Sunday, February 9, 2025
Don & Jane Heaser familyCurt Oeltjenbruns& Mary Buck family.Norbert Scherger’s family.Warren Fay’s family.Adeline Schletty’s family.Willie & Karen Naatz and family.

Fair Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024

Each year the Dodge County Fair recognizes those who have made contributions to the fair as well as the Dodge County Farm Family of the year. Those inducted into the Hall of Fame on the final day of the 2024 fair include:

Curt Oeltjenbruns & Mary Buck Family

Curt and Mary and their family have been active at the Dodge County Fair for many years. Curt was president of the Kasson-Mantorville FFA and showed pigs and beef at the fair. The Oeltjenbruns’ kids are Jolynn, Elyse, Brady, and Buck. They were all 4-H and FFA members, exhibiting dairy cattle at the county fair plus the Minnesota State Fair for many years. Buck, the youngest son, finished up his 4-H career last year and now is involved in the farming operation that includes 600 acres and 130 beef animals plus they do custom work.

Mary grew up in Goodhue County on a dairy farm and for many years organized the open dairy show at the Goodhue County Fair. Mary has been a 4-H leader for over 40 years and now teaches advanced animal ethics training in the county. Each 4-Her that wishes to show at the State Fair must take this course.

Curt and Mary have been married for 25 years and off the farm Mary has been involved with the ADA Board for many years, while Curt was a former Farm Bureau Young Farmer of the Year, and their farm was named Conservation Farm of the Year several years ago. The fair wishes to thank Curt and Mary for their years of contributions to the fair.

Don and Jane Heaser Family

The Heaser family has been exhibiting livestock at the Dodge County Fair for many years. Don and Jane have been married for 47 years and met while serving in the Peace Corp in Africa. Jane grew up in New York State and Don in Jackson, Minn. They have lived in Dodge County since 1976. Their three children Andrew, Dana, and Leah, showed pigs and beef at the fair and had several State Fair trips along the way.

Jane worked in Extension for a few years when Dave Hanson was the County Agent. Jane serves on the extension committee in the county and they help select the Dodge County Farm Family of the Year. Don and Jane both worked for Mayo for over 30 years. After retirement they enjoy their time at the family cabin in Wisconsin.

Their son, Andrew has since taken over the acreage and beef operation and is also the Dodge County Highway Supervisor. Andrew’s children are now involved with 4-H at the fair with beef and other projects as members of the Canisteo Young Farmers 4-H club. This year they exhibited the Champion and Reserve Cow Calf pair during the beef show.

Remembering Friends of the Fair

Warren Fay

For over 50 years Warren Fay and his wife LaDonna farmed in the Byron area where they raised seven children. Warren loved farming and was a strong supporter of Dodge County 4-H and FFA programs, especially the 4-H ribbon auction which this year raised over $80,000! We wish to thank the Fay family for their many years of support.

Norbert Scherger

Norbert along with his wife Deloris farmed near Dodge Center where they raised three daughters. Norbert and his family were very involved with the Dodge County 4-H program.

 

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Dodge County Independent

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