Elbert County Parade Marshall
 

Rod & Kathleen Koepke

What do you get when you add 44 years of combined 4-H volunteering, putting five kids through the 4-H program and 26 years of camping at the fair? Probably two people that need to have their heads examined, but in this case the result is two people very deserving of being named the 2008 Elbert County Fair Parade Marshals.

The Elbert County Fair Board is pleased to recognize Rod and Kathleen Koepke as the 2008 Elbert County Fair Parade Marshals. The Koepkes have been involved with Elbert County 4-H for many years and on many levels with Kathleen beginning as a 4-H’er in her youth in the Deer Trail area. Since then, Rod and Kathleen became involved with 4-H with their own family in 1982 when their eldest son Jake became a 4-H’er. They have also put their four daughters; Kati, Kyrei, Kelsi, and Kalli through the program as well. They now have the joy of watching their grandsons Allen and Cody participate in the program.

Rod and Kathleen continue to be active assets to the Elbert County 4-H program. They are in their 22^nd year as active 4-H leaders in the Rural Rustlers 4-H Club. They also serve as Dairy Superintendents at the Fair. A look back in old Fair Books will show that Rod and Kathleen have been the superintendents since 1994. The couple has extensive knowledge of dairy management. Rod grew up on a dairy farm, and the couple worked for dairy farms in their early marriage. Eventually the couple milked their own herd for over 10 years on their farm south of Matheson. Dairy has always been a way of life for them, and the 4-H program has provided them an opportunity to share their great wealth of knowledge about the industry as well as their knowledge and love for country life. They continue to live on their farm and ranch near Matheson where they now raise beef cattle, hogs, and hay.

Throughout the years, if there was a project to be done, Rod and Kathleen were always around to help. Their children participated in many different project areas, and Rod and Kathleen were very proactive with all of them. Rod helped for many years as a ring man for the swine shows. Kathleen spent many clean up days decorating for the Fashion Revue contest and then running home to help a distraught daughter finish a hem and iron an outfit for the contest.

Not only do many folks know Rod and Kathleen, but many people look to them for advice and assistance. The Koepkes know they are blessed to have so many friends and neighbors that respect and love them. This affection is a direct result of the volunteerism demonstrated by Rod and Kathleen, which has always been an incredibly important responsibility to them. Without volunteers like Rod and Kathleen, the 4-H and Fair programs would cease to exist as they do today. They are a special couple who have a great sense of pride in their family and in their way of life as farmers and ranchers.

The Koepke family is now 17 strong with the added grandchildren and spouses. The entire Koepke clan considers themselves to be extremely lucky kids to have two very special and loving people in their lives. The whole family includes Jake & Karrie Koepke and their sons, Allen & Cody; Kati & her husband, J.N. and their kids, Conner, Talya, & Brayden; Kyrei and her husband, J.W. Zion; Kelsi and her husband, Todd and their son, Lane; and last, but certainly not least, Kalli Koepke. They would like to congratulate both Rod and Kathleen and say thanks for everything. Thanks for the love, the values, and the lessons.

Once again, the Elbert County Fair Board is proud to have this fine couple as the 2007 Elbert County Fair Parade Marshals.