Ellen Lemke Named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (07/29/2013)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Ellen Lemke of Bedford as an Iowan of the Day for the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Seven days a week, you can find Lemke volunteering for the Bedford community. She sings in the choir, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and volunteers as a guide at the Taylor County Historical Museum. Lemke was featured in an Our Iowa magazine article where she shared her secret recipe to life and volunteering.

"I try to stay busy," she says. "I found out a long time ago that you can't just sit around and twiddle your thumbs and expect to enjoy life- I don't care how old you are, you can make life interesting if you try."

And that she does. Lemke has written humorous monologues and skits to perform at local nursing homes, churches and community groups. She is most famous for the one she calls "Putting on Panty Hose." Lemke not only has a knack for making people laugh, but expressing herself through poems and her weekly column for the Bedford Times-Press. Lemke has seven published books of poetry.

But Lemke is known for more than her skits, poetry and familiar face around the community. She was born in Newton in 1915 and has lived in Iowa ever since- with no intent of leaving. Her loyalty to the state of Iowa alone makes her a worthy candidate of this award.

Lemke's day of recognition will be Sunday, August 18 at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. Along with a one night's stay at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, she will receive a cash prize, grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart. Lemke will also receive a special introduction on August 18 at 2:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $95 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

###