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Farmers Union to honor rural volunteers at state fair

BY SD FARMERS UNION

HURON – As a way of thanking four members of the agricultural community, the South Dakota Farmers Union will hold a recognition ceremony for rural volunteers during the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. For this year’s 2022 Rural Dakota Pride Recipients are Dan and Corinne Overweg, Dale Swenson, Judy Roemich and Mary Jacobs.

CORINNE AND DAN OVERWEG

Corinne Overweg of Kimball cites her reasoning for giving back to their community is because of their unwavering support during her tough pregnancy. She, bedridden, and Dan juggled two other small children and a small business, but their community didn’t let them fall. “Community members began coming over and putting food in our freezer and fridge. A couple ladies even cleaned my house,” Corinne recalled. “In this community, we help each other out.”

Corinne and Dan Overweg have contributed back to the community by building one of the largest employers in their town – a full-service automotive, truck repair and motorsports business named Overweg Repair. They give back to the community as much as they can, serving as Christian education leaders for their church, volunteering as firefighters or helping to raise funds for community scholarships, new parks, a community pool or sitting on a new medical facility committee.

“I think this small town has been the best place to raise our kids,” Corinne said. “Seeing this community grow and thrive and be the place where young families want to live – this is why we give back.”

DALE SWENSON

Dale Swenson of Woonsocket has worked with other community volunteers to ensure that some traditions stay traditions, like the community Water Festival, the Christmas Nativity scene on Woonsocket’s Lake Prior Island, as well as Meals on Wheels.

When the previous planning committee dissolved in 1984, Dale and other community members stepped up to preserve the more than a century old tradition of the Water Festival, a Fourth of July celebration that brought in people from all over the country.

“It was something our community needed,” Dale said.

Dale helped to inspire new traditions for the Water Festival, including canoe races, water tank races and water golf.

JUDY ROEMICH

Judy Roemich of Piedmont took over the Giving Trees project in the 90s. A Christmas-lover herself, Roemich collects around 700 gifts for 70 Piedmont and Black Hawk families each year, spending around a week wrapping all of them with members of her sewing club. Then, local firefighters chip in and load up their fire trucks for speedy delivery.

“It just warms my heart when we deliver gifts to families and I see their childrens’ eyes light up,” Roemich

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