Meet the Wisconsin 4-H 2026 Hall of Fame Laureates! These 4-H volunteers, financial supporters, staff and pioneers made major contributions to the 4-H movement at local, state and national levels.
The Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame laureates represent 4-H in the broadest sense — people who had an impact on the lives of children, their community or state through significant contributions of time, energy or financial resources to 4-H and its members. The Hall of Fame was established in 2014 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 4-H in the state.
“Wisconsin 4-H is the organization we know today because of the countless hours of service our laureates dedicated to Wisconsin youth,” says Jessica Jens, Positive Youth Development Institute Assistant Dean & Director and Wisconsin 4-H State Program Leader, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. “Their passion for the 4-H program has helped generations of young people be ready for life and ready for work in a world of change.”
Norma Ausman (In memoriam), Chippewa County Volunteer
For 70 years, Norma exemplified true citizenship and community leadership as a devoted member of the Homemakers and a 4-H project leader in food, canning and gardening.
Lisa Cochart, Kewaunee County Volunteer
Volunteering has been a way of life for Lisa on both a county and state level for the last 36 years, including work with young people through a vibrant and thriving local 4-H dog project that has included over 50 youth per year.
Jerry & Melanie Donath, Barron County Volunteers
For more than 50 years, Jerry and Melanie have been dedicated to 4-H through serving as club leader for the Sioux Creek Go Getters for 20 years and Jerry serving as a Shooting Sports leader for 15. Both also served on the 4-H Leaders Council chaperoning exchange trips, leadership conferences, and more. In recent years, they have been known for the woodworking workshops they put on for youth in Barron County and beyond.
Betty Haag, Jefferson County Retired Home Economist
A 4-H’er since the age of 10, Haag served as the Extension Home Economist with 4-H responsibilities for 32 years, bringing educators together to network, learn, build relationships, and strategize ways to meet growing family needs.
Dale Leidheiser, Retired 4-H Program Leader
Leidheiser’s county, state, and national work contributed to the development of youth, volunteers, and Extension staff through developing educational frameworks, strategies for financial support and recognition programs, including the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame.
Kenneth “Charlie” & Ruth Lindegarde, Dodge County Volunteers
The Lindegardes were active in the county 4-H Leaders Association, Ruth as a fundraiser and Ken within the Leaders Association as board member, vice-president and president. They created a youth development program that included a new 4-H club, a teen center, afterschool programs, retreats and mentorship programs.
JoAnn Maedke, Fond du Lac County Volunteer
Starting as a 10-year member of the Campbellsport 4-H Club, excelling in the clothing project, Maedke was a project and general leader for the Armstrong 4-H club for over 50 years and has served as treasurer for the Fond du Lac County 4-H Adult Leaders Association since 2004.
Becky Merwin, Walworth County Volunteer
A 58-year volunteer of her county’s 4-H program, Merwin started her 4-H journey at age nine, showing beef cattle and demonstrating her sewing skills, which led to becoming a general leader and key sewing leader for future 4-H youth.
Kathryn Noll, Buffalo County Volunteer
A life-long 4-H member, Kathryn has led the Clover 4-H Club, mentoring generations of youth, including her siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, along with hundreds of local members.
Ruthann J. Rehberg, Price County Volunteer
For more than 40 years, Rehberg has been a cornerstone of the Price County 4-H program, serving as Club Leader of the Big Elk Badgers 4-H Club and holding leadership roles in the Price County Adult Leaders’ Association and on the Wisconsin 4-H Adult Leaders’ Council.
Millaine Wells-Stodola, Kewaunee County Volunteer
Over the years, Wells-Stodola’s support for the 4-H program as host and producer of Midwest Farm Weekly has grown and now is undeniably impactful. As a volunteer, she helps young people find the “sparks” that interest them, specifically the youngest 4-H-ers, known as Cloverbuds.
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