The Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives of Iowa are driven by our commitment to community.
To celebrate local volunteers, the Shine the Light contest returned for a third year and received 126 volunteer nominations during June, an 85% increase from last year! Employees and member-consumers of Iowa’s locally owned electric cooperatives were invited to nominate someone who makes a positive difference in their community.
Three winners will be awarded a $2,500 donation to their charity or community organization of choice and will be featured in next month’s issue. Please join us in celebrating these nominees for their outstanding commitment to community. Learn more at www.IowaShineTheLight.com.
Rodney Anderson from New Sharon was nominated by Susan Anderson of Pella Cooperative Electric Association for his work with Friends of Mahaska County Conservation.
Marcia Bachmann from Denison was nominated by Richard Meyer and Clayton Ullerich of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for her work with CCHappycats, Inc.
Darron Baker from Eagle Grove was nominated by Donavon Baker of Prairie Energy Cooperative for his work with Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.
Diane Bales from Bloomfield was nominated by Joye Lore-Lawson of Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative for her work with Davis County Tourism Corporation.
Sherry Bousk from Decorah was nominated by Holly Kanengieter of MiEnergy Cooperative for her work with WinnMed Foundation.
Shirley Bowman from Webster City was nominated by Joe Sherman of Webster City Municipal for her work with Christians in Action.
Caroline Bredekamp from Spragueville was nominated by Don Wentworth of Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Northbend Community Center.
Dale Breuer from Estherville was nominated by Brooke Henricksen of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for his work with Kiwanis Club of Estherville.
The Butler County Fair Board from Allison was nominated by Rhonda Marshall of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for their work with Butler County Fair Association.
Raejean Chapman from Clarion was nominated by Erin Baker and Heather Evje of Prairie Energy Cooperative for her work with Dirt Diggers.
Kirby Christensen from McCallsburg was nominated by Kathy Nelson of Midland Power Cooperative for his work with American Legion Post #334.
Greg Christianson from Baxter was nominated by Natalie Moorman of Consumers Energy for his work with Baxter American Legion.
Larry Daft from Colfax was nominated by Kevin Williams of Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative for his work with Colfax Historical Society.
Jim Danzl from Humboldt was nominated by Jaclyn Lerdal of Midland Power Cooperative for his work with Upper Des Moines Opportunity Food Pantry.
Michele Dettmann from Sac City was nominated by Pat Laursen of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Swaddling Clothes.
Randy Dunfee from Murray was nominated by Venita Escher of Clarke Electric Cooperative, Inc. for his work with Murray Church of Christ.
Gail Eischeid from Lake View was nominated by Rhonda McQuigg of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with East Sac County Food Pantry.
Megan Farrell from Grinnell was nominated by Lindsey Starrett of Pella Cooperative Electric Association for her work with Read 2 Lead.
Jarrod Fischer from Wallingford was nominated by Connie Hopper of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for his work with Wallingford Fire and Ambulance.
Ann Gemberling from Lohrville was nominated by Linda Schmitt of Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association for her work with Lohrville Visions.
Sue Gradoville from Boone was nominated by Joann Uthe of Midland Power Cooperative for her work with Boone Hope Foundation.
Ron Halbur from Manning was nominated by Karen Kienast of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for his work with Manning Community Foundation.
Jane Hasek from Harpers Ferry was nominated by Marita Clark of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative for her work with Harpers Ferry Area Heritage Society.
Nancy Hering from Oakland was nominated by Doris Bane, Layna Bentley, Julie Hering Kent and Brenda Windmuller of Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Bidwell Riverside Food Pantry.
Theresa Hildreth from Rockwell City was nominated by Julie Clayton of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Foundation.
Samantha Holm from Sumner was nominated by Amanda Petersen of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Royal Family Kids’ Camp Northeast Iowa.
Betty Hoogendoorn from Rock Valley was nominated by Jody Folkens of Lyon Rural Electric Cooperative and by Mike Haverhals, Tamara Haverhals, Darwin Hoogendoorn, Kyle Hoogendoorn, Cierra Overweg and Kristi Tiedeman of North West Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Hope Haven.
Joyce Hornstein from Huxley was nominated by Jean Saveraid of Greenfield Municipal Utilities for her work with Ballard Community Performing Arts Association.
Ruth Jennings from Williamsburg was nominated by Michelle Jennings of T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Mount Mercy Dance Marathon.
Angie Johnson from Rockford was nominated by Larry Hicok of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Grow Rockford Together Association.
Geri Johnson from Onawa was nominated by Arthur Weston of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for her work with Food 4 You, Inc.
Judith Johnson from Estherville was nominated by Elizabeth Harris of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with VFW Post 3388.
Kathryn Johnson from Afton was nominated by Retta Ripperger of Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. for her work with Afton Development Corporation.
Jerry Jors from Ricketts was nominated by Randy Bohlmann of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for his work with Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.
Bonnie Kauzlarich from Centerville was nominated by Mary Sue Zaputil of Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. for her work with The Lord’s Cupboard.
Danielle Kruse from Hartley was nominated by Jamie Stoll of North West Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Kids Kampus.
Katie Kruse from Carroll was nominated by David Onken of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Carroll High School Foundation.
Sally Kuhrts from Galva was nominated by Cindy Glienke of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Orphan Grain Train.
Jim Langhus from Monona was nominated by Mildred Stewart of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative for his work with Monona Butterfly Gardens & Trails.
Bobbie Lieser from Tipton was nominated by Alice Whitlatch of Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative for her work with Big Creek Missions.
Erica Lindaman from Clarion was nominated by Troy and Jenny Askelsen, Emily Bernhardt, Mark Bernhardt, Janet Blackman, Mitchell Brandt, Chad Chapman, Tim and Becky Chipman, Gina Cleveland, Mary Davis, Kathy Deimerly, Robert Deimerly, Belva German, Brittany Howieson, Mary Kallem, Roger Kallem, Mary Lager, Dennis Mraz, Jo Olson, Sarah Olson, Brian Ring, Knuton Severson, Darla Tweeten and Kathy Whitver of Prairie Energy Cooperative for her work with Gift of Giving; and by Matthew Cook of Prairie Energy Cooperative for her work with Riding for a Reason in memory of Brandon Lee.
Charlotte Lungsford from Spirit Lake was nominated by Nola Jensen of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Cherished Again.
Lisa and Mike McCarty from Ames were nominated by Sean Dowling and Frederick Gulden of Midland Power Cooperative for their work with All Aboard for Kids.
Mike McCarty from Carroll was nominated by Brian and Tricia Wolterman of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for his work with Mission Honduras.
Jeriann McLaughlin from Huxley was nominated by Steve Quick of Consumers Energy for her work with Ballard Community Clothing and Food Pantry.
Elizabeth McOllough from Clarion was nominated by Barbara Moore of Prairie Energy Cooperative for her work with CGD Community Corral.
Bill Meyer from Fredericksburg was nominated by Nancy Meyer of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for his work with Fredericksburg Lions Club.
Caleb Meyer from Aplington was nominated by Katie LaBree of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for his work with Feed My Starving Children.
Carolyn Mohlis from Tripoli was nominated by Anita Destival, Jodi Risse, Barb Schwake, Ken Shonka, Sandy Tagtow and Joanna VanDeBerg of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Helping Hands Clothing Closet.
Mike Moran from Churdan was nominated by Wade Gemberling of Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association for his work with Lohrville Visions.
Leon Muhlbauer from Glidden was nominated by Denise Muhlbauer of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for his work with Carroll Lions Club.
Cindy Murphy from Pocahontas was nominated by JoAnn Poduska of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Pocahontas Community Foundation.
Shannon Neff-Muell from Guthrie Center was nominated by Laura Robson of Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative Association for her work with Little Charger Early Learning Center.
Bev Nielsen from Columbus Junction was nominated by Ken Purdy of Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative for her work with Columbus United Fund.
Sandra Olesen from Graettinger was nominated by Barbara Brennan of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Unity Lutheran Ministries Food Pantry.
Ruth Pickle from Moorhead was nominated by ToNetta Englehardt of Onawa Municipal for her work with Moorhead Cultural Center.
Teresa Poland from Clarksville was nominated by Paula Hoodjer of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Clarksville Food Pantry.
Linda Price was nominated by Brett Fuelberth of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Food Bank of Iowa.
Mike and Sandy Ralya from Afton were nominated by Laura Tallmon of Clarke Electric Cooperative, Inc. for their work with Afton Development Corporation.
Mady Reed from Sumner was nominated by Sumner Dental Care of Sumner Municipal for her work with Sumner Daycare and Learning Center, Inc.
Matt Riedell from Carroll was nominated by Sean Kleespies of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for his work with Lake View Blackhawk Men’s Club.
Dianne Riley from Osceola was nominated by Joan Peterson of Clarke Electric Cooperative, Inc. for her work with Toys for Christmas.
Mary Sauter from Albia was nominated by Brian Lindberg of Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. for her work with Pay It Forward Christmas Charity.
Lana Schaefer from Rockwell was nominated by Bev Peters of Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Rockwell Public Library.
Heather Schmidt from Webster was nominated by Heather Fischer of T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Tri-County Food Bank.
Caleb Sinnwell from Nashua was nominated by Heather Sinnwell of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for his work with Nashua VFW Post 6792.
Dennis Slota from Remsen was nominated by Judy Bunkers of North West Rural Electric Cooperative for his work with Remsen St. Mary’s Parish.
Marsha and John Smeltzer from Spirit Lake were nominated by Rosie Lundquist of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for their work with Spirit Lake Protective Association.
Jeff and Tracy Spear from Hampton were nominated by Madison Alert of Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative for their work with Bridge of Hope North Central Iowa.
Jean Stadtlander from Manning was nominated by Tim and Joni Kienast of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for her work with IKM-Manning Community School Foundation.
Jim Stiles (in Memoriam) was nominated by Ann Williams of Access Energy Cooperative for his work with Beyond Limits.
Kathy Struck from Denison was nominated by Rita Eggers of Western Iowa Power Cooperative for her work with Goodfellows.
Steve Supple (in Memoriam) from Cascade was nominated by Al Reiter of Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative for his work with Camp Courageous of Iowa.
Betty Throndson from New Hampton was nominated by Shirley Hoffman of Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Project Flo.
Vicki Tronchetti from Jefferson was nominated by Danille Curtis of Midland Power Cooperative for her work with Midwest Mission Distribution Center.
Elsie Van Beek from Maurice was nominated by Chris Van Beek of North West Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Midwest Honor Flight.
Dirk van der Linden from Belmond was nominated by Linda Loux of Prairie Energy Cooperative for his work with New Lyric Theater.
Jackie Wallace from Mount Vernon was nominated by Sherry Moffit of T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative for her work with Miracles in Motion Therapeutic Equestrian Center.
Andrew Webb from Roland was nominated by James Hassebrock of Midland Power Cooperative for his work with Roland IA Kiwanis.
Heather Weers from Center Junction was nominated by Megan Ruley of Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Teresa Westcott from Cherokee was nominated by Susan Bakker of Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative for her work with Christian Action, Inc.
Kimberly Whitaker from Glidden was nominated by Jeremiah Johnson of Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative for her work with Lil’ Wildcat Education Center.
