Annual Ricketts Leadership Award Brunch

Wayne and Wonnie Kuhlmann, recipients of the 2009 Ricketts Leadership Award

Wayne Kuhlmann:
- Born and raised in the Ricketts area where he has spent his entire life
- Graduated from Charter Oak High School
- Served 4 years in the US Navy aboard the USS Pilot, a navy mine sweeper
- Worked for 40 years at Farmers Savings Bank/Farmers State Bank (Ricketts & Schleswig) holding the positions of bookkeeper, teller, assistant cashier, cashier, Executive Vice President and served on the Board of Directors
- Has served as President and Treasure of the Crawford County Banker's Association
- Served many years on the Ricketts City Council and also served as City Clerk and Treasure
- Served as Soldier Township Clerk
- Served on many community committees helping to organize the first community club, serving as President, Secretary and Treasure
- Member of the VFW where he served as adjutant as well as being a member of the American Legion where he served as commander
- Is a charter member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in which he held many offices and still serves the church whenever and however he can
- Was a charter member of the Charter Oak Tri-Community Medical Board where he served as treasure for 33 years
- Served as a volunteer on the Ricketts Fire Department for 20 + years
- Played 20 + years of fast-pitch softball with both the Ricketts Firemen squad and Schleswig clubs
- Is an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and New York Yankees

Wonnie Kuhlmann:
- Born and raised in Schleswig
- Graduate of Schleswig HS and Morningside College
- Has resided in Ricketts since she married Wayne Kuhlmann in 1958
- Taught for 32 1/2 half years in the Schleswig Community School system in both Schleswig and Ricketts
- Has continued to substitute teach in Schleswig since her retirement from full-time teaching 1998
- Served on numerous committees in regards to the planning of Ricketts Steam & Antique Show celebrations
- Worked wherever needed to make the celebrations go off without a hitch; including setup and teardown of stands, building of floats for community organizations, etc.
- Served on committees in preparation for both the 75th and 100th anniversaries/celebrations for Ricketts
- Involved with the Rick-ettes
- Very active member St. Luke's Lutheran Church
- Helped with the organization of the 50th Aniversary of St. Luke's in 1999
- Involved in Ladies Aid, LWML and has held many offices in those organizations
- Enjoys gardening, the Iowa Hawkeyes and frequent trips to the local casinos to go "nickeling" (gambling)

The whole Kuhlmann Klan. Almost, unfortunately, their their daughter and her family couldn't come because of the weather, dense fog kept them home in Omaha.

Ruth and Alva Lil introduce this year's award winners