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 fourth year and received 75 volunteer nominations during June, the second highest number in the history of the contest! This year’s entries came from 24 Iowa electric co-ops and two municipal utilities that are served by Central Iowa Power Cooperative. 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 $3,000 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.
2024 SHINE THE LIGHT NOMINEES
Access Energy Cooperative
Kathie Grimm from Wayland was nominated by Beverly Conrad for her work with Wayland Area Child Care Organization (Little Me & Company).
June Lowenberg from Fairfield was nominated by Christie Shaffer for her work with Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative
Stephanie Duhrkopf from Sumner was nominated by Jeff Reynolds for her work with Sumner Daycare and Learning Center, Inc.
Vickie Miller from Clarksville was nominated by Paula Hoodjer for her work with Clarksville Food Pantry.
Carolyn Mohlis from Tripoli was nominated by Sandra Tagtow and Joanna VanDeBerg for her work with Helping Hands Clothing Closet.
Rose Nordaas from Fredericksburg was nominated by Nancy Morris for her work with Fredericksburg Food Bank.
Patricia Schultz from Sumner was nominated by Maek Miller for her work with Sumner Quilts of Valor.
Stacey Snyder from Sumner was nominated by Larry Pavelec for her work with Bremer County Conservation Board.
Deb White from Clarksville was nominated by Lynn Bolin for her work with Clarksville Open Door Youth Center.
Calhoun County Electric Cooperative Association
Judy Hess from Fonda was nominated by Kerry Noethe for her work with MAGS 4 Fonda, Inc.
Cindy Loots from Pomeroy was nominated by Nancy Bruns for her work with Pomeroy Historical Society.
Renee Stauter from Lake City was nominated by Elaine Lietz for her work with Lake City Pickleball Project.
Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Catherine Burkman from Albia was nominated by Jeanie Teno for her work with Albia Victorian Stroll.
Pam Haugen from Tracy was nominated by Joyce Housley for her work with Bellefountaine Cemetery.
Justin Rozenbloom from Bussey was nominated by Chelsea Bachman for his work with Monroe County Fair.
Clarke Electric Cooperative, Inc.
DeeAnn Bierstedt from Fenton was nominated by Jodee Jorgenson for her work with Fenton Public Library.
Consumers Energy
Christopher Alleman from Slater was nominated by Pete Hunter for his work with Alleman Betterment Committee.
Haven Frantz from Grand Junction was nominated by Heidi Holsapple for his work with American Legion Post 11, Jefferson.
East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative
Michael Kramer from Vinton was nominated by Becky Van Wey for his work with Vinton-Shellsburg United Special Olympics.
Yvette Vogel from Jesup was nominated by Monica Bengston for her work with Jesup Community Blood Drive.
Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative
Becky Hansen from Wilton was nominated by Terri Becker for her work with Wilton Legion Auxiliary.
Janet Hesler from Danville was nominated by Joanne Beckman for her work with Danville Station Library & Museum.
R D Putnam from Letts was nominated by Claudia Putnam for his work with St. Malachy’s of Ardon Preservation Society.
Marjorie Rock from Grand Mound was nominated by Eunice Grell for her work with Project Linus East Central Iowa Chapter.
Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative
Doug Pralle from Hampton was nominated by Madison Alert for his work with Compassion Flights.
Gowrie Municipal Utilities
Julie Vinsand from Gowrie was nominated by Bruce Towne for her work with Wheels of GYC.
Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative
Jared Gutknecht from Grundy Center was nominated by Patricia Pruisner for his work with Grundy County Fair.
Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Lou Hoger from Perry was nominated by Sue Kimpston for his work with Perry Area Food Pantry.
Karen Sparks from Guthrie Center was nominated by Vanessa Bransor for her work with Royal Neighbors of America.
Amber Wetzel from Linden was nominated by Amy Hoover for her work with Guthrie Center Elementary School.
Heartland Power Cooperative
Carolyn Sherman from St. Ansgar was nominated by Judy Ask for her work with St. Ansgar Recreation Trail.
Steve Weis from Stacyville was nominated by Mark Weis for his work with St. Ansgar Rescue.
Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative
Barb Bennett from Rolfe was nominated by Wendy Panbecker for her work with Rolfe Hometown Pride.
Dale Breuer from Estherville was nominated by Katie Harris for his work with Emmet County Special Olympics.
Duane Kent from Aurelia was nominated by Lucille Kent for his work with Aurelia Community Foundation.
Joan Mohr from Fonda was nominated by Diana Christiansen for her work with Beauty Amidst the Ashes, Inc.
Volunteers at Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office Reserves were nominated by Jim Malecek for their work with Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office Reserves.
Dennis Somers from Sioux Rapids was nominated by Jennifer Sievert for his work with Special Youth Challenge Ministries of Iowa.
Volunteers at Unity Lutheran Food Pantry from Graettinger were nominated by Barbara Brennan for their work with Unity Lutheran Food Pantry.
Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative
Casey Clark from Solon was nominated by Debra Clark for his work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Johnson County Chapter.
Manning Municipal Utilities
Melissa Puck from Manning was nominated by Amy Ferneding for her work with Manning Little League.
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative
Rod Kramer from Farley was nominated by Al Reiter for his work with Farley Fire Department.
Sarah Kumpf from Peosta was nominated by Tara Beasley-Garcia for her work with Inspiration Stables.
Marie Rossmann from Preston was nominated by Barbara Downey for her work with Relay for Life of Jackson County.
Makenna Travis from Monticello was nominated by Jackie White for her work with Animal Welfare Friends.
Midland Power Cooperative
John Dawkins from Boone was nominated by Mike Matteo for his work with Salvation Army.
Barbara Dilsaver from Iowa Falls was nominated by Elizabeth Thoms for her work with Church Women United Thrift Store.
Rick Hamers from Ames was nominated by Lynn Hamers for his work with Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa.
Fred Long from Jefferson was nominated by Lori DeMoss and Jeff Pudenz for his work with Greene County Gobblers.
Taylor Jones from Hampton was nominated by Suzanne Rowen for her work with Hansell Fire Department.
Barb MacDougall from Boone was nominated by Joann Uthe for her work with Cole School.
Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative
Kyle Arnold from Minden was nominated by Maribeth Dau for his work with Minden Volunteer Fire Department.
LaDonna Havick from Harlan was nominated by Kylie Beebe, Jeff Leinen and Stephanie Nielsen for her work with Shawn Havick Memorial Response Program.
North West Rural Electric Cooperative
Lisa Klein from Sheldon was nominated by Sandra Voss for her work with Love INC of Greater O’Brien County.
Chris Van Beek from Maurice was nominated by Greg Van Beek for her work with Midwest Honor Flight.
Jason Wendt from Le Mars was nominated by Gabe Roetman for his work with Gehlen Catholic Mission Honduras.
Pamela Woelber from Sioux Center was nominated by Debra Rensink for her work with Whispers of Love, Hope & Joy, Inc.
Osceola Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Beth Thole from Sibley was nominated by Gary Trei for her work with Osceola County Agriculture Pavilion.
Prairie Energy Cooperative
Alan Mattison from Belmond was nominated by Trese Arends for his work with Belmond Park Zip Line.
Cathy Mohlis from Crystal Lake was nominated by Donna Edelen for her work with Youth for Christ.
Larry Turner from Belmond was nominated by Joleen Smith for his work with Build a Better Belmond - Upscale the Trail.
Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative
Julie Clayton from Auburn was nominated by Marie Buse and Becky Halbur for her work with Wall Lake Bandits/Viola Visions 4-H Club.
Mike McCarty from Carroll was nominated by Tricia Wolterman for his work with Mission Honduras – Kuemper.
Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative
Sandy Warning from Bloomfield was nominated by Joye Lore-Lawson for her work with Davis County Tourism Corporation.
Bruce and Becky Whitaker from Bonaparte were nominated by Thomas O’Donnell for their work with Bentonsport Improvement Association.
T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative
Dixie Albertson from Fremont was nominated by Ashley Albertson for her work with Fremont Area Community Foundation.
Allison Gonyo from West Des Moines was nominated by Marty McCoy for her work with Children’s Cancer Connection.
Western Iowa Electric Cooperative
Marcia Bachmann from Denison was nominated by Jan Patchin for her work with CCHappy Cats, Inc.
Warren Hawn from Denison was nominated by Craig Dozark for his work with Crawford County Hunger Fighters.
Kathy Schneider from Denison was nominated by Dale Schneider for her work with Crawford County Hunger Fighters.
