are a 4-H famil
Categories: Delaware
