Posted on August 19, 2019 at 1:24 PM by Global Reach
Ruth has been involved in 4-H starting as a youth in Sioux County. Her projects consisted of sewing, gardening, baking and canning, and showing beef cattle. These experiences led her to furthering her education at Iowa State University with a degree in home economics. Following her college education, she taught high school home economics for 4 years. 
After Ruth married and began raising her 3 children, she also began volunteering as a leader with the Lester 4-H club starting in 1972 and continuing for 25 years. She has also volunteered her time by judging various contests for other county 4-H programs.
Beginning in the 1980’s, Ruth began employment with the South Dakota State University Extension in Lincoln County that continued for more than 15 years. She was part of the Expanded Food and Nutrition program that ran programs assisting lower income and immigrant families in making healthy food choices and helping to stretch the food dollar.
She has been a Sunday School teacher, Bible school teacher and director for Bethel Reformed Church of Lester at various times.
Ruth has seen 4-H and Extension as a way to give back to her community. It has also afforded her the ability to meet people of the community and have involvement with them. She has found great joy in giving back and helping young people.
4-H gave her the foundation that allowed her to show her skills and beliefs and share them with others.
