Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Julie Popenfoose was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers Thursday at the Home and Family Arts building at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
County President Marsha Miller said Popenfoose was born and raised in Kosciusko County, was a 10-year 4-H member, a 4-H leader and was active in her church. She has an associate’s degree from Purdue University.
She is married with two children and five grandchildren. Her husband served in the military and they lived in Texas and Washington state, and Popenfoose’s children were born during this time.
Upon returning to Kosciusko County, Popenfoose became involved in Extension Homemakers and served on many committees. She made presentations for the holiday programs, sang in the county chorus, served as county president and has many awards in 4-H and open class at the fair, Miller said. She was the superintendent of the needlework and quilt department of the open class during the fair.
The award was presented during their achievement celebration with the theme “Hats Off To You,” said DeeAnna Muraski, past county president. Extension Homemakers always try to have an achievement event, but for the past couple of years, they haven’t been able to do that, so that’s why it was a big deal for them to do it this year, she said.
During Thursday’s event, members had cookies and tea. Members were encouraged to wear hats and three different awards were given for hats.
Thursday was an excuse to get out of the house and celebrate each other, Muraski said.
During Thursday’s event, three members who died in the last year were remembered: Ann Gephart, Peggy Lenfesty and Darla McCammon. Gephart was in the Live and Learn Club, Lenfesty was in the Tippecanoe Township Club and McCammon was in Rural Neighbors.
County Secretary Carol Droke lit three candles for the members.
Droke said the thing she has enjoyed throughout the years, and believed other members did as well, was the friendships they make through Extension Homemakers over the years. When a member passes, Droke said it was fitting to remember them.
The days they shared live on, she said.
Anniversaries were also celebrated Thursday. The Kosciusko County Extension Chorus celebrated 85 years and the Rural Neighbors celebrated 65 years as a club.
There were eight individual anniversaries that were celebrated. Kim Goshert, Sherrill Hamman and Robin Shafer celebrated 25 years as Homemaker members; Sandy Wise celebrated 40 years, Alice Keirn celebrated 45 years, Barbara Romine celebrated 50 years and Julia Frush and Mary Beth Camden celebrated 65 years.
