2017 40 YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
Eugene Otto Steinocker is from Summit, SD. Eugene is our first recipient and has served on his board for the past 40 years. He has been supervisor on the Blooming Valley Township in Grant County since 1977.
Eugene and his wife, Rhonda have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.
David Sibson of Mitchell, SD served as treasurer on the Perry Township Board in Davison County for 40 years. David and his wife Joyce are the parents of children Randy, Brian, Kevin and Patrick, step children Kim, Dean, Lisa & Chris. They are the grandparents of 15 + 1 on the way and great grandparents of 3 + 1 on the way. David farmed for 40 years and was a bus driver for 14 years and is now in much deserved retirement.
Don Klinknerfrom Artesian, SD has served on the Benedict Township Board, Sanborn County since 1976. This year will be his 41styear serving on that board and he is the chairman. Don and his wife Karen, who is a dietitian have three children, Diane Hale, Kristen Rosenberg and Derek Klinkner. They have been blessed with six granddaughters.
Don has served on many other boards and groups. They include past chairman of the local Sanborn County Soil Conservation District, past area director of the Soil Conservation and member of the State Conservation Board. He is also a past member of the board of directors for Prairie Village, Madison, SD and a founding board member of the Artesian Community Improvement Association. Don is a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, the church’sfinancial council and a member of the Knights of Columbus First through Fourth Degree.
Adrian Heitmannof Lake City, SDhas been the mayor or president of the town of Lake City for 41 years. Adrian is a retired elementary education teacher. He and his wife Deena have a son Matthew & daughter-in-law LaRissa. Adrian is also the President of the Board of Trustees for the Marshall County Healthcare facility.
Robert Westendorfof Kimball, SD has served on the Waldro Township, Brule County board for 41 years. Robert’s occupation is farming. He is a widow with 5 children. They are Mike, Brad, Dale, Cale and Bryce Westendorf. He also has 11 grandchildren. Robert has been a member of American Legion Drips Post 130 for 47 years.
Jake Hafner of Alpena, SD has served as either the chairman or supervisor on the Beadle County, Carlyle Township Board for 44 years. He is a supervisor this year. Jake has spent his lifetime farming with his brother Tom and is currently an active farmer. He also served on the Alpena Coop Board for many years.
John Sigdestad of Bristol, SD served as clerk on the Lynn Township Board in Day County for 45 years. John is a farmer. The children of John & his wife Beth are Scott, Bonnie, Jodie & Jane. They have 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. John served on the Bergan church board in various positions. He served 22 years on the Farm Service Agency board. John also served on the Bethesda Foundation board, Bethesda home board and served as secretary & treasurer when Day County organized the Day County Township Association.
Floyd Morrison of Mitchell, SD served as a Davison County, Perry Township supervisor for 47 years. Floyd also served on the Mitchell Rural Fire Association for 30 years. Floyd & his wife Shirley, a retired registered nurse, have 3 children, Roger Morrison, Jeffrey Morrison and Sue Voeltz. They are grandparents to 5 children and great-grandparents to 8 children.
Melvin Roghairof Okaton, SD has served for the past 48 years as supervisor on the Scovil Township Board in Jones County. Melvin and his wife Clarice have seven children, 28 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren!
He has served many years on the Byron Bible Camp board, 33 years and currently serving on the National Agricultural Statistics Board. He is an active member of Farmers Union Co-op, and Okaton Evangelical Free Church.
Leroy Leonard Krageof Aberdeen, SD is last but certainly not least with an impressive history of serving on the Ravinia Township Board, Brown County for a total of 53 years beginning in 1951 taking a short break in 1966 and retiring in 2012. He and his wife Linda have 5 children, Sheryl, Wayne, Kevin, Hal and Alvin, 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Leroy is a past Director of the South Dakota Simmental Association.
Thank you allfor selflessly serving all these years for the good of your townships. Your hard work & dedication is much appreciated. Let’s give these guys a round of applause!!