Klecker receives VIP award

ELLSWORTH – The Most Admired Senior Citizens are chosen each year for their community service, dedication to helping their neighbors, and for their all-around contributions to making Pierce County a great place to live. This year’s honorees were Peggy Rother of Maiden Rock and Joanne Baier of Elmwood.

Liz Pickerign nominated Baier, who could not attend the ceremony due to medical issues. Pierce County Fair Manager Ann Webb read Pickerign’s nomination form, which described Baier as someone who “gives tirelessly of herself, leading by example, who is dedicated to serving her community.”

Baier served as the Director of Library Services in Pierce County for 36 years. During her tenure, she opened two new libraries in Pierce County and helped facilitate the Books by Mail program. For 25 years she served as the Elmwood Public Library Director.

She is also known for being the organizer of the only Sesquicentennial celebration in Pierce County, Webb said. She also co-authored a Sesquicentennial book and has been the curator, along with husband Jim, of an extensive history collection which she initiated in 2005.

She has published articles in the National Library Journal and served as a correspondent for the Spring Valley-Elmwood Sun-Argus newspaper for the past 26 years. She has served on the Elmwood Village Board and as the village’s Chief Election Inspector. She has taught Sunday School at Spring Lake Lutheran Church, founded the Elmwood Enrichment Club, and been a huge part of the Elmwood Homemaker’s Club.

For 62 years, she has enjoyed constructing dollhouse miniatures, which she has shown at the Pierce County Fair. She and husband Jim, who have been married for 51 years, also enjoy spending time with their daughterAmy, son-in-law Ben and grandchild Bailey.

Maiden Rock resident and long-time

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor MOST ADMIRED

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4-H leader Evy Johnson nominated Peggy Rother for Most Admired Senior Citizen. Rother works tirelessly to write, lay out and publish the Maiden Rock Press newspaper, which she also delivers and mails. The local paper is a well-loved part of the Maiden Rock community, especially for its photography and letters to the editor sections, Webb read.

Rother retired from Red Wing Shoe Company after 35 years of service. Each year, a $500 grant in Rother’s name is awarded to a local organization.

Rother is also one of three volunteers who greets bicyclists at the Maiden Rock rest area during the Tour de Pepin bike race. She not only welcomes them to the area, but serves them water and food.

“She is the most wonderful and caring friend,” Johnson wrote in her nomination form.

Rother also volunteers at the Pierce County Food Shelf, helping people to pick out groceries. She serves on the Hunger Prevention Council Board and the Pierce County Housing Authority Board.

She works hard to make Maiden Rock shine as part of the Maiden Rock Area Community Association and Senior Citizens Center. Her efforts do not go unnoticed in helping put together Summerfest and the Christmas in the Village celebration.

Rother also enjoys keeping the flowerbeds around Maiden Rock looking their best, camping, and spending time with her family.

VIP Award

Also honored at Friday’s ceremony was Rock Elm’s Troy Klecker, who received the VIP Award for District 2 at the Association of Fairs Annual Convention in January 2020 at Wisconsin Dells.

Webb said each county fair can nominate people who go above and beyond to help make their county fair a success. The VIP award honors a non-fair board member.

Klecker joined Pierce County 4-H in 1977. He has served as a project leader and superintendent for the junior computer department since 2011, junior electricity (since 1989) and junior woodworking (since 1994).

“Troy never says no,” Webb said. “He steps up and manages his three department areas and takes tasks of my plate.”

He is active in the modular construction and robotics projects as well, hosting many robotics build days. He helps clean the animal barns after the fair is finished and is a source of information for many 4-H families.

“He just does whatever needs to be done,” Webb said.

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Pierce County Fair Manager Ann Webb presented Maiden Rock’s Peggy Rother (center) with the Most Admired Senior Citizen Award at the Pierce County Fair on Friday, Aug. 13. Evy Johnson (right) nominated Rother for the award.

Pierce County Fair Superintendent Troy Klecker received the VIP award for District 2 at the Association of Fairs Annual Convention in January 2020 at Wisconsin Dells. Pierce County Fair Manager Ann Webb honored his accomplishment during a ceremony Friday, Aug. 13 in the picnic shelter.