Posted on August 22, 2022 at 12:20 PM by Cade Cameron
Cindy (Adams) Hanson is a lifelong Shelby County resident. Cindy grew up near Kirkman and graduated from Irwin Kirkman Community School in 1969.
Growing up, Cindy was a very active member of the Douglas Dixies 4-H club and Boots and Saddles 4-H club exhibiting clothing, food, and nutrition projects, as well as being active in showing her many 4-H horse projects, which was a family tradition. With her horse projects, she won many awards, not only at the county level but also at the Iowa State Fair and AkSarBen. In 1968 Cindy has crowned the Shelby County Fair Queen.
After high school, Cindy attended Commercial Extension School of Business and worked in Omaha. In 1971 she returned to Shelby County and married Karl Hanson where she became, and remains, a very active part of their farming operation near Kirkman. Cindy and Karl have four grown children, Stacy, Rachelle, Lisa, and Gabe. All were involved in Shelby County 4-H with the Douglas Dixies, Douglas Wise Owls, later combining with the Douglas DoRights, and Boots and Saddles 4-H clubs. Cindy spent many years as club leader for the Douglas clubs and Boots and Saddles club where she led project meetings, passing on her horse riding and other skills to the next generation. She organized horse shows as well as helped with all the other cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and other projects for the kids.
Cindy’s involvement in Shelby County 4-H and the county fair has truly been a lifelong family affair. Her husband Karl was a long-time Shelby County 4-H member and served many years on the Shelby County fair board with Cindy’s help in many of the volunteer capacities. Activities included organizing and staying involved in the 4-H and open class horse shows, working with the 4-H static exhibits and buildings, and now serving as one of the open class superintendents for the fair.
Cindy also stays busy through the summer supporting her 10 grandchildren who are also active 4-H members in their counties with various static and livestock projects including, horses, cattle, hogs, and their many other school activities.
