For decades, Lonne and Karen Anderson have worked to make the annual Webster County Fair a success.

Much of their work is done out of the public eye, making sure everything is in place to make the fair an enjoyable experience for all.

While their work may be largely behind the scenes, it has not gone unnoticed by everyone connected to the fair and local 4-H programs. That’s why the Fort Dodge couple was recently picked as Webster County’s 2020 inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

They are an outstanding selection for the Hall of Fame.

Lonne Anderson, who is sales manager and co-owner of Anderson Implement, and Karen Anderson, who is the owner of Hearts Desire Beauty Shoppe in Otho, were 4-H members as kids. He was a member of the Clay Champions; she was a member of the Lehigh Leprechauns.

He was a member of the Webster County Fair Board for nine years, and was the board’s president for eight of those years. He played a key role in bringing more events to the fairgrounds south of Fort Dodge. To do that, he helped build the tractor pull track and race track. He’s no longer on the board, but he appears to be just about everywhere help is needed at the fairgrounds

Karen Anderson served on the Youth Committee for many years. She has conducted interviews and judging for decades. She served three years on the fair board, including a tenure as vice president, where she worked to add more open shows and special events. She remains busy marketing the fair and the fairgrounds.

Anyone who learned about a fun event to attend at the fairgrounds from an ad or an online post has benefitted from the volunteer work of Karen Anderson.

And anyone who has watched in awe as a huge, loud machine showed what it can do during a truck or tractor pull has Lonne Anderson to thank for that experience.

We congratulate Lonne and Karen Anderson, the 2020 Webster County inductess to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.