The People Behind the Progress

Award Recipients by Year

2025

• Hall of Fame Inductees (3):
  • Shari Balog Flatt (2025 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Recently married, Shari and Jerry Flatt arrived in Dubuque in September 1975 from Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Shortly after settling in, Shari began a 34-year career teaching in the Dubuque public schools. Balancing full-time teaching with raising their son, Jami, and daughter, Jessica, left little time for political involvement. Shari remained a dedicated Democrat and never missed an opportunity to vote.
    In 2007, she began volunteering for Hillary Clinton's campaign, where she met Helen Varner. After retiring in 2015, Shari reconnected with the "Hillary Girls," and together they founded Indivisible Dubuque.
    Her husband, Jerry, died in March 2022. One of her favorite quotes about civic engagement comes from an anonymous source:
    "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in."
  • Helen Varner (2025 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Helen Vamer lived in Dubuque with her family for thirty years, but she was a lifelong Democrat. She had a deep passion for both local and national politicswhether caucusing for Hillary Clinton in 2008 or joining Indivisible Dubuque in 2016, Helen was always eager to get involved.
    One of the highlights of her political jouney was delivering the introductory speech for Chelsea Clinton during a visit to the University of Dubuque. Her home became a well-known hub of political activityhosting phone banks, making signs, and serving as ralist else recomes the energy, toe conversations, and the people.
    She never shied away from political discussion-whether on the phone or going door to door. She had a rare gift for knowing when to speak and when to listen. Her passion for this work ran deep, and through it, she formed some of the most meaningful friendships of her life.
    Helen passed away last fall. To everyone who stood beside her at rallies, cheered with her at speeches, carried signs, knocked on doors, made calls, got hung up on, cussed out, or even agreed with hershe would want to thank you from the bottom of her heart for this honor. And she would want us all to keep showing up, keep talking with our neighbors, keep listening and keep standing strong.
  • Dave Wetter (2025 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Bom and raised in Dubuque, Dave Wetter has been a lifelong Democrat. His career in the food and beverage industry sharpened his dedication to serving the public. In 1979, Dave opened The Bistro-Dubuque's first gay bar —at 951 Main Street Since then, he has been a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights —or, as Dave puts it, human rights.
    As co-chair of the Dubuque County Democrats' Special Events Committee, Dave has been nourishing the soul of our Democratic community for the past six years.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • Walt Pregler (2025 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award)
    Walter A. Pregler was born in Dubuque, lowa, on September 19, 1934, to Walter George and Elizabeth (Libby) Pregler. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Loras Academy, graduating in 1952. Walt worked as a Tool and Die Maker at John Deere Dubuque from 1955 until retiring in 1992. He married Nancy Jeanne Hilbert in 1955, and they had seven sons, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Nancy passed away in 2020. A dedicated union member, Walt was active in Local 94 UAW and its Retiree Chapter, serving in leadership roles and on multiple committees. He was inducted into the Dubuque Labor Hall of Fame.
    Walt was also active in Holy Trinity Parish and civic life.
    He was a charter member of Operation New View and served on the Dubuque City Council for nine years, including terms as mayor in 1966 and 1969. He advocated for key infrastructure projects in Washington, D.C., and oversaw major improvements in Dubuque, including fire stations, a city garage, Kennedy Mall rezoning, and the municipal water treatment plant. After public office, he served on several boards, including those for transit, hospitals, education, and senior services. He was Dubuque County Democrats Secretary (2007-2011) and Chair (2011-2017), and entered their Hall of Fame in 2007.
    Walt helped pass city and school sales tax initiatives and received numerous awards including:
    • 1966: Jaycees Distinguished Service Award
    • 1974: Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Civic Service
    • 1976 & 1986: Outstanding Service and First Citizen Awards from the City Council
• Volunteer of the Year:
  • Molly Olds (2025 Volunteer of the Year)
    Molly has been a Dubuque County resident her entire life. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, doing yard work, and spending time with family and friends. While working with Table Mound Neighborhood Strong, she leamed how important it is to ensure we continue to elect local Democrats. The 2024 election was her first year volunteering (along with her daughter), because the need to increase voter tumout was so important. Molly's daughter is her motivation to make the world a better place. Conversations she had while door knocking gave her hope.
    Listening to the community also made Molly more aware of the need to keep working to Ignite Democratic support for the future. Following the 2024 election, Molly joined indivisible Dubuque County to continue strengthening democratic ideals and values in the Dubuque community.

2024

• Hall of Fame Inductees (2):
  • Dave Baker (2024 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Dave Baker was born on August 8, 1957 at the former Xavier Hospital in Dubuque's Northend, to Richard P “Dick” and Juanita (Neyens) Baker. Dave has one sister (Chris Kohl) and three brothers (Rick, Nick and Dennis). Dave Baker comes from a long line of Union members and Democrats. His grandfather (Lester Neyens) was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Dubuque Bricklayers Union, while his Grandpa Harry Baker was an active member of The Amalgamated Meatcutters and Butcher Workmen of North America, Local 150 for many years at the Dubuque Packing Company. Dave's Dad, Dick Baker was a forty-year member of Local 150. Baker's great- grandfather, Sam Swift, was elected as Dubuque County Recorder in 1907, and then as a State Representative in 1932. Swift was a Democratic stalwart in Dubuque County in the early 1900's.
    The Baker siblings grew up in the family home on Shiras Avenue (directly across the Street from the former Mayor of Dubuque - Walt Pregler), in the Point area of Dubuque, which was heavily populated with hard-working, blue-collar Democrats.
    Dave Baker's first union job was in 1976 with Teamsters Local 421, at the former Continental-Hoxie, as a truck driver and warehouseman. He then spent a couple years at Dubuque Packing Company, and then was hired at Flynn Ready-Mix Concrete Co. as a truck driver and re-joined the Teamsters Union. During his 13 years at Flynn's, he was elected by his coworkers to serve as union steward and Negotiating Committee Representative. During his tenure at Flynn Ready-Mix, Baker became a friend and supporter of Bill Delaney, President of Teamsters Local 421. In 1984, Delaney appointed Baker to serve as a chauffeur in the motorcade of Vice President Walter “Fritz” Mondale, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
    In 1990, Baker was appointed as a Trustee on the Local 421 Executive Board, serving with Labor Hall of Fame member Jim Lewis, one of Dubuque's longest serving volunteers for Labor and Democrats. The following year, Baker was elected as the Principal Officer (President/Elected Business Agent). He then won reelection for eight consecutive three-year terms as the local Teamsters leader. Baker's hard work in the jurisdiction of Local 421 was recognized by his peers from the other Teamsters Local Unions in Iowa, as he was elected as President of the 12,000-member Iowa Conference of Teamsters and Teamsters Joint Council 45. Baker also held several leadership positions with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Central Conference of Teamsters and later, Teamsters Joint Council 32.
    It was during this time that Baker appointed Local 421 officer and member Patrick “Looper” Lynch as the Teamsters Union lobbyist in Des Moines. Lynch proved to be an effective voice for the Teamsters at the State Capitol. He was instrumental in promoting worker-friendly legislation, including the “Peace Officers Bill of Rights”. Lynch would go on to serve as the Director of Government Affairs for the 1.5 million members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He would also go on to serve a successful term as Chair of the Dubuque County Democratic Party.
    Dave Baker has been a political activist for many years. A proud Democrat, he served as a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, helping to elect President Bill Clinton to his 2 nd term. Baker also served as Precinct Chairperson for numerous (1 st in the nation) Iowa Caucuses. He has helped many local, State and federal candidates campaign for public office, serving as Committee Co-Chair, Steering Committee member and volunteer for more than 40 years. Additionally, he has served as a delegate to the Dubuque County Democratic Central Committee for more than 30 years.
    In 2016, Dave Baker won a crowded (and spirited) Democratic Primary election and was subsequently elected as a Dubuque County Supervisor in the General Election. Baker was elected in an election year that was less than friendly for many Democrats. He served with distinction, evoking numerous comparisons to one of his mentors, Jim Waller. Baker served as Chairperson of the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors (2019-2020), providing a solid leadership team, along with City of Dubuque Mayor Roy Buol, during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Baker was also known as a “champion for Sunnycrest Manor”, consistently advocating for the Sunnycrest residents and employees. He continues his service to Sunnycrest Manor as a volunteer member of the Sunnycrest Manor Operations Board of Directors.
    Dave and Kathy (Luther) Baker just celebrated their 47 th wedding anniversary. They have 3 daughters: Jessie (Brett) Baker Blackburn, Andrea (Jody) James, and Cassandra Baker, 6 grandchildren and 5 (+) great-grandchildren (all properly left-leaning). Kathy's mother, Frieda Luther, was the 1 st woman elected to the Dubuque Area Labor Hall of Fame, and she was an active volunteer for several Democratic campaigns, including the Mike Blouin, Tom Harkin and Tom Vilsack campaigns.
  • Lindsay James (2024 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Lindsay is the Representative for Iowa House District 71. Lindsay is passionate about lifting up our hard-working Dubuque families and mobilizing our community around the values that bring kids a secure future - a thriving economy, a clean environment, strong schools, and vibrant neighborhoods.
    Representative James is the second highest ranking democrat in the House Democratic Caucus.
    In her time as a State Representative, James co-founded Iowa's first bi-cameral, bi-partisan caucus. She has led on issues such as lowering the cost of prescription drugs, mobile home protections, racial justice reform, strong schools and mental health and brain health policy. She is known for being passionate and principled as well as for forging friendships across the aisle.
    Lindsay is an ordained Presbyterian (PCUSA) Pastor and has spent her career as a college chaplain. She lives in Dubuque with her husband Christopher—a professor of theology at the University of Dubuque—and their two spunky children.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • Terry Stewart (2024 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award)
    Terry was deeply inspired by JFK's vision for America, prompting him to join the Democratic Party and follow in the footsteps of local Dubuque political activists like Nick Lucy and JoAnn Reynolds. His career began as a social worker for juvenile delinquents, where he actively participated in his local AFSCME union, eventually serving as president and on the state union board. His commitment to union and political activities was highlighted by his participation as a delegate at the 1980 Democratic National Convention during Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign, and marrying his soulmate Judy Schmidt in a ceremony filled with political undertones.
    Throughout his career as a Dubuque firefighter from 1983 to 2006,Terry continued his political and union engagement, serving as the union president and on various committees that influenced labor and healthcare management. After retiring, he resumed his role in Democratic Party leadership, serving as the DCD Chairman and dedicating his efforts to Democratic campaigning and ensuring voter rights. His enduring commitment to the Democratic cause is evident in his ongoing activities, including door-knocking and fundraising, and his upcoming role as a delegate for Joe Biden at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Terry's life remains a testament to his belief in a "more perfect union", reflecting decades of service to both his community and the Democratic Party.
• Volunteer of the Year:
  • Carolena Lund (2024 Volunteer of the Year)
    Carolena Lund was born in 2000 and raised in Napervile, Illinois. It was in her high school days that Carolena cut her teeth in politics, volunteering and working for the JB Pritzker Campaign and IL State Rep. Natalie Manly. She graduated from Waubonsie HS in 2019.
    That same year she first journeyed to Dubuque, where she came to study and play soccer at the University of Dubuque. Soon thereafter she connected with Rep. Lindsay James and began volunteering to help elect Democrats across Dubuque County.
    For the next 5 years she's served in various roles here in Dubuque as an intern, a volunteer, and campaign manager for the Robinson for Iowa Senate race. She currently serves as the chairperson of our Candidates and Campaigns Committee and is just gearing up to start her new job with the Iowa House Democrats Truman Fund, helping elect Democrats across the state and regaining a majority in the statehouse.
• Distinguished Service to the People of Iowa Award:
  • State Senator Pam Jochum (2024 Distinguished Service to the People of Iowa Award)
    Pam Jochum, a native of Dubuque, has become a respected senator known for her ability to build effective coalitions that have significantly benefited both Dubuque and the broader state of Iowa. Through her legislative work, Senator Jochum has been instrumental in expanding access to affordable health insurance for thousands of Iowans and has been a staunch defender of health services for citizens with disabilities, particularly during the privatization of Iowa's Medicaid system. Her commitment extends to education as well, where she has advocated for the expansion of early childhood programs and the affordability of higher education across various institutions.
    Senator Jochum's influence is also seen in major reforms and initiatives across Iowa, such as changes in commercial property taxes, enhancements in manufacturing, and groundbreaking legislation supporting ethanol production, wind, solar energy, and flood mitigation. Additionally, her persistent efforts over five years led to the establishment of the Iowa Public Information Board, ensuring greater government transparency and public access to information. Recognized for her dedicated advocacy and substantial contributions to improving the lives of Iowans, Senator Jochum has been honored by numerous organizations, including the League of Cities, Iowa Hospital Association, and many more, highlighting her impactful career in public service.

2023

• Hall of Fame Inductees (2):
  • Suellen Flynn (2023 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Suellen Flynn grew up in Dubuque in a Democratic, union household. She started working with the Dubuque Democratic Party with the 1980 Election and continues today. She has door knocked and phone called for almost every election since then.
    She has helped organize numerous fundraisers at Riverside Bowl, Happy's Place, and the 1988 Presidential candidate forum at the Fairgrounds. She attended and helped with every Caucus since then. She served as Dubuque Democratic Party Secretary for several terms in the 1980s and then became Secretary again in 2017 until 2023.
  • R.R.S. Stewart (2023 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    R.R.S. Stewart has been a Central Committee member, Chair of the Convention Rules and Nominations Committee, Volunteer Chair, Information Chair, Publicity Chair, Secretary, Third Vice-Chair and First Vice-Chair of the Dubuque County Democrats, She has been a Central Committee Member, Facebook page moderator, Delegate to the National Convention from the First District Co-Vice-Chair, Rules Chair and assisted with the First District Affirmative Action committee.
    In the now Second District she is on the Central Committee and is the District Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair. She has served four non -consecutive terms on the State Central Committee since 2012 Along with her parents, she was inducted into the lowa Democratic Party Hall of Fame in 2018.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • Mary Loney Bichell (2023 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award)
    Mary Loney Bichell has served in the Dubuque County Democratic Party for 20 years in various capacities including Treasurer and 2nd Vice Chair.
    She has volunteered in many ways such as phone baking, door knocking, placing yard signs, and has even run Get Out the Vote (GOTV) events from her home. She is currently serving as the co-chair of the Special Events committee.
• Volunteers of the Year:
  • Emily Bush (2023 Volunteer of the Year)
    Emily Bush was born and raised in Dubuque. She works as a nurse at Medical Associates Clinics and Health Plans. She has continually volunteered each cycle, supporting Democrats through phone banking, text banking, and canvassing. Emily has lead texting programs for the Mathis and Deidre campaigns and currently serves as the Secretary for the county party.
  • Linda Merfeld (2023 Volunteer of the Year)
    Linda Merfeld has been a lifelong Dubuque area resident She was brought up in a strong union household (UAW). She has two children and three grandchildren. She has worked as a registered nurse for 35 years and served as the first president of Finley's nurses' union. She started getting involved with the Dubuque County Democrats during the 2008 presidential election after meeting the candidates in person.

2022

• Hall of Fame Inductees (3):
  • Mary Loney Bichell (2022 Hall of Fame Inductee)
  • Jeffrey Cue (2022 Hall of Fame Inductee)
  • Ralph Potter (2022 Hall of Fame Inductee)
• Volunteer of the Year:
  • Dave Wetter (2022 Volunteer of the Year)

2019

• Hall of Fame Inductees (2):
  • Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (2019 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer is honored to be the voice for the people of Northeast Iowa's First Congressional District as their representative in Washington. Abby was raised in Sherrill, and is the youngest of four siblings. Her father, Jerry, was a Union Pipefitter Welder and her mother, Deb, worked for the Dubuque Community Schools. She learned the value of public service and giving back to the community from her family, particularly from her grandfather who was a Lieutenant in the Dubuque Fire Department. Abby was a ' page for the United States House of Representatives in 2006, graduated early from Hempstead High School, and then became a page for the Iowa House Speaker, Pat Murphy of Dubuque, in 2007. She attended Drake University and served as a clerk for then State Rep. Todd Taylor for two years, and then worked at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque with Jackson County, Jones County, Delaware County, Clayton County, and Allamakee County affiliate foundations. She also served on the board of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. She was elected to the Iowa State House of Representatives at the age of 25. Throughout her two terms in the State House, Abby made improving the lives of Iowa's working families her top priority. She ran for Congress in 2018 to continue to focus on building a stronger economy and middle class. In November 2018, Abby was elected to the United States House of Representatives. In Congress, she sits on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee where she serves as Vice Chair of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee and sits on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. She also sits on the Small Business Committee, where she chairs the Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship Subcommittee. In addition, the Congresswoman serves as an Assistant Majority Whip.
  • Sarah Jochum (Posthumous) (2019 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Sarah Noel Jochum was born June 19, 1977 to former State Representative Thomas Jochum and State Senator Pam Jochum. Born with a unique intellectual disability, Sarah graduated from Hempstead High School and went on to work at Area Residential Care (ARC), Hills and Dales and Life Club Center at Camp Sunnyside. Sarah had a parent in the state legislature her entire life, and she influenced them to shape policy on behalf of those who could not speak for themselves. Her father Tom introduced the first bill to grant civil rights protections to the LGBTQ community and her mother, Senator Jochum, is one of the leading voices fighting against Medicaid privatization. Her father has joked that she probably attended more union meetings then some union members and she was a fixture at Dubuque County Democratic Party events. She always let us know when the event or speaker had started to drag on a little too long! Sarah passed away on August 30, 2018. In addition to her mother and father, she was survived by her second mom, Amy Ward, her brothers Sam and Jack, her sisters Anna and Isabel, and her extended Jochum, Hintgen and Ward families. While Sarah never knocked a door, made a phone call, or cast a vote, her influence on the party was significant. She was a reminder of what being a Democrat is all about - the importance of giving voice to the voiceless and of including folks who don't look or act like us.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • Bill Stumpf (2019 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award)
    Over the past 29 years, my dad Bill has become a voice for Kyle, my brother and his son, who was born with Downs Syndrome. In doing so, my dad has also found his voice. Over the past several years, my dad has consistently educated people on behalf of Kyle and advocating for others who needed that voice. Bill frequently speaks with lawmakers at the state and federal levels to advocate for support and resources for competitive integrated employment, in doing this, he has made an impact on those that he educates and advocates for. His son Kyle, who now works in the community largely in part due to Bill's support and advocacy. Bill uses his family's experience to educate professionals, legislators and other families about the value of competitive integrated employment. He is not afraid to speak up and ask direct questions in group settings and does so with compassion and conviction earning respect from others and support.
• Volunteer of the Year:
  • Amber May (2019 Volunteer of the Year)

2018

• Hall of Fame Inductees (3):
  • Steve Hodge (2018 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Steve was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Senior High School in 1971, where he was the Vice President of Student Council. He went on to the University of Iowa where he would later graduate from undergraduate and then from Law School in 1979. Steve has held many prestigious positions that include: President of the Dubuque County School Board, First Assistant State Public Defender -Supervisor of the Dubuque Public Defender's Office, President of Dubuque County Bar Association, President of The Grand Opera House Board of Directors, and Chair of the Dubuque County Democratic Central Committee. He has attended many state and district conventions as a delegate representing Dubuque County. He was President of the Student Bar Association during Law School. Over the years, Steve was not only seen on the ground floor at local caucuses, often serving as precinct chair, campaigning door to door, serving as a district and local delegate, adjunct professor at the University of Dubuque, but he also played numerous roles at the Grand Opera House. And it's no secret he loves to golf. He adores spending time with his 3 children: Alison (Tom) Frederick, Abby (Shane) Wessel, and Andrew Hodge and grandson, Harlan Wessel. But no title or accomplishment brings him as much joy as father and grandfather.
  • Ken Kraus (2018 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    In 1957, Ken Kraus graduated Loras College and then continued his education at the University of Southern California, Berkley, earning a PhD in Chemistry in 1960. After that, Ken returned to Dubuque where he taught at Loras College and raised a family with his wife Judy. For decades, Ken took an active interest in Democratic politics. He made phone calls, knocked doors, hosted and attended events, provided supporter housing, and wrote out generous checks on behalf of a wide array of candidates from the local to the national level. A photographic tour of Ken's years of political involvement would include pictures of him with candidates from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Only a month before he passed away, Ken was still actively working for the election of Democratic candidates, greeting and registering attendees at a Hubbell for Governor Rally. Ken Kraus was a principled, humble man who sincerely believed that the Democratic Party is a political institution that can be a force for great good in the world. He was a devoted Democrat until the end of his honorable life and an inspiration to his friends and fellow volunteers.
  • Donna Krug (2018 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Many of you will recognize Donna, but may not know her. She has quietly came to Central Committee meetings for decades. She quietly attends fundraisers, caucuses, phone banks, and lit drops. She quietly has gone about her work in the party for decades. The only constant you may notice is she is always with her sister attending all of these events. She has been active on campaigns since the 1970's supporting candidates like Mike Blouin for Congress, Steve Sovern for Congress, and Gary Hart for President, as well as supporting all our local candidates. She has supported them in victory and in defeat. She has never gotten down and you never see her get excited when Democrats get elected. She has quietly supported all Democrats for decades. If you saw Donna Krug speak at a caucus, convention, or Central Committee meeting you have witnessed rare but well thought out remarks. Something we would like to see a little more out of the White House these days. Unlike elected officials, she follows the Teddy Roosevelt (sorry for quoting a Republican, but if he was alive today he would be a Democrat) line of "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." She has always been a person of action versus a person of attention. Donna Krug has spent her years outside the party privately practicing her faith and being very active at Resurrection Church and working in retail department stores and currently employed at Walmart. You probably notice most of all she usually attends these events with her sister Vicki, who last year was inducted into the Hall of Fame. We have so many people today who need to be noticed or recognize for achievements. We have many elected officials who strive to be noticed; but Donna is just the opposite. She has worked quietly for all Democrats for decades, never needing recognition or praise. She works quietly to try and make the world a better place. Let us recognize this work with a proper dignity for all those workers who work quietly election after election, year after year, decade after decade, through victory and defeat by placing Donna Krug in the Hall of Fame.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • Randolph W. Lyon
    Another example of an educator who continues to give, Randy taught elementary school in Dubuque from 1972-2010. He served two terms as president of the Dubuque Education Association (DEA) and served on the board of the JOC UniServ Unit of the Iowa State Education Association. Randy's service extends beyond teaching and education. He has served on the Dubuque Housing Commission. When election season rolls around, Randy can be found with a clipboard, and a stack of absentee ballot requests (ABRs). He knows how valuable ABRs are and there is only one word for his ability to collect them - legendary. He has collected literally thousands of ABRs. In 2013, he was recognized as a Volunteer of the Year. In 2012, he signed up 1,708 Dubuque residents, which was an individual Iowa record. In 2018, he has collected well over 400 ABRs so far.
• Volunteers of the Year:
  • Shari Flatt
    We all know that teachers are heroes, but Shari shows that retired teachers are superheroes! Shari is a founding member of Indivisible Dubuque. She hasn't stopped at organizing rallies (although she has done plenty of that as well). She helped plan the Dubuque Women's March in 2017. She organized a bus to go to the Women's March in Des Moines in 2018. She has helped organize, publicize, and has attended numerous rallies to draw attention to poor policies in Washington and in Des Moines. She can often be seen in front of Rod Blum's Dubuque Office, standing up for what is right, regardless of the weather. These rallies have kept activists engaged in a constructive way. Shari opens up her home and gives up her kitchen table for postcard writing parties. She and other volunteers have sent over 400 personalized postcards to young Democrats in House District 57 telling them how to get absentee ballots. She has not only knocked doors for every candidate on the ballot, she is willing to let new volunteers tag along with her to gain confidence at doors. No one is more dedicated to making social change both in people's hearts and at the ballot box.
  • Todd Lange
    The 2016 election made Todd question what he knew. To wrap his head around the Dubuque County results, he began to look at voting data. He realized that targeting early voting was well as a strong get out the vote effort could help result in Democratic victory. He volunteered his time during the 2017 City Council race to assist candidates and prepare for the 2018 election. During the primary, he could again be found preparing call sheets, driving candidates to canvas, and is currently volunteering for Democrats up and down the ticket. He has spent his free time collecting and crunching data to help candidates. He has spent countless hours volunteering on behalf of Democratic candidates. He has done all of this while working a full time job.

2017

• Hall of Fame Inductees (3):
  • Rick Baumhover (2017 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born on October 14,1960, the fifth son of Vi (Duggan) Baumhover and Ralph Skeets Baumhover, in Dubuque, Iowa. Rick is employed by Walgreen Drugs and works at the store on JFK and Asbury. He graduated from Hempstead High School in 1979. While attending Hempstead, Rick became interested in the political process, and in 1981 Rick joined the Democratic Party. He volunteers many hours at party headquarters and actively campaigned for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. Rick has chaired the Dubuque County Fair booth for the Democratic Party for the past 17 years. Rick is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish and serves as a Eucharistic minister of communion. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Volunteer Committee of the Dubuque Democratic Party. Among other things, Rick is a devoted Chicago Cubs fan, Deputy Grand Knight of Council 510 Knights of Columbus and a member of the Independent Baseball League's Hall of Fame.
  • Vicki Krug (2017 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Has been a democratic activist almost as long as her involvement at Resurrection Church. She volunteered on Mike Blouin's congressional races and remains friends with the Blouin family to this day. In 1980, Vicki along with her sister Donna became huge supporters of Steve Sovern in his run for Congress, and supported him again in his bid in 1990. During the 1980's Vicki took on the challenge of becoming treasurer of the Dubuque County Democratic Party, which she did for many years. Pat Murphy was blessed to meet Vicki and her sister Donna in 1989, when they came to his home. Shortly after he announced that he was running for State Rep., Vicki and Donna came to his home and met Pat and his family, interviewed him and became loyal supporters of the Murphy campaign. After supporting Pat in very tight nominating convention, she agreed to become treasurer for Murphy for State Representative (little did she know it would be for twenty-six years). During this time, over a quarter of a century, the campaign raised around $3 million. Vicki was required to file quarterly reports during this time. Folks, this is over 100 campaign finance reports. She spent many an hour camped out at the Murphy dining room table with her trusty calculator with tape running the numbers.
    She only came up for air when the pizza or chicken was delivered. See, she had the unique ability to blend this tedious job with a little fun, so that everyone actually looked forward to the "quarterly report sessions". She is meticulous, thorough, gifted with balancing the accounts. She soon had everyone trained on exactly what she needed to balance to the penny. She caught two banking errors.
    So impressed was the Iowa Campaign Finance and Disclosure, that Kay Williams approached Vicki to help develop the automated electronic campaign finance reporting system which is still currently being used by all campaigns in Iowa. That took talent. The only mistake made on the Murphy campaign was made when Pat filed a report in 2010 when Vicki was hospitalized. It was soon rectified. When Pat was Speaker of the House, those reports became bigger and more complicated and she was there, handling the increased responsibility in her normal laid back manner, putting everyone at ease.
    In all those years, she never once complained, and when asked she volunteered to be the treasurer of Pat's congressional campaign, she did not hesitate. It wasn't long before Vicki became something much more than a campaign treasurer; she and Donna became friends to Pat and his family. All the while, also doing her fair share for the party. Vicki has done it all. She has made phone calls, walked in parades, come to fundraisers, and attended the central committee meetings, debates, lit dropped and door-knocked. Vicki and her sister Donna have run precinct headquarters out of their home for decades. Many of us old-timers remember them always attending the central committee meetings with their mother Stella, who passed away a few years ago. All were stalwarts for the Democratic Party. Vicki is a quiet hero, does not desire the lime-light, never expects a thank you, is always in the background, quietly providing the necessary integral work that makes the party thrive, makes the candidate successful and the world a better place. Vicki is also active in the Community and her church. Hopefully, they realize what a treasure they have. Vicki is one of the kindest, self-less and beautiful person we know. This is long overdue and well deserved. This one is for you.
  • Don Vrotsos (2017 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Family:
    
    Wife: Juli Vrotsos
    Three daughters: Gwen Mayhan, husband Danny, children Naomi & Oliver, Niceville Fl; Chanda Hauschildt, husband Eric, son's Kai & Easton, Cedar Rapids, IA; Caitlin Siemionko, husband Steve, daughter Mila, Dubuque IA
    Career:
    38 Years in Law Enforcement with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Office
    1974 enlisted in the United States Army and became a Military Police Officer
    1977 hired as a Correctional Officer at the Anamosa State Penitentiary.
    July 1978, was hired by the Linn County Sheriff's Office. And just weeks later accepted a similar position with the Dubuque
    County Sheriff's Office.
    1978 - Started in the Dubuque County jail
    1981 - Moved to patrol division.
    1986 - Promoted to sergeant on patrol
    1989 - Appointed to Jail Administrator
    1992 - Promoted to Captain of the Criminal Investigation and Dubuque Drug Task Force. Don would later say that his time in the Drug Task Force was the "highlight of his career." He stated that "It was the challenge, he loved making cases against
    individuals that were destroying lives."
    2002 - He was appointed as Jail Administrator again as they were in the process of building a new jail facility with 160+ new beds.
    2005 - Was appointed by newly elected Sheriff Ken Runde to serve as his Chief Deputy.
    2010 - AppOinted as Sheriff by the Board of Supervisors and then elected in 2012 where he completed his term as Sheriff and retired on December 31st, 2016.
    Education:
    - Graduate of Wahlert High School {1972}
    - Enlisted in the US Army in 1974 where he served for 3 years (Vietnam-Era Veteran)
    - 1983 graduated from the University of Dubuque, with a double major in psychology and sociology.
    - Graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2001
    Achievements:
    - Graduated from the FBI National Academy where roughly 50,000 officers have been trained since the 1930's. Iowa typically sends a select few annually.
    - Was the first jail administrator of the new jail facility after being deeply involved with the new jail project in the early 2000's.
    - Assisted in the training of all Western Dubuque School District staff in regard to active shooters, along with assisting in numbering all rooms in the school district for responding emergency personnel.
    - Partnered with NICC to install an interactive shooting simulator to help officer's better train in situations that involve the use of deadly force.
    - Graduated from the FBI National Academy, where roughly 50,000 officers have been trained since the 1930's. Iowa typically sends a select few annually.
    - Elected as National Chairman for the Midwest Gang Investigators Association, a 10-state chapter organization.
    - Elected to 3 consecutive terms from 1995 - 2001 as Chairman of the MGIA.
    - In 1998, was a founding member of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations, which was made up of 16 gang investigators associations.
    - Was elected initial treasurer of the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations.
    - In 2007, elected National Treasurer of the MGIA and held that position through 2015.
    - In 2015, was again elected as National Chairman of the MGIA and currently holds that position.
    - In 2008, elected as President of the Iowa Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates.
• Volunteer of the Year:
  • Indivisible Dubuque (2017 Volunteer of the Year)
    Is a progressive, grassroots organization with one mission: To educate and activate voters by resisting the Trump agenda. To build stronger community, we ignite awareness, inspire activism, and invite engagement in local, state, and national issues.
    On the night of January 4,2017 Hillary volunteers were watching Rachel Maddow as she interviewed Ezra Levin, a former congressional staffer. Ezra and other former staffers wrote a practical document called the Indivisible Guide (indivisibleguide.org.) It's a practical summary of ways to respond to the changes taking place in Des Moines and Washington DC. It's a philosophy resisting the Trump agenda by focusing on ways to get your legislators' attention.
    A few days later those volunteers, still in disbelief over the election, decided to become a part of the national organization and created the
    Indivisible Dubuque FB page. There are now more than 6000 indivisible groups over the country and more than 3 million members. In Iowa the organization has leaders at the state, district, and local levels. In Dubuque there are 700 people on the newsletter email list. There are now close to 1300 people on the FB page. Indivisible Iowa has more than 10,000 Indivisible members. The goal of the First District membership is to unseat Congressman Rod Blum in 2018.
    Since the Women's March in January Indivisible Dubuque has hosted or taken part in more than 20 marches, rallies, town halls, and vigils. We have made thousands of phone calls, written hundreds of postcards, and many Letters to the Editor. If you are unhappy with the administration, we invite you to actively join us and participate. Just go to the Indivisible FB page and click like. Or text Indivisible to 22828. If you tweet, it's @indivisibledbq. On behalf of all the Indivisible Dubuquers, we thank you for recognizing us as Volunteers of the Year!

2016

• Hall of Fame Inductees (4):
  • Tom Hancock (2016 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born February 3, 1948, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Calvin "Blackie" and Margaret V. (Cooley) Hancock. He received his education in the Western Dubuque schools. On September 21, 1968, Tom was united in marriage to Coleen Dardis at St. John's the Baptist Church in Peosta, Iowa. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 31 years. Tom was a member of the Epworth Volunteer Fire Department. He joined at the age of 19, in 1968 and served for 45 years, in the capacity of paramedic volunteer and fire chief for 16 years. During his service, he led a group of volunteers to complete the paramedic training in the 1980s and their department became one the first rural volunteer services in the state to become certified in advanced life support. Tom also served as former president of the Iowa Firefighter's Association and past president of the Dubuque County EMS Association. He was an Iowa Senator for eight years until 2012, during which time he chaired a $635 million dollar justice budget. In November 2014, he was elected to the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors. Tom was also a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Epworth, Iowa. He passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 12:35 a.m. at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Tom is survived by his wife, Coleen Hancock and a son Steve Hancock, both of Epworth, IA; a brother, Gary G. (Bonnie) Hancock, of Epworth, IA; sisters and brothers-in-law, Micki Winders, of Dubuque, IA, Margie Dardis, of Dubuque, IA; Jack (Joan) Dardis, of Farley, IA and Frank (Beth) Dardis, of Peosta, IA.
  • Tom Avenarius (2016 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Has always had an interest in political events, positions, and people. In 1968, he joined the army. Tom went to serve in the Vietnam War in 1970 and 1971. He returned home from the Army and started a new job at John Deere in 1972 and also joined the UAW Union. In 1977, Tom moved to Asbury, where he continues to live today. After moving to Asbury, he decided to join the Asbury Fire Department in 1983, where he serves in various positions. Today, Tom still volunteers at the Asbury Fire Department as a board member, firefighter, and EMT. In 2003 the Asbury Eagles Club was founded, with Tom as one of the co-founders. He presently is a trustee for the club. Tom joined the Tri-State Vietnam Veterans Association in 2008 and in 2015 became the Sergeant-at-Arms. He ran for Iowa House District 32 in 2006 and 2008 against the Republican candidate, Steve Lueken. Tom helped with the Joe Biden campaign by door knocking, making phone calls, and giving him rides when needed. In 2006, he became a member of the Dubuque County Democratic Central Committee. After joining the Central Committee, he has served in various appointed positions on the Executive Board. Currently, Tom works at Eagle Point Place Retirement home as a part time maintenance person. He married Jane Kressig in 1973 and they have four children, ten grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.
  • Joyce F. Monahan (1942-2016) (2016 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born on October 6, 1942 to Alfred and Lolita Jochum. She was the second oldest of eight children. Joyce was raised a Catholic Democrat, and was taught to always help and fight for what you believe in. Her father worked at the Pack and was a proud member of the Meatpackers Union. Joyce and her sisters were active members in The Women's Recreation Association and were part of the movement in obtaining land off Cedar Cross road for women's softball and volleyball. Since 1974 when Joyce's younger brother Tom decided to run for State Representative, Joyce has been politically active. Joyce volunteered numerous hours phone calling, leaflet dropping, poll watching and running multiple precincts out of her home throughout each election cycle including her most rewarding campaigns: President Obama, former Governor Chet Culver and current Iowa State Senator Pam Jochum. Joyce has been a long standing member of the Dubuque County Democratic Party Central Committee and served on the Executive Board as Treasurer. She played an active role in re-establishing the Dubuque County Democratic Hall of Fame. Joyce also worked alongside Sue Wilson, Judith Schmidt, Terry Stewart, Maxiene Griep, and the family of Clarence Griep to help establish the Clarence Griep Scholarship. Joyce, along with her sisters, has been instrumental in sharing their love of politics and they became known as "The Jochum Machine". Joyce has shared her love of politics with her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren ensuring generations to follow will keep "The Jochum Machine" alive and fighting!
  • Therese (Teri) Gulick Murphy (2016 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born on July 4, 1959 to William and Mary Jo Gulick, and was the oldest of six children. She attended St Columbkille's School. She also had an African American foster brother who lived with them for four years, Joel Diefenbacher. Joel attended school at St Columbkille's with the Gulicks. Teri attended Wahlert High School and St. Theresa's College in Winona, Minnesota before deciding to come back home to attend the Finley Hospital School of Nursing where she graduated as an RN in 1981. She met her husband Pat Murphy in 1979, dating for nine months, getting engaged and getting married six months after that in December of 1980. Teri became an Emergency Nurse in the Finley ER for nine years before going to Mercy to work as Employment Health Nurse. She returned to Finley Hospital in 2002, again as an ER nurse. She later helped organize a voter where they got 59% approval for a nurses' union. In 2010, Teri worked for Communication Workers of America, successfully organizing two rural hospitals. In 2011 she returned to nursing at Mount Carmel, and last year went to work for Medical Associates as an Emergency Services Nurse. Earlier this year, she received the Be the Reason Award which is given when someone goes above and beyond in their service to others. Last year, Teri received the Nancy Hill Award from Hillcrest Family Services for her work over the last seven years of taking in children who had no place to go home for Christmas. Teri would buy them Christmas presents, and have them on Christmas eve for a large traditional family Christmas meal, opening up her entire home so they could watch movies, play video and board games in a regular household setting for four to six hours. Teri first became involved in politics attending caucuses with her husband Pat. She has helped out with numerous fundraisers for democratic candidates from helping her brother-in-law Supervisor and later Senator Larry Murphy in the early 1980's. She is known for her great St. Patrick's Day fundraiser at the Murphy house. She has door knocked for candidates from the early 1980's and concluded her career in door knocking when she fell and took a major face plant on a city street in Marion, skinning her nose and face while campaigning for Liz Mathis. From 1988 through 2006, the Murphy household was an Election Day precinct headquarters. She has served on the Central Committee from 1990 to the present. To date Teri has allowed the Murphy household to be supporter housing to nine different staffers in the last sixteen years. Campaign staff have been treated to numerous dinner retreats at the house after canvassing and phone-calling ended at 9p.m. Dinners included home-made pizza, spaghetti, manicotti, smoked chicken to name a few. They have four children Jake, who is a CNC operator for Kloeckner Metals; John, who is the Dubuque County Recorder; Joe, who is a Construction Manager for Tricon Construction in Cedar Rapids; and Natalie, who is a Special Education Teacher at the Anna B. Lawther Academy in Dubuque. They have nine grandchildren.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • SUSAN WILSON (2016 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award, 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born to the Ehrenkrantz family on March 13, 1949 and grew up in a New Jersey Republican suburb. Her earliest recollection of politics was when her Second Grade class had an election. Since everyone in HER family was voting for Adlai Stevenson, she was dumbfounded when the class elected IKE. That was the moment a new Democratic Activist was born. Her Democratic commitment grew with JFK's election and tragic assassination. While attending college in Connecticut, Sue discovered the meaning of phone banking, licking stamps, and canvassing while helping with the successful U.S. Senate campaign of Thomas Dodd, father of later Senator and presidential candidate Chris Dodd. Sue married another avid Democrat, Ray Wilson on 20 June 1971. When they moved to Iowa, politics got personal--not only meeting ALL the candidates, but working hard at the nitty gritty jobs behind the scenes. They first settled in Monticello in 1985 when Ray began teaching English at Loras College and Sue began teaching nursing at the University of Iowa. Sue's political mentor was Bev Hannon, State Senator from Jones County. As Co-Chair of Bev's successful re-election campaign, Sue learned many valuable lessons: how to avoid an electric fence when putting up barn signs, how to read a plat map and compare it to voter registration lists, how to navigate a Class C road in the rain and other finer points of persuading voters. Sue put these lessons to work in the Jones County Democrats, later becoming their Chairperson. When Sue and Ray moved to Dubuque in 1997, DCD Chair Leo Meier invited Sue to her first Exec Board meeting and she's been attending ever since. Her forte has been the Information Committee, and helping organize every caucus and county convention.
• Volunteers of the year:
  • Jeffrey Cue (2016 Volunteer of the Year)
    Is a life-long Dubuquer, graduating from Hempstead High School in 1981. His political / volunteer career started in his senior year government class. The teacher, Don Ruden, offered extra credit to work with one of the political parties. Jeff is not sure why he picked the Democratic party, as his family was not active in any politics. After a couple weeks of taking the bus to the headquarters on 9th and Main street, Mr. Ruden offered an independent study program for Jeff to work with the party and on Fridays talk about what he had learned and done. That is where Jeff met a man he would grow to respect and look up to as a mentor in the political field, Mike McFarland. Mike would have plenty of work for Jeff to do on whatever project he was working on, mostly congressional campaigns. Jeff stuffed envelopes, phoned called, door knocked (several thousand doors) put yard signs out - all the stuff required to help on a campaign. Jeff even had the pleasure of driving then congressional candidate Brent Apel to an event in Cedar Rapids. On the way home, he had the misfortune his car dying in the middle of the night just south of town. Over the years, Jeff met and worked with several presidential, congressional, and local candidates. His most memorable meeting was then presidential candidate George McGovern at Riverside Bowl with Jerry Pregler, who through the years Jeff would get to know and later employ up to his retirement. Jeff has stuck close to home with helping campaigns, mainly working with his good friend Wayne Demmer, and currently as the treasurer for the local Democratic Party. Jeff would reach out to Mike McFarland if he had questions right up through the election before Mike passed away at the beginning of this year. Jeff's been married to Ginger for going on 30 years; they have two children Ryan Elizabeth (Allen) Berger and Tyler Cue. They like to camp with friends at Swiss Valley, where Jeff has served on the County Conservation Board for the past seven years, the most recent three as Chair. Jeff says "what turned out to be a way to get extra class credit really turned into a life long love for the fast paced political life and desire to be active in the community, the want to give back is a desire that was in planted early in life in my hopes to give back to a community that has given so much to me, my family and friends".
  • George Tompkins (2016 Volunteer of the Year)
    Was raised in a Marine Corps family and moved frequently throughout his life, attending nine different schools between kindergarten and twelfth grade. Most of his early life was spent in North Carolina where he graduated from East Carolina University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. George and his family moved to Dubuque in 2007, and he began volunteering for the Dubuque Democrats during Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign. He joined the Dubuque Central Committee in 2012, serves as Finance Chair on the Executive Board, and is part of the First District Central Committee. George particularly enjoys working on the Dubuque Democrats website, assisting with the caucuses, and participating in conventions at the county, district, and state level.

2015

• Hall of Fame Inductees (4):
  • JANET DURHAM (2015 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    A teacher mother and labor union father influenced Janet's early interest in politics, elections, and human rights – before the age of five! The 1960 Kennedy election was a particular highlight at age 23 while living in the D.C. area during husband's military service. Returning to Dubuque, her involvement with partisan and non-partisan elections flourished under the mentorship of Dorothea Green and Marge Tully - precinct official, secretary of central committee (T.J. Mulgrew, Chair), officer in Democratic Women Club, League of Women Voters, plus appointments to various city and county boards and commissions. Janet became deputy commissioner of elections in 1977 in time to manage the county's entry into the new state-wide voter registration system and later on-line methods. Dedicated to ease of registering and voting, she spoke to groups and schools, encouraging full participation in the process. Leaving Dubuque in 1987 to join Paul in Wilmington, NC, she received commendations from Iowa County Auditors Assn. for her work and influence in Iowa voting. In N.C., Janet jumped into LWV activities and the political scene - secretary of Democratic Women Club, co-chair of first county Demo. "Caucus", and treasurer for State Demo. Women convention. During elections, she chaired various poll sites, some with 6,500 registered voters! Back in Dubuque, she's again active in precinct caucuses, making phone calls at headquarters, and the League. Quote from Janet: "Political participation is a great cross-generational opportunity to know people and encourage everyone to vote in every election, because elections have consequences!"
  • DAN ERNST (2015 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born in Des Moines and moved to Dubuque at age 6. He is a graduate of Dubuque Senior High, Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School. From 1957 to 1960, Dan served on active duty as a Judge Advocate General for the US Air force and several more years in the Air Force Reserves. He later served fifteen years in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Dan maintained an active law practice in Iowa and Illinois until 1991 when Governor Vilsack appointed him to lead the First Public Defender Office for Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque Counties. In 2006, he was appointed and served 12 years on the State Commission on Aging. Dan was a founding member of the Friends of the Mines and Spain and helped incorporate the non-profit, Children at Home. He has served on several other boards including the Board of Governors of the Iowa Bar Assn, the Red Cross trustees, the Mental Health Association and was moderator at First Congregational Church. Dan is a past President of the Dubuque County Bar Assn. He also was adjunct instructor at Clarke College. During retirement, Dan obtained certification to counsel and assist Veterans. He received the Governors Volunteer Award in 2001. Dan has been a Democratic Central Committee member for many years with duties as a caucus leader and poll watcher. He has been married to Ann for 59 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren. He recently wrote a book recalling the Waldena RockFest.
  • CHUCK ISENHART (2015 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Bud and Marcella Isenhart. He has four brothers, two sisters, 15 nieces and nephews, 21 great nieces and nephews and four goddaughters. Chuck attended Wahlert High School. He graduated from Loras College in 1981 with a Bachelor political science and mass communication. He received a Master of journalism from Marquette University in 1984. Chuck was a research assistant for the Institute for Catholic Media and an instructor at Marquette. He has also worked Interstate Power Company, the city of Dubuque, the Telegraph Herald (sports department) and the Iowa Oil Company. Previous to that, he was a reporter and editor for the Witness newspaper of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. From 1986 to 1990, Chuck was a freelance writer and publisher, working on the topics of education, health care, rural development, labor relations and other social and economic issues. He was a member of the National Writers Union, which he rejoined after starting his own small business, Common Good Services. Chuck has been active with Dubuque County Democratic Central Committee since 1989. He has chaired the County Platform Committee (1991 to 1999), the Research Committee (1989 to 1994) and Presidential Forum Planning Committee (2004). He has also been a precinct GOTV captain, precinct caucus chair and county convention delegate. From 1990 to 2007, Chuck was executive director of the Dubuque Area Labor-Management Council, which included work in labor relations, health care, construction and education/workforce development. In 2006, he served as policy director for Rick Dickinson for Congress. He has served on community boards too numerous to name. Chuck is the ranking member on the Environmental Protection committee. He also serves on Economic Growth, Ways and Means, and Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations. In his spare time, Chuck enjoys officiating soccer and basketball games, playing fantasy hockey, hiking and biking, as well as traveling to visit friends and see the world.
  • FRED MCCAW, (1946-2006) (2015 Hall of Fame Inductee & 2007 Certificate of Gratitude)
    Fred McCaw graduated from Dubuque Senior H.S. in 1963, University of Iowa (economics) in 1968, and University of Iowa School of Law in 1972. Working for Legal Services initially, he transferred to the Dubuque County Attorney Office in 1976. His peers came to appreciate his intellect, leadership, and kindness. Fred always had the courage to make the tough but not rash decisions, regardless of popular sentiment. Fred was first elected County Attorney in 1987. He was widely admired by Iowa attorneys and became President of the Iowa Attorneys Assn. in 2002 and 2003. When Fred passed away in 2006 of an apparent heart attack while he was bicycling on vacation in South Dakota at age 60, the executive director of Iowa Attorneys Assn stated that in his time with the association, no one had contributed as much as Fred to the association. He specialized in the standards and conduct areas - put simply - ethics. His pursuit of justice was two-fold: any charge should fit the act, but it must be investigated and prosecuted the right way. Fred and Ann Linscheid were married in 1971 and have three children: Shana McCaw (Brent Budsberg); Lindsay McCaw; and Evan McCaw (Hyokung Won). They witnessed this extraordinary man build his own boat, learn to fly and earn his pilot's license, and after teaching himself to sail, he and Ann bought a sailboat.
• Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award:
  • JOYCE CONNORS (2015 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award)
    Grew up in Cuba City, WI, the 3rd of 5 children. She moved to Dubuque when she was 19 years old. Joyce worked at John Deere Dubuque Works where she met (and married) Tom Connors. Joyce and Tom have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Joyce was a stay-at-home mom for many years, raising the children, running the household and volunteering at her church, the kids' school and the Dubuque Community. About the time Joyce turned 40 she decided to go to college. She enrolled at Clarke University where she obtained a Bachelor of Psychology. Upon graduation, Joyce was hired to develop a domestic violence prevention program in Galena, IL. A year later she was hired by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque where she provided unplanned pregnancy counseling to teenagers and was promoted to Director of the Adoption Program. In 2004 Joyce was named as the first Director of the newly created Office for Protection of Children. She retired in 2007. In 2001, Joyce was first elected to the Dubuque City Council, representing Ward 3, and is currently serving her 4th term. She prides herself as being a good listener and very approachable. Along with doing City business, which is very public, she quietly goes about problem solving and advocating for constituents who contact her. Service to others has always been an important component in Joyce's life; as volunteer, as a counselor and as an elected official.
• Carrie Chapman Catt Center Plaza of Heroines bricks:
  • ANN MICHALSKI, (1932-2014) (2008 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Ann O'Hara Michalski was born in Harvey, Illinois to John Campbell O'Hara and Esther Mary Murray on Dec. 21, 1932. Ann graduated in 1950 from Loretto Academy, Chicago. While visiting colleges, Ann "fell in love at first sight" with both CLARKE COLLEGE and the City of Dubuque. She graduated from Clarke in 1954. Ann later served on the Board of the Clarke College Alumni Association. She married James Joseph Michalski on April 12, 1958 in Hazel Crest, IL. Ann's first job was as a social worker. Later, she taught high school at Mother of Sorrows in Blue Island, IL and Elizabeth Seton in South Holland, IL, and, in 1972, received an MA in Theology from Saint Xavier College. Ann and Jim moved to Dubuque, in 1979, where their son John attended college at LORAS COLLEGE. She was a Pastoral Associate at St. Patrick's Parish until 1986. From then until retirement in 1998, she worked as an Administrative Assistant, Development Director and finally, Director of Human Resources at The Gannon Center for Community Mental Health. In the 1980s and 1990s, she also served as an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Clarke University and Loras. Ann was a dedicated community activist and advocate for many issues: the Mental Health America Board, revitalizing downtown Dubuque, the Housing Commission, Community Development Block Grant Commission, Dubuque Main Street, Dubuque Initiatives, Solid Waste Management Board, Dubuque Symphony League, Fine Arts Commission, Four Mounds Association, and was a strong advocate for CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. In 1996, she was elected to the Dubuque City Council and served three terms, leaving office in 2007. Her principle commitments as city council member were to coalition-building, advocacy for the voiceless, and promotion of quality of life. She was especially proud of having worked to pass a Human Rights ordinance protecting the LGBT community, and to re-open Main Street in downtown Dubuque. In 2008 she became president of the League of Women Voters. Ann was an Associate of the SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (BVM). She was a staunch liberal Democrat-a great fan of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson-and believed that government should work actively to improve people's lives. Ann was very proud to have been inducted into the Dubuque County Democratic Hall of Fame in 2008. Special achievements include the Clarke Humanitarian Award, Dubuque Mental Health Advocate Award, the State of Iowa Volunteer Award, the Gannon Center Outstanding Staff Member Award, Iowa Community Mental Health Center Outstanding Staff Award, National League of Cities Outstanding Woman Elected Official, CWV Human Rights Award, the 2007 Elisha Darlin Arts Award, the Library Advocacy Award and the Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in Dubuque, IA on July 19, 2014. In 2015 the Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award was created in Ann's honor to recognize excellence by an individual.
  • RUTH SCHARNAU (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee, 2014 DAWN's List Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015 Carrie Chapman Catt Center Plaza of Heroines Brick, Ruby Sutton Award)
    Ruth was born in Waukesha, WI, 1933. The Scharnau family moved to Dubuque in 1970 when Ralph Scharnau took a position in the history department at the University of Dubuque. Soon after, the Scharnaus became involved in Dubuque County Democratic politics, volunteering for phone banks and door knocking, hosting candidate coffees, and working at election-day precinct headquarters. They were inspired by Democratic initiatives for gender and racial equality. For many years, Ruth worked as a speech therapist in the Galena, Illinois, schools and later worked with children who had behavioral disorders. From 1972 to 1973, she served on the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, but resigned in protest about lack of resources committed to the Commission. In the early 1970s, Ruth became involved in the women's movement and was a charter member of the Dubuque chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She served as president of Dubuque NOW in 1978. In the 1970s and early 1980s passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was one of Ruth's main political activities. She also supported gay and lesbian rights, civil rights, and nuclear disarmament. She participated in the first gay rights rally in Dubuque in the fall of 1988, and attended a protest at the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 2001. In 2002, the Dubuque branch of the (N.A.A.C.P.) honored Scharnau with the Ruby Sutton award.
• Volunteers of the year:
  • KEVIN HEALY (2015 Volunteer of the Year)
    KEVIN HEALY's interest in politics was probably seeded with him being born on election day 1972. As a child, he was exposed to election day activities at home as precinct headquarters where he helped with activities. He graduated from Ellsworth Community College with a degree in science. He attended both Iowa State and Loras. He has an expansive knowledge of history and much interest in politics He begin doing some door knocking and calling for candidates in 2004. When Obama started running for the 2008 election, Kevin was very involved in doing phone calling and some door knocking in Davenport. Upon his return to Dubuque his participation in both activities has continued. This last election he volunteered for Murphy's campaign as much he could around his work schedule.
  • SHIRLEY MCVAY (1937-2015) (2015 Volunteer of the Year)
    Was born November 13, 1937, in Dubuque, daughter of Robert and Theresa (Foht) Sutter. She was raised in Dubuque's southend, where she attended St. Raphael's grade school and St. Joseph's Academy. Shirley graduated from St. Columbkille's High School. She married Maynard McVay on July 13, 1956, at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Shirley worked for many years at the Dubuque Greyhound Park. She liked to take walks at the Mall and also greatly enjoyed helping the Democratic Party. Shirley was a Democrat all of her voting life. Most recently, she worked on both Obama campaigns, and Pat Murphy's run for Congress from start to finish. Shirley's goal (and that of the younger headquarters staff) was to get Democrats over 55 out to vote in Dubuque County. She had said "I am ready to go again, and will do my utmost for Hillary Rodham Clinton or whoever gets nominated." Shirley died a peaceful death surrounded by her family on Friday, May 15, 2015. Carolyn Pfab Koppes had gone to the home to see the family and was told that Shirley died half an hour before Carolyn came. Carolyn said, "Shirley was the most loyal volunteer ever and so proud to have met Pres. Obama and be a Democrat."

2014

• Hall of Fame Inductees (4):
  • CONNIE BENNETT (2014 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Like her parents before her, Connie is a lifelong Democrat. After returning to Dubuque in 1973, Connie became politically active in 1974 when her brother Tom (Jochum) vied for and won a special election for State Representative. Since 1974, she remained actively involved in many campaigns and also served on the Dubuque Democrat Central Committee for many years. During the 80's and 90's, Connie, along with members of her extensive family dubbed themselves 'The Jochum Machine' and most Democratic candidates sought their support. Connie contributed countless hours phone calling, leaflet dropping, and poll watching, but her most enjoyable task was always door knocking - she enjoyed talking with other Dubuque residents about the campaign issues. Some of Connie's most rewarding campaign times include former Governor Chet Culver, President Barack Obama, and current Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum. Other enjoyable events include helping with the organization of former Iowa State Senator Mike Conley's retirement party, helping organize the Open House for our Democratic Headquarters that was located at K-Mart Plaza (lots of paint!), and having the pleasure to meet and introduce singer Carole King during a John Kerry fundraising event. Although wintering in Florida and recent health issues have slowed her political activity, Connie is yet a feisty Democrat who WON'T BACK DOWN from her belief of Democratic principles providing the best path for America's future. Connie is humbled and proud to be nominated and elected to the Dubuque County Democrats Hall of Fame and would like to thank everyone who helped make this very exciting evening possible.
  • ROBERT "BOB" FISCH (2014 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born at the family home on Janson Street in the northeast part of Dubuque called the "point" on April 23, 1921. He was the youngest of 8 children of Dominic and Matilda (Datisman) Fisch. His father was an immigrant from Luxemburg and the paternal family lived on a farm in St. Catherine. His father Dominic worked for the Railroad and his mother was a housewife. bob went to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Marshall Elementary School, Jefferson Junior HIgh School and Senior HIgh School, graduating in 1941. 1941-1942 was a busy time for Bob, he graduated from High School, started working for the Dubuque Packing Company, married Marion (Schroeder) in 1942 at Nativity Catholic Church and volunteered to enter the United States Air Force as a member of the World War II generation. Bob never left the United States because as a talented typist he always worked in the offices of the Officers and also helped repair airplanes. After returning from the service, Bob resumed his job at the Dubuque Packing Company. In the 1950s Bob built his family home at 722 W. 11th Street. He and Marion started their family which eventually included four daughters and one son. Another son, Robert Jr. died at childbirth. He now has over ten grandchildren. Marion passed away in 1999. Bob worked at the Dubuque Packing Company for 42 years, became a talented "hamboner" and retired in 1983. After his retirement Bob worked part time at the 4th Street Elevator as the Elevator operator where he loved talking to the tourist from near and far. Bob was an active Dubuque Democratic Party volunteer and volunteered in Senator Tom Harkin's Dubuque office for many years. He was involved in many civic organizations; he was in the Choir at Nativity Church, Operation New View (River Valley CAP), the Meatcutters Union Local 150, Friends of Community, the 11th Street Neighborhood Group, which he helped organize and lead. he volunteered for the City of Dubuque on their Housing Commission and Community Development. He started volunteering at the Foster Grandparent organization and eventually became Chairman of Foster Grandparent Board. Bob recently had some health problems and is now retired to Oak Park Place where he keeps busy reading and with his family. He has a natural optimistic view of life and just celebrated his 93rd birthday.
  • LLOYD "CASEY" HAYES (2014 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was a County Supervisor and occasional Chair of the Board during interesting times in Dubuque County. He came on board in the late 1970s and he lived until October of 1987. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II, a successful businessman, and a very proud Irishman. he owned Hayes Feed and Seed in Key West. He loved and collected antique horse-drawn buggies, and he started the Carriage Rides in the Ice Harbor. He was carried to his funeral in Key West, in a horse-drawn hearse, accompanied, by grateful friends and family. Lloyd was also a man with big ideas. The 10-year courthouse renovation had begun when he was elected, and he was there to see it finished in 1984. It was his idea to gild the dome at a time when the tee-shirts were proclaiming that the last one to leave Dubuque should turn off the lights. And he headed the committee to raise the money for the gilding. So when you drive by, think of him when you see the beauty of that dome, a beacon of hope in the despair of that time. And he longed to see the private property along the Mississippi south of Dubuque become public, to save its beauty for the public and for the future. He worked ceaselessly with the organization that became the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation to accomplish that goal, which resulted in the creation of the "Mines of Spain." He was a proud Democrat and seemed always to be selling tickets to things sponsored by the Party. He valued and served his constituents and listened to them. On the day that he became ill he had been at Sunnycrest Manor, consulting with the administrator about current issues of that time. he was very comfortable in the company of the Democrats! We welcome Lloyd to the "Hall of Fame" for Dubuque County Democrats.
• DAWN's List Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award:
  • ANN MICHALSKI, (1932-2014) (2008 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Ann O'Hara Michalski was born in Harvey, Illinois to John Campbell O'Hara and Esther Mary Murray on Dec. 21, 1932. Ann graduated in 1950 from Loretto Academy, Chicago. While visiting colleges, Ann "fell in love at first sight" with both CLARKE COLLEGE and the City of Dubuque. She graduated from Clarke in 1954. Ann later served on the Board of the Clarke College Alumni Association. She married James Joseph Michalski on April 12, 1958 in Hazel Crest, IL. Ann's first job was as a social worker. Later, she taught high school at Mother of Sorrows in Blue Island, IL and Elizabeth Seton in South Holland, IL, and, in 1972, received an MA in Theology from Saint Xavier College. Ann and Jim moved to Dubuque, in 1979, where their son John attended college at LORAS COLLEGE. She was a Pastoral Associate at St. Patrick's Parish until 1986. From then until retirement in 1998, she worked as an Administrative Assistant, Development Director and finally, Director of Human Resources at The Gannon Center for Community Mental Health. In the 1980s and 1990s, she also served as an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Clarke University and Loras. Ann was a dedicated community activist and advocate for many issues: the Mental Health America Board, revitalizing downtown Dubuque, the Housing Commission, Community Development Block Grant Commission, Dubuque Main Street, Dubuque Initiatives, Solid Waste Management Board, Dubuque Symphony League, Fine Arts Commission, Four Mounds Association, and was a strong advocate for CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. In 1996, she was elected to the Dubuque City Council and served three terms, leaving office in 2007. Her principle commitments as city council member were to coalition-building, advocacy for the voiceless, and promotion of quality of life. She was especially proud of having worked to pass a Human Rights ordinance protecting the LGBT community, and to re-open Main Street in downtown Dubuque. In 2008 she became president of the League of Women Voters. Ann was an Associate of the SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (BVM). She was a staunch liberal Democrat-a great fan of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson-and believed that government should work actively to improve people's lives. Ann was very proud to have been inducted into the Dubuque County Democratic Hall of Fame in 2008. Special achievements include the Clarke Humanitarian Award, Dubuque Mental Health Advocate Award, the State of Iowa Volunteer Award, the Gannon Center Outstanding Staff Member Award, Iowa Community Mental Health Center Outstanding Staff Award, National League of Cities Outstanding Woman Elected Official, CWV Human Rights Award, the 2007 Elisha Darlin Arts Award, the Library Advocacy Award and the Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in Dubuque, IA on July 19, 2014. In 2015 the Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award was created in Ann's honor to recognize excellence by an individual.
  • RUTH SCHARNAU (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee, 2014 DAWN's List Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015 Carrie Chapman Catt Center Plaza of Heroines Brick, Ruby Sutton Award)
    Ruth was born in Waukesha, WI, 1933. The Scharnau family moved to Dubuque in 1970 when Ralph Scharnau took a position in the history department at the University of Dubuque. Soon after, the Scharnaus became involved in Dubuque County Democratic politics, volunteering for phone banks and door knocking, hosting candidate coffees, and working at election-day precinct headquarters. They were inspired by Democratic initiatives for gender and racial equality. For many years, Ruth worked as a speech therapist in the Galena, Illinois, schools and later worked with children who had behavioral disorders. From 1972 to 1973, she served on the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, but resigned in protest about lack of resources committed to the Commission. In the early 1970s, Ruth became involved in the women's movement and was a charter member of the Dubuque chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She served as president of Dubuque NOW in 1978. In the 1970s and early 1980s passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was one of Ruth's main political activities. She also supported gay and lesbian rights, civil rights, and nuclear disarmament. She participated in the first gay rights rally in Dubuque in the fall of 1988, and attended a protest at the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 2001. In 2002, the Dubuque branch of the (N.A.A.C.P.) honored Scharnau with the Ruby Sutton award.
• Certificates of Gratitude:
  • PATRICK J. MURPHY (2010)
    Was born and raised in Dubuque, the ninth of ten children. He is a graduate of Wahlert High School and Loras College. In 1989, he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and, in 2003, became Democratic leader, whereby he played a major role in regaining a Democratic majority in the House in 2006. He was elected Speaker in 2007. Pat has advocated for human services, health care, appropriations, expanded preschool programs, renewable energy, Iowa's veterans and for raising the minimum wage and K-12 teacher salaries.
  • Kathy Ann Flynn Thurlow

2013

• Hall of Fame Inductees (4):
  • IVADELL (IVY) BURNS BREHM (2013 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born 22 November 1938, and has lived in Vernon Township in Dubuque County all her life. She married Bill in 1958, and together they raised six sons - Alvin, Merlin, Patrick, Philip, Cletus, and Lyle. They enjoyed giving tours of their farm to young school children, delighting them with hayrides at the end. Bill passed away in 2008. Helping professional women enjoy motivational speakers through the Women's Awareness program was and is important to Ivy. The program was started by the county extension service and continued by Northeast Iowa Community College. As a good Democrat, Ivy devoted a lifetime to attending precinct caucuses, county, and state conventions, and for many years she was in charge of organizing the Democratic Party booth at the Dubuque County Fair, and still helps today. In 1984, she was the first woman elected to the Western Dubuque school board, where she served for 12 years, helping expand the system as well as modernize the curriculum. Fundraising for the WD marching band consumed much of her time, and Ivy and Bill chaperoned the 225 members to various events, including the U.S. Presidential inaugurations of Jimmy Carter in 1977 and Bill Clinton in 1993. Most of her sons were members of the band. The county library was important to Ivy and she helped it in various ways, including fundraising. She also taught religious education classes (CCD) at Holy Family parish at the Monastery.
  • JOHN LOUIS DUFFY (1899 - 1969) (2013 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was the son of Thomas H. Duffy, who served as chairman of the Dubuque County Democratic Party for about 30 years. John's mother was Mary Murphy, sister of Richard Louis Murphy, who was U.S. Senator from Iowa from 1933 to 1936, and for whom Murphy Park is now named. John Duffy was a veteran of WW I, graduated Columbia (now Loras) College, and Notre Dame School of Law. He first entered the Legislature in 1947 but dropped out four years later to take over the county attorney's post in Dubuque, which he had also held in the 1930s. John served 8 years total as Dubuque County attorney. In the '30s, he successfully prosecuted Marlo Heinz for murder and, by law, was required to witness Heinz's eventual hanging. John returned to Iowa House in 1955 and served until 1968, when he was suceeded by Michael Blouin. John was so struck by the gruesomeness of capital punishment he devoted much of his 14 years as a Representative to its abolishment. After dramatically recounting his witness of a hanging, the House voted to repeal capital punishment for all crimes. The bill passed the Senate and was signed into law by the Governor in February 1965. John also originated the repeal of the Sunday "blue laws", and supported both liquor by the drink and the "closed shop" labor bill. He became famed for his speeches in the House on St. Patrick's Day, during which he lauded the accomplishments of noted Irishmen. John was also a member of the Dubuque County Bar Assn., St. Columbkille Church, and the Marquette Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters. His deceased family included wife Antoinette; daughter Sheila Duffy Casey (Colorado); two sons, Thomas J. and Roger L; three brothers brother Prof. Charles J. Duffy (Akron, Ohio), Thomas and Stanford; and Shelia's daughter Shawn Casey Lohman. He is survived by Shelia's daughter Carolyn Casey Ferris (California); two great grandchildren, Mike and Ann Lohman (Colorado); nephew Stanford Duffy (Waterloo); two nieces by Charles, Julia Duffy Ward (Oxford, OH) and Elizabeth Duffy Woodford (Ann Arbor, MI) and first cousin once-removed U.S. District Attorney Richard Murphy (Cedar Rapids, grandson of Senator Murphy and Ellen McGuire) and his three siblings.
  • TERI HAWKS GOODMANN (2013 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born and raised by Democratic Parents in Davenport, Iowa, later moving to Dubuque. She worked for sixteen years as a political campaign manager and consultant, managing campaigns for city, county, and state legislative campaigns. Teri also coordinated and served in leadership roles for numerous congressional and presidential campaigns. In 1988, she supported Joe Biden's first presidential attempt, and started a friendship with the future vice-president that continues to this day. Teri also provided leadership at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and National Rivers Hall of Fame for eighteen years serving as Director of marketing and Director of development and national advancement. Responsibilities included management of government relations and strategic partnerships, fund development, national outreach and education. She was the lead campaign coordinator for the nationally recognized and highly successful America's River project, the $188 million phase one riverfront redevelopment initiative in Dubuque, Iowa which opened in 2003. Teri was appointed Assistant City Manager in February 2008. Her focus in this position is intergovernmental relations, strategic partnerships, and private and public grant funding. Teri is the City's legislative liaison working with city, county, state and federal elected and appointed government officials maintaining effective working relationships and alliances. She and her husband John have four children; Emily, Ellen, Edward and Elise, son in law Tom Miller, soon to be daughter in law, Kristin Janzen and a granddaughter Violet Miller. Teri has also served on a number of boards: trustee of Clarke University; trustee for the National Waterways Foundation; a founding steering committee member of America's Watershed Initiative; the national advisory board for Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana; the Iowa Chapter of the Nature Conservancy; the John C Culver Public Policy Center at Simpson College; past chair of the Dubuque Regional Airport Commission; Hillcrest Family Services; Dubuque Initiatives; the Friends of the Mines of Spain and the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Other appointments include: by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) advising the Commission for Environmental Cooperation as defined in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); by the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors to the Judicial Nominating Board; and by Governor Terry Branstad to the Norman Borlaug Congressional Statue Commissioning Committee. Past gubernatorial appointments include: by Governor Tom Vilsack to the Vertical Infrastructure Advisory Committee and State Historical Society of Iowa; by Governor Chet Culver to the State of Iowa Smart Growth Planning Task Force, the Mississippi River Partnership Council and as Co-Chair of the Commercial Property Tax Reform Task Force.
  • JEREMIAH MATTHEW "JERRY" LYNCH (2013 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born an Irish Catholic Democrat on Sept. 2 1944 at Mercy Hospital in Dubuque. He was raised on a small farm in Washington Township near New Melleray Abbey. Jerry went to a one-room country grade school graduating in 1958 with Jane Lyons as his only classmate. He then went to Loras Academy for one year, which was started as Saint Raphael's Seminary in 1839 by Bishop Mathias Loras, Reverend Cretin, and Reverend Mazzuchelli. It was later moved to Dubuque, renamed after Loras, and in 1893, the Academy was incorporated under the laws of Iowa to grant high school degrees while an associated college granted Liberal Arts degrees. In 1959, Loras Academy closed and Wahlert Catholic High School opened. Jerry graduated from Wahlert High School in 1962. He went to Loras College with Mike Blouin and Tom Miller but Jerry dropped out of school when his Dad died, and worked at Trausch baking, Dubuque Packing Co, Trus Joist, Flexsteel, and 59 days at John Deere unit 1 in the foundry. He then went to the University of Dubuque and graduated in 1970 with a secondary degree in teaching History, Social Studies, Psychology and Driver Education. Jerry was hired at Western Dubuque and took classes at Truman State University in Kirksville Mo. to get a Master of Counseling. He taught and counseled until retiring in 2001. Jerry also played Baseball for the Bernard Indians for about 17 years and was inducted into the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. He got involved in politics around 1960 by helping with campaigns. Jerry was elected to the Dubuque County Central Committee in 1966 and has been on since. Jerry has also been involved at the District and State levels and is now Co-chair of the First Congressional District Democratic Central Committee and Chair of the Operations Committee for the Iowa Democratic Party.
• Outstanding Elected Official:
  • THOMAS JAMES VILSACK (2013 Outstanding Elected Official)
    Graduated from Kirkland College in Clinton, New York, where he met his wife, Ann Christine “Christie” Bell. In October 1968, Tom approached Christie in the college's cafeteria and asked, "Are you a Humphrey or a Nixon supporter?" She said, "Humphrey" and that was the start of their relationship. The couple married Aug. 18, 1973, in back of Christie's home in Mount Pleasant, which had a 39-acre pasture. In 1975, the couple moved to Mount Pleasant, and Tom Vilsack started practicing law with his father-in-law, Tom Bell. Tom was elected to the state Senate in 1992 and re-elected in 1994. In 1998, he was elected Iowa's first Democratic governor in 32 years. Tom came from 20 points behind in the polls to upset Republican Jim Ross Lightfoot. Tom limited himself to two terms as Iowa Governor, and in 2006 Chet Culver succeeded him. In 2008, President Obama nominated Tom to be United States Secretary of Agriculture, a position he currently holds. Tom and Christie have two children, Jess, now 35, and Doug, now 32.
• Volunteers of the year:
  • CAROLINE PFAB KOPPES (2013 Volunteer of the Year)
    Was born in Bernard, Iowa on October 27, 1947, the eighth of ten children of Henry and Regina (Kurt) Pfab. As a member of a strong Democratic family, she remembers that the family's first television was purchased, just in time to be able to "see" the National Democratic convention in the summer of 1955. Her family identified with being Roosevelt Democrats because FDR "had saved the country." When John F. Kennedy was campaigning for the Presidency in 1960, Caroline had compiled a scrapbook of every picture/article she could find of Senator Kennedy and his lovely wife. As a high school student, she remembers the shock and sadness when the teacher (a Franciscan nun) told the class that "our President was killed!" When Caroline attended Trinity College in Washington D.C. she stuffed envelopes in several Senators' offices. Caroline was a Special Education teacher for 39 years, with 32 of them being at Washington Junior High (now Middle) School. While teaching, her involvement with politics consisted of voting, caucusing, contacting legislators on particular issues, and keeping current on various issues. After hearing Senator Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004, Caroline realized that his vision of America is what she also envisioned. She met Senator Barack Obama when he spoke from the back of a pick-up at Lincoln School and signed a pledge card to caucus for him the following January. After her retirement from teaching, she made the decision to work tirelessly for the President's re-election. In the summer of 2010, Caroline got involved in canvassing for the midterms. She then became a Neighborhood Team Leader for Organizing for America - Iowa.
  • RANDOLPH W. "RANDY" LYON (2013 Volunteer of the Year)
    Taught 4th, 5th and 6th grades at Hoover Elementary School from 1972-2010. He was a member of the district's first Talented and Gifted committee, helping write a grant to fund a pilot program in the early 1970s. Randy frequently served on the district's science and social studies committees. In 1991, He was one of the first ten educators in Dubuque County to receive the Gold Star Award for teaching from KWWL. In 2006, Randy received the Excellence in Education Award from the Masons of the Mosaic Lodge No. 125 and he was one of five finalists for the 2010 Iowa Teacher of the Year award. In 2008, Randy was selected the historian of the Dubuque Community School District. He was a two-term president of Dubuque Education Association (DEA) and served on the board of the JDC UniServ Unit of the Iowa Education Association. Outside of teaching, Randy served on the Dubuque Housing Commission, and is currently a deacon at First Congregational United Church of Christ. His wife, Ruth, serves as the director of the bell choir and for twenty-five years was the vocal choir director at First Congregational. Their daughters Christine and Angela are a partner in a California law firm and an instructional designer for an educational publishing company in Iowa City respectively. In 1972, Randy wrote The Water Flows: A Primary Source History of the American Indian, and a three-filmstrip series based upon the Archaeological Dig at Tel Gezer in Israel. He is the author of Dubuque, the Encyclopedia (1991) and With Faith and Fortunes: An Encyclopedia of Dubuque County (1998). Randy is the web developer of encyclopediadubuque.org, based upon these books, for the Carnegie-Stout Public Library. In five years, this online source of Dubuque history has received more than 130,000 visitors. He also contributed to three regional encyclopedias - The Encyclopedia of the Midwest (1989), The Encyclopedia of the Central West (1990), and The Encyclopedia of the Far West (1991) - and co-authored Between Two Rivers: Iowa Year by Year, 1846-1996 published by the Iowa State Press. In 2007 the Iowa State Education Association produced Randy's Shining Stars and Everyday Heroes, a 2-CD kit including over 5,800 entries and a year's course of daily oral language activities based on Iowa history and lesson plans designed to encourage writing, map skills, and even an appreciation of a community's architectural history. Articles written by him have appeared in The Iowan, Science Activities, Arts and Activities, Julien's Journal, Flower and Garden and Learning magazines. In 2012, Randy signed up 1,708 Dubuque residents, an individual Iowa record, for early or absentee voting in the presidential election.

2012

• Hall of Fame Inductees (8):
  • MICHAEL BLOUIN (2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born on 7 Nov. 1945 in Jacksonville, Fl, and began attending Loras College in 1962 at age 16, graduating in 1966. Tom Miller, now Iowa's Attorney General, was one of Mike's best friends at Loras, and they helped shape the Loras Young Democrats into a strong local and state presence. Mike served as President of the group, and as a Young Dem National Committeeman. After graduation, he began teaching 5th grade at Nativity School. When Mike decided to run for the Iowa House, his students and their parents volunteered to help his campaign, and he was sworn in to office in Jan. 1968. Mike and Suzi's twin daughters, Amy and Lisa, were born two days after the end of his 1st House session. He won a second term in the Iowa House in 1970, and was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1972. In 1974 Mike was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Joe Hauer was teaching in Waterloo, and left his job to run Mike's First congressional campaign, then headed Mike's Iowa Staff and Operations. Joe left that job to attend seminary, and Father Hauer presently serves Resurrection Church. Dennis Houlihan later ran Mike's Iowa office. Mike was re-elected in 1976. While in Congress, he participated in the Democratic Caucus with fellow Iowa Representatives Berkley Bedell, Tom Harkin, and Neal Smith. Mike lost his seat in 1978, and in 1979 was appointed by the Carter Administration to be Director of Information and Security Oversight, dealing with worldwide classified information. He took leave to help in the Iowa and Maine caucuses, and then returned to Washington as Assistant Director of the Community Services Administration. Mike returned to Iowa in 1981, working six years for Kirkwood Community College as Director of Grants and Governmental Regulations, responding to needs for workforce development. In 1986, he was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Dubuque. From 1987-1999, Mike worked for the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and from 1999-2003, the Greater Des Moines Partnership for Community and Economic Development. In 2003, he was appointed by Gov. Vilsack to be Director of the Iowa Dept. of Economic Development. Mike took leave from July 2005 to August 2006 in a primary run for Iowa governor, and then returned to the Vilsack Administration. In 2007, Mike and Suzi returned to Dubuque when Mike became President of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, from where he retired in Jan. 2012.
  • SUZANNE BLOUIN (2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born on 22 July 1945 in Des Moines. She moved to Dubuque in 1963 to attend Clarke College (Univ). In her senior year in the fall of 1966 she began dating a recent Loras grad, by the name of Mike Blouin. Thus began a lifetime of commitment to each other and to public service. Mike began a race for the Iowa House of Representatives, and Suzi devoted boundless energy to helping him win the primary and general elections by bringing organizational clarity to the campaign. Suzi and Mike married in July 1967, and she began teaching at Dubuque Senior High that August, where she had a new student named Roy Buol, now Dubuque's mayor. Suzi and Mike's campaign succeeded and Mike took a seat in the Iowa House in 1968, representing southern Dubuque city and county. In addition to being Mike's strongest political ally and aide, Suzi worked in the Carter Administration in 1979-80 in the newly created Department of Education. She took leave in 1980 to help organize the Iowa Caucuses for Carter. Later she was business manager for HACAP in Cedar Rapids for 17 years. In Jan. 1999 Gov. Vilsack asked her to be his Director of Appointments for Boards and Commissions. When Suzi and Mike returned to Dubuque in Jan. 2007, she became one of the first women to serve as Pastoral Administrator for St. Patrick and St Mary parishes in the Dubuque Archdiocese. Suzi recently completed 25 years of service on the Clarke University Board of Trustees, and received the 1st Presidential Alumni Appreciation Award.
  • MICHAEL P. HOGAN JR. (2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Known as M.P. Hogan was born on 8 October 1904 to Michael P. Hogan Sr. and Anna Stafford. M.P.'s first wife, Aurelia Ellwanger, died in 1939. M.P. was named Justice of the Peace in 1941, filling the unexpired term of Hogan Sr. when he died that year. M.P. was then elected to that office for one term. In 1942, he married Ester L. Gau, with whom he had two sons and three daughters. In 1948, M.P. started his insurance firm. M.P. was Chair of DCD 1948-50 and 1953-1961, one of the 10 Iowa Presidential Electors in 1948, Iowa's National Democratic Committee member 1950-53, Chair of Iowa's delegation to the 1956 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Central Committee. He was also an organizer of the Dubuque United Fund, serving as a Solicitor in 1949, Campaign Chair in 1957, Treasurer 1956-1963, and member of the board of trustees 1957-1969. Additionally, M.P. was Treasurer of Dubuque Particular Council of St. Vincent DePaul Society, National Committee representative of Northeast Iowa Council of Boy Scouts of America, on the Advisory Boards of Clark College and Divine Word Seminary, President of St. Anthony's Parish Council and members of Dubuque Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society, Dubuque Moose Lodge, Izaak Walton League, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Navy League Dubuque Council and the Independent Insurance Association. He was a Dubuque County Historical Society member and director of the campaign to finance the society's operation of the Ham House Museum. M.P. died on 26 January 1969.
  • PATRICK J. "LOOPER" LYNCH (2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born 24 January 1959 in Dubuque to Dick “Looper” and Jeanette Lynch. He is married to Dawn Carlson, and they are parents of Ryan Lynch and Cody and Paige Carlson. Looper joined the Laborers Union in 1977 and the Plumbers & Steam Fitters union in 1978. From 1983 to present he has been a member of the Teamsters union and for 18 years was a UPS Steward. From 1998 to 2007, Looper was on the Local 421 Executive Board as Recording Secretary and Secretary-Treasurer. From 1999 to 2003 he was Chairman of the Dubuque County Democratic Party. From 2002 to 2007, Looper was Political Director of Iowa Joint Council 45 and Joint Council 32. From 2005 to 2008, he was Chairman of Iowa "Change to Win", an organization that aims to provide a working and middleclass counterweight to the power of big money. In 1959, The Teamsters recognized the need to develop comprehensive legislative and political programs within the union following the passage of the Landrum-Griffin bill and other anti-labor legislation. In November of that year, James R. Hoffa established the Department of Legislation and Political Education. Officially launched in 1960, D.R.I.V.E. -- Democratic, Republican, Independent Voter Education -- has two main objectives: To elect candidates to public office who are friendly to the interests of Teamster members; and passage or defeat of legislation of special concern to Teamster families. In 2006, Looper was Central Region DRIVE Director. From 2007 to 2009 he was Teamsters National Political Director and since 2009 Looper has been Special Assistant to the General Secretary Treasurer.
  • PATRICK R. QUINN (2012)
    Was born on 16 May 1934 in Davenport Iowa to Frank Quinn and Anna Schuster. Pat served in the Untied States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1955. He married Ann Brady on 20 October 1956 in Toronto, Mississippi. They raised two sons, Milton and Patrick, and three daughters, Julia, Susan, and Amy. Pat worked at John Deere Dubuque Works from 1959 to 1992. He served his union, United Automobile Workers (UAW) Local 94 as vice president, from 1971-1992, during which time he also served on the 2nd Area UAW-CAP, Education, Consumer Affairs, By-Law, and Employee Assistance committees. Following retirement, he stayed actively involved by serving in various positions for Local 94 UAW Retirees. He was a DCD Central Committee member for many years, organized hundreds of literature drops and phone banks, was a delegate to county, district, and state conventions, and a Carter delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976. In addition to his labor activities, Pat served his community on the Zoning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was also a founding member of Boy Scout Troop 94 and the Adult Committee, where he seldom missed a meeting or fund-raising event. Pat died on 24 August 2005. He was survived by his children; two sisters and seven grandchildren. His parents; two brothers, and a sister, Shirley A. Quinn, preceded Pat in death.
  • MARCOS RUBINSTEIN (2012)
    Was born in Chicago in 1951, and moved with his family to Argentina in 1952, where he was raised and educated. He worked in journalism and union organizing before returning to the U.S. in July 1976. He worked in factories in California for six months and organized for the UAW. He continued journalism and political involvement as an opinion writer for Latino and immigrant issues, and interviewed Cesar Chavez many times for Spanish/English radio programs. Marcos married Evelyn Nadeau in 1995, and they have one son, Alejandro. They left the West Coast in 2002 when Evelyn began teaching at Clarke College (now University). Marcos has participated in the local Peace and Justice Group nearly every Monday since his arrival in Dubuque. He registered to vote here when asked by neighbor Jim Lindsay. Marcos was drawn to the candidacy of Dennis Kucinich in 2003 and was his local and state organizer during Kucinich's presidential campaign in 2006-7. He was on the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, 2006-10, serving as a member and later, Chairman. Since 2004, he has been on DCD Central Committee, attending every county, district, and state convention, and serving on every state Platform Committee. He also ran for City Council, served on the Citizen's Review Panel of police actions, protested the School of the Americans at Ft. Benning, Ga., and was a founder of the Dubuque Multicultural Center.
  • VERA SABLE MCALLISTER (2012)
    Was born on 11 January 1897 in Dubuque to parents Louis Savary and Margaret Sullivan. Vera's first marriage was to Charles Sable, who passed away in the 1920's. Some years later she married James F. McAllister, who was known as Frank. He worked at Mazewood and passed away in 1973. Vera served on DCD's Central Committee for 25 years, chairing Dubuque County Democratic Women for many years. She was Vice-Chair of DCD when M.P. was Chair. Vera was also a member of St. Raphael's Cathedral and Rosary Society and formerly a member of the National Council of Catholic women. She died on 31 January 1971. Her son, William L. Sable, passed away in 1995 in Rock Island, Illinois. Her daughter, Margaret M. Sable, passed away circa 2000 in Dubuque. William and his wife Elizabeth Lachman, who passed away in 2006, gave Vera two grandchildren: Michael James Sable, who passed away in 1990 and Timothy C. Sable, who now lives in California. Timothy says "My family moved from Dubuque in 1961, but I remember my grandma, Vera, from my first 11 years living in Dubuque. On election day she could be counted on to round up all the absentee ballots she could to help Democrats get elected. She always worked very hard on election days as I remember. I think she was most proud of John F. Kennedy's election in 1960. Not only did she like John Kennedy, but as a devout Catholic she was also quite pleased that he was the first Catholic president. She was always a party activist. I remember Vera talking about Mike Hogan and am pleased that he is being honored as well."
  • SUSAN WILSON (2016 Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award, 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born to the Ehrenkrantz family on March 13, 1949 and grew up in a New Jersey Republican suburb. Her earliest recollection of politics was when her Second Grade class had an election. Since everyone in HER family was voting for Adlai Stevenson, she was dumbfounded when the class elected IKE. That was the moment a new Democratic Activist was born. Her Democratic commitment grew with JFK's election and tragic assassination. While attending college in Connecticut, Sue discovered the meaning of phone banking, licking stamps, and canvassing while helping with the successful U.S. Senate campaign of Thomas Dodd, father of later Senator and presidential candidate Chris Dodd. Sue married another avid Democrat, Ray Wilson on 20 June 1971. When they moved to Iowa, politics got personal--not only meeting ALL the candidates, but working hard at the nitty gritty jobs behind the scenes. They first settled in Monticello in 1985 when Ray began teaching English at Loras College and Sue began teaching nursing at the University of Iowa. Sue's political mentor was Bev Hannon, State Senator from Jones County. As Co-Chair of Bev's successful re-election campaign, Sue learned many valuable lessons: how to avoid an electric fence when putting up barn signs, how to read a plat map and compare it to voter registration lists, how to navigate a Class C road in the rain and other finer points of persuading voters. Sue put these lessons to work in the Jones County Democrats, later becoming their Chairperson. When Sue and Ray moved to Dubuque in 1997, DCD Chair Leo Meier invited Sue to her first Exec Board meeting and she's been attending ever since. Her forte has been the Information Committee, and helping organize every caucus and county convention.

2011

• Hall of Fame Inductees (9):
  • THOMAS E. AUGE (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born in 1923 and grew up in Fort Madison, Iowa. As a medic in Europe in WWII he received the Bronze Star for heroism. He graduated from St. Ambrose College in 1947 and received a Master of History from St. Louis University in 1949. Tom married Theresa Moffitt in 1955 who joined him in Paris where he studied at the Sorbonne as a Fulbright scholar. He completed a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1957. Tom taught history at John Carroll University and then Loras College for nearly thirty years. He wrote widely about the Dubuque area and modern European history and published a biography of Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1966. Tom also contributed to Seeds of Harvest--A History of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. In the late 1960s, Tom helped organize the Black Student Organization at Loras. He also co-founded the Center for Dubuque History in 1976. Following retirement in 1993, he held the rank of Professor Emeritus of History and received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1995, recognizing him as an exceptional teacher and scholar. In his classes at Loras and DCD leadership many eventual DCD Hall of Famers discovered their political awareness and passion. Tom was active in various community organizations—the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dubuque County Historical Society and DCD in the early 1970s serving as Vice-Chair and then Chair. He led his executive board in formalizing the DCD By-Laws and Constitution. He died after a long illness in 2002.
  • MARTIN O'SHEA (2011)
    Grew up in rural Dubuque County and came to know the county well, which proved to be a valuable asset years later when he became politically involved. Marty cast his first vote for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1975 and did his first political volunteering for State Senator Larry Murphy in 1977. Marty and Anna married in 1979, and later raised sons Shawn and Aaron. During a time of community unrest, Marty helped with the Dubuque Midnight Basketball League, Kaleidoscope Program, Council on Diversity, Equity in Education, PTA, and served 10 years on the Human Rights Commission. The first presidential campaign Marty helped with was Michael Dukakis in 1987, followed by Democratic candidates at all levels that Marty has helped in his 34 years of political involvement. Marty and fellow 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Tom Schueller were childhood friends. Marty is best known as the Sign Guru of Dubuque County Democratic politics beginning under the leadership of the late Don Hendricks, and raising the public profile of our candidates. Marty's sign dedication continued until his Muscular Dystrophy recently made it too difficult for him to continuing painting and storing candidate signs and swinging the sledge hammer to plant those signs in excellent locations all over the county.
  • THOMAS REISDORF (2011)
    Was born on July 3rd, 1950. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Wahlert High School. After serving in the military from 1968 to 1972 Tom took the Civil Service exam and went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1973. It was at this time that the political bug bit Tom. He became involved with the Mike Blouin and Brent Appel congressional campaigns. Tom became a shop steward in 1974 and Vice President of the Letter Carriers Local in 1978. He served as Branch President for three years and has been a state officer since 1996. Tom is currently serving as Branch Secretary. He married his lovely wife Kathie in 1975 and they have been blessed with three children and three grandchildren. In the 1990s under President Clinton some restrictions of the Hatch Act were lifted, giving Tom more opportunity to be involved in DCD. He joined Central Committee in 1998 and became Campaigns and Candidates Chair in 2003. Along with Joyce Monahan and others, he helped restart DCD's Hall of Fame in 2004. Tom has served on First District Central Committee since 2006. Tom feels one of his greatest achievements was helping Bruce L. Braley win his seat in Congress in 2006. Tom was proud to serve as County Coordinator for Hillary Clinton for President. Tom says 'What I have enjoyed most serving with the Democratic Party is all the friendships I have made and running Jim Nussle out of Iowa'.
  • JUDY SCHMIDT (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Began her interest in politics at her family's dinner table in Wisconsin discussing why everyone should be a Democrat! Judy received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in 1969, a Master of Education from UWP in 1990, and taught at Hempstead High School from 1971 to 2006. Jo Ann Reynolds got Judy involved in Iowa politics with the grassroots campaign of Jimmy Carter. Volunteering with another activist, Terry Stewart, they gave thousands of hours, with Judy elected to National Credentials Committee and invited to a reception at the Carter White House (an honor she'll never forget)! During the 1970s and '80s, Judy was active in the Women's Rights Movement, working for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and doing behind-the-scenes work for local, state, and national Democratic candidates, as well as serving on Central Committee and various subcommittees. Judy and Kathy Flynn co-chaired the Dubuque Roxanne-for-Governor campaign, and Judy served on many Teachers for... Committees. In the 1980s, Judy married her soulmate Terry and gave birth to their daughter Rachael Ren&eacute, who grew up at political events. In 1990, she began the first high school Young Democrats Club in Iowa. Judy was also Dubuque Teachers Association Government Relations Chair. She received the 2001 R.J. McElroy Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching, and in 2005 Judy was named Dubuque Teacher of the Year. After retiring, she served as Special Events Chair, and on First District Central and Hall of Fame Committees. She also became Co-Chair of the Griep Scholarship Committee.
  • THOMAS SCHUELLER (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Grew up on the Century Farm dairy operation of his parents, which is now owned by his brother. Tom graduated from Hempstead High School and attended Clinton Community College. He retired from John Deere after thirty years and is a UAW member. Tom and his wife Melodie have three grown children: Ginger, Peter, and Benjamin. Tom, Pete, Ben, and Jarod Manning are partners in Schueller and Sons Reconstruction founded in 1976, the year that Tom and Melodie married and moved to her hometown of Maquoketa. Tom is active in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bellevue-Maquoketa 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Andrew AMVETS, Rotary Club, Maquoketa Lions Club, and Jackson County Habitat for Humanity. Tom and Melodie instilled those values of service in their family which now includes seven grandsons. Tom was a member of the Maquoketa City Council for 11 years, where he helped create 500 jobs, worked to improve the quality of life, and established a capital improvement plan. Tom served three terms in the Iowa House of Representatives, from 2004 to 2010. In 2008, he was a legislative appointee to the Housing Work Group of Governor Culver's Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission, charged with developing short-and long-term plans for recovering from natural disasters. Tom was then named Chairman of the newly formed Iowa House of Representatives Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery Committee. He was a member of the Economic Growth and Local Government Committees and the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Tom was a humble, selfless public servant, always standing up for the best interests of all Iowans.
  • DONNA (MCDERMOTT) SMITH (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born and raised in Epworth, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loras College. She married Pat Smith, with whom she raised 4 children, and they now enjoy 10 grandchildren. Donna Smith made local history in 1974 as the first woman elected DCD Chair, adopting a Constitution and By-Laws following McGovern Party Reforms. She ended the long-standing tradition of stag fundraisers and a separate women's club, helping create Century Club to assist Candidates & Campaigns and party expenses. Hall of Famers Ralph Scharnau was her secretary, Joann McCauley her Second Vice-Chair and Clarence Griep her Research Chair. Donna helped other Hall of Famers, Bob Carr, Mike Connolly, Pat Murphy, and other Democratic legislators, with the assistance of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, to connect Dubuque to the world with four 4-lane highways. Donna worked as an Iowa Licensed Broker with Herrig Real Estate for many years. She was also Chair of the Dubuque County Referendum to add Women to the Iowa Constitution. In 1978, Donna was the first woman elected to the County Board of Supervisors and on January 5, 1981, she was elected the first female Chairperson of the Board, a position she held numerous times during the following 32 years. Donna led Dubuque County in adopting an Equal Opportunity Employment policy and promoting more women to management positions. Joann Reynolds was appointed to fill a County Recorder vacancy, Denise Dolan to County Auditor, and Kathy Flynn Thurlow to County Recorder upon Reynolds' death. A gender balance policy was also adopted for appointments to County Boards and Commissions. This didn't become state law until 2009. In 1996 and 2000 Donna ran for 2nd district Congressional Representative. She graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in1997. Currently practicing law in Dubuque, Donna was one of the longest serving County Supervisors from either party, holding office from 1978 until 2010. During her time as Supervisor, Donna was instrumental in many worthy projects and committees: the Northwest Arterial, new county jail, Local Option Tax, County Enhanced 911, Courthouse Restoration, Health and Transportation Steering Committees; Iowa Secondary Road Use Fund; Northeast Iowa Juvenile Detention; Dubuque County Census Committee 2010; Project Concern, RSVP, Dubuque Metropolitan Area and Regional Transit Authority. Donna also was active in the establishment of Greater Dubuque Development Corporation after the Pack shutdown, and worked with Senator Harkin to designate the Old County Jail as a Federal Landmark. Donna has been a role model for women in leadership and public officials of all interests.
  • ROGER STEWART (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Maquoketa High School. He attended Cornell College for two years before later graduating from the Wisconsin School of Banking. Roger works as a farmer and as a banker in Maquoketa. His civic involvement includes the Regional Workforce Investment Board, the East-Central Iowa Inter-governmental Association, and the Jackson County Revolving Loan Fund. Roger received several awards and recognition in agriculture, including the Chamber Friends of Agriculture Award and the National Banking Award for work during the 1980s Farm Crisis. He served two terms in the Iowa Senate, representing District 13, which includes Clinton and Jackson Counties, plus two precincts in southern Dubuque County. Roger's assignments included Chair of the Economic Growth Committee and serving on the Commerce, Ways & Means, Environment & Energy Independence, and Rebuild Iowa committees. When he retired from office, Iowa's renewable energy industry was thriving, our state was number one in children's health care coverage, and the groundwork had been established to keep building a strong economy. Roger and his wife, Jennie, a retired features editor for a newspaper, have three children and seven grandchildren.
  • TERRY STEWART (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was inspired by JFK to seek the best in government, and join the Democratic Party. Nick Lucy and Jo Ann Reynolds were his early Dubuque political activist role models. Terry was a social worker for juvenile delinquents from 1974 to 1983 while serving as a member and president of the local AFSCME union, and on the state union board. In 1976 he exulted in two weeks as a union activist in the filming of F.I.S.T. In 1980 he represented AFSCME as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention during Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign. He attended a White House reception hosted by President Jimmy and First Lady Rosalyn Carter, accompanied by soulmate and political ally Judy Schmidt. Judy and Terry married in Five Flags Theatre on Independence Day, July 4, 1981, and their daughter Rachael was born into a lifetime of Democratic commitment on Flag Day, June 14, 1983. Terry served on Second District Central Committee as Secretary and Treasurer, and was DCD First Vice-Chair 1982-83, and Chairman 1983-84. During that time he moderated a debate between presidential candidates George McGovern, Gary Hart, and Alan Cranston. Terry served as a Dubuque Firefighter from 1983 to 2006, and continued County and District Central Committee and election-season activity throughout his career. He also served several years as union President of the Dubuque Professional Firefighters, and on the City Labor-Management and Dubuque Area Labor-Management Health Care committees. After retiring, he was again elected DCD Chairman, serving from 2007 to 2011, campaigning for candidates "from the courthouse to the White House," securing good election headquarters, advocating diversity and equality, and promoting fundraising events for the Party. Supporting honest and responsible politicians, and helping the Griep Scholarship fund encourage tomorrow's leaders have been 'Labors of Love' for Terry.
  • RAY ZIRKELBACH (2011 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born in Manchester and raised in Scotch Grove. He graduated from Monticello High School and then from the University of Wyoming with a BA in Administration of Justice. After graduation, Ray began as a Correctional Officer and was then promoted to Correctional Counselor at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. He is a Charter and Lifetime Member of the Monticello AMVETS, as well as Monticello's Drill Team, Olin American Legion, and the VFW. Ray is also a Charter Member of the Monticello Eagles Club and a Lifetime Member of the Anamosa Penitentiary Museum. He represented the 31st District in Iowa's House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010, including 5 precincts in southwest Dubuque County. In 2005, Ray was called to active duty by the US Army and consequently missed the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions. He was deployed in Iraq as an Iowa National Guard Sergeant in the First Battalion of the 133rd Infantry of Dubuque. Ray received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat in August 2006 in Al Anbar Province. In honor of his absence for military service, Ray's seat in the Legislature was draped with an American flag. He retired from the National Guard as an Infantryman with CO A 1/133rd in February 2009 and is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. During Ray's third term in the Iowa House, he was Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, and served on Agriculture, Commerce, and Appropriations Committees as well as the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee. Ray worked tenaciously for the care and appreciation of all veterans. Ray has two children, Claire, born in 2006, and Owen, born in 2008. Ray and his wife, Angie live in Anamosa.

2010

• Hall of Fame Inductees (10):
  • DOROTHY AND WILLIAM BLUM (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Dorothy was born in Strawberry Point in 1921 and married Bill in 1942. She was active in the Dubuque Democratic Women's Club for many years, was a precinct committee person about 30 years, and served on the State Central Committee for several years. Born in 1945, Bill was a delegate to State conventions for more than 30 years and served on the State Finance Committee for five years. He also served on county, district, and state Credentials committees for most of 30 years. Their leadership bridged generations.
  • DOMINIC GOODMANN (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Started his career in Dubuque as a radio news director in the 1950s and 1960s, then began an insurance business in 1965 and later added real estate and real estate appraisal. (His children now run the businesses.) He served as Dubuque Democratic Party Treasurer from 1962 to 1967 and co-chaired John Culver's first election to Congress in 1964. He and Culver remained life-long friends. With a passion for justice and fairness, he was active in campaigns at all levels for decades. He died on Christmas Eve, 2001 and is survived by his wife, Joan Boland, who resides at Luther Manor.
  • PAM JOCHUM (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Was born and raised in Dubuque. She became active in Mike Blouin's election to Congress in 1974 and has been continually involved in Democratic politics ever since. She has participated in numerous county, district, and state conventions and in the 1980 National Convention. She was a Floor Whip for Mondale in 1984 and witnessed Geraldine Ferraro becoming the first major-party woman nominee for vice president. Elected to the Iowa House in 1992, she was the first woman from Dubuque County to serve. In 2007, she was elected to succeed State Senator Mike Connolly in the Iowa legislature. She has advocated for voter-owned elections.
  • LINDA LUCY (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Linda was born in Creston, Iowa, graduated from high school in Des Moines in 1965 and married Nick in 1977. She volunteered in Tom Harkin's then-new Dubuque office for two years, then became his Regional Representative, having recently completed 20 years of constituent service. She has been a member of the Dubuque County Central committee for many years and participated in county, district, and state convention committees. She is also Past President of Dubuque League of Women Voters. Nick and Linda have hosted many election-day Get-Out-the-Vote efforts and neighborhood caucuses.
  • NICHOLAS LUCY (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Nick was born in Colorado but raised in East Dubuque. He was an alternate to the 1976 Democratic National Convention and a delegate to the 1978 convention. For several years, he hosted a weekly community access TV show, through which he promoted the Democratic agenda. His photos at countless Democratic and labor events have appeared regularly in "The Dubuque Leader" labor newspaper for more than two decades. Nick and Linda have hosted many election-day Get-Out-the-Vote efforts and neighborhood caucuses.
  • PATRICK J. MURPHY (2010)
    Was born and raised in Dubuque, the ninth of ten children. He is a graduate of Wahlert High School and Loras College. In 1989, he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and, in 2003, became Democratic leader, whereby he played a major role in regaining a Democratic majority in the House in 2006. He was elected Speaker in 2007. Pat has advocated for human services, health care, appropriations, expanded preschool programs, renewable energy, Iowa's veterans and for raising the minimum wage and K-12 teacher salaries.
  • RUTH SCHARNAU (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee, 2014 DAWN's List Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015 Carrie Chapman Catt Center Plaza of Heroines Brick, Ruby Sutton Award)
    Ruth was born in Waukesha, WI, 1933. The Scharnau family moved to Dubuque in 1970 when Ralph Scharnau took a position in the history department at the University of Dubuque. Soon after, the Scharnaus became involved in Dubuque County Democratic politics, volunteering for phone banks and door knocking, hosting candidate coffees, and working at election-day precinct headquarters. They were inspired by Democratic initiatives for gender and racial equality. For many years, Ruth worked as a speech therapist in the Galena, Illinois, schools and later worked with children who had behavioral disorders. From 1972 to 1973, she served on the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, but resigned in protest about lack of resources committed to the Commission. In the early 1970s, Ruth became involved in the women's movement and was a charter member of the Dubuque chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She served as president of Dubuque NOW in 1978. In the 1970s and early 1980s passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was one of Ruth's main political activities. She also supported gay and lesbian rights, civil rights, and nuclear disarmament. She participated in the first gay rights rally in Dubuque in the fall of 1988, and attended a protest at the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Georgia, in 2001. In 2002, the Dubuque branch of the (N.A.A.C.P.) honored Scharnau with the Ruby Sutton award.
  • RALPH SCHARNAU (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Soon after moving to Dubuque in 1970, the Scharnaus became involved in Dubuque County Democratic politics, volunteering for phone banks and door knocking, hosting candidate coffees, and working at election-day precinct headquarters. They were inspired by Democratic initiatives for gender and racial equality. They have been active in vigils, rallies, demonstrations, marches, picketing and lobbying and worked in the McGovern and Jackson presidential campaigns. Reveling in Obama's election, they traveled by bus to the his Inauguration. For eight years, Ralph has written monthly columns for the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald on progressive issues.
  • BILL WINDERS AND THE DUBUQUE LEADER (2010 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Bill was born and raised in Dubuque. He purchased The Dubuque Leader in 1980, ensuring that labor leaders and Democrats have a voice. He provides for photo and column space for the writings of Sen. Tom Harkin, Attorney General Tom Miller, Sen. Pam Jochum, Rep. Pat Murphy, and many other labor and Democratic leaders. Bill has maintained The Leader as a union print shop. The paper was founded in 1906 and gave witness to the rise of the union movement. It was an early advocate of equal pay for equal work, FDR's effort to lead the way out of the Great Depression, and union representation on the City Council. Bill provided extensive coverage of the nurses at Finley Hospital and their affiliation with SEIU.

2009

• Hall of Fame Inductees (7):
  • Denise Dolan
  • Pat Kelly
  • Kathy Flynn Thurlow
  • T.J. Mulgrew
  • JoAnn, Michael & Sylvester McCauley

2008

• Hall of Fame Inductees (5):
  • Mary Therese Ahern
  • State Senator Michael Connolly
  • U.S. Senator Thomas Harkin
  • Agnese Hayes
  • ANN MICHALSKI, (1932-2014) (2008 Hall of Fame Inductee)
    Ann O'Hara Michalski was born in Harvey, Illinois to John Campbell O'Hara and Esther Mary Murray on Dec. 21, 1932. Ann graduated in 1950 from Loretto Academy, Chicago. While visiting colleges, Ann "fell in love at first sight" with both CLARKE COLLEGE and the City of Dubuque. She graduated from Clarke in 1954. Ann later served on the Board of the Clarke College Alumni Association. She married James Joseph Michalski on April 12, 1958 in Hazel Crest, IL. Ann's first job was as a social worker. Later, she taught high school at Mother of Sorrows in Blue Island, IL and Elizabeth Seton in South Holland, IL, and, in 1972, received an MA in Theology from Saint Xavier College. Ann and Jim moved to Dubuque, in 1979, where their son John attended college at LORAS COLLEGE. She was a Pastoral Associate at St. Patrick's Parish until 1986. From then until retirement in 1998, she worked as an Administrative Assistant, Development Director and finally, Director of Human Resources at The Gannon Center for Community Mental Health. In the 1980s and 1990s, she also served as an Adjunct Professor of Religion at Clarke University and Loras. Ann was a dedicated community activist and advocate for many issues: the Mental Health America Board, revitalizing downtown Dubuque, the Housing Commission, Community Development Block Grant Commission, Dubuque Main Street, Dubuque Initiatives, Solid Waste Management Board, Dubuque Symphony League, Fine Arts Commission, Four Mounds Association, and was a strong advocate for CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY. In 1996, she was elected to the Dubuque City Council and served three terms, leaving office in 2007. Her principle commitments as city council member were to coalition-building, advocacy for the voiceless, and promotion of quality of life. She was especially proud of having worked to pass a Human Rights ordinance protecting the LGBT community, and to re-open Main Street in downtown Dubuque. In 2008 she became president of the League of Women Voters. Ann was an Associate of the SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (BVM). She was a staunch liberal Democrat-a great fan of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson-and believed that government should work actively to improve people's lives. Ann was very proud to have been inducted into the Dubuque County Democratic Hall of Fame in 2008. Special achievements include the Clarke Humanitarian Award, Dubuque Mental Health Advocate Award, the State of Iowa Volunteer Award, the Gannon Center Outstanding Staff Member Award, Iowa Community Mental Health Center Outstanding Staff Award, National League of Cities Outstanding Woman Elected Official, CWV Human Rights Award, the 2007 Elisha Darlin Arts Award, the Library Advocacy Award and the Barbara Boatwright Lifetime Achievement Award. She died in Dubuque, IA on July 19, 2014. In 2015 the Ann Michalski Distinguished Service Award was created in Ann's honor to recognize excellence by an individual.

2007

• Hall of Fame Inductees (6):
  • U.S. Senator John Culver
  • Mary Lee Hostert
  • Helen McClain
  • Jerry Pregler
  • Walt Pregler
  • Jo Ann Reynolds
• Certificate of Gratitude:
  • FRED MCCAW, (1946-2006) (2015 Hall of Fame Inductee & 2007 Certificate of Gratitude)
    Fred McCaw graduated from Dubuque Senior H.S. in 1963, University of Iowa (economics) in 1968, and University of Iowa School of Law in 1972. Working for Legal Services initially, he transferred to the Dubuque County Attorney Office in 1976. His peers came to appreciate his intellect, leadership, and kindness. Fred always had the courage to make the tough but not rash decisions, regardless of popular sentiment. Fred was first elected County Attorney in 1987. He was widely admired by Iowa attorneys and became President of the Iowa Attorneys Assn. in 2002 and 2003. When Fred passed away in 2006 of an apparent heart attack while he was bicycling on vacation in South Dakota at age 60, the executive director of Iowa Attorneys Assn stated that in his time with the association, no one had contributed as much as Fred to the association. He specialized in the standards and conduct areas - put simply - ethics. His pursuit of justice was two-fold: any charge should fit the act, but it must be investigated and prosecuted the right way. Fred and Ann Linscheid were married in 1971 and have three children: Shana McCaw (Brent Budsberg); Lindsay McCaw; and Evan McCaw (Hyokung Won). They witnessed this extraordinary man build his own boat, learn to fly and earn his pilot's license, and after teaching himself to sail, he and Ann bought a sailboat.

2006

• Hall of Fame Inductees (14):
  • William Delany
  • Dorthea Green
  • Clarence & Maxine Griep
  • Sister Dorothy Hennessey
  • Sister Gwen Hennessey
  • Joan & William Herrig
  • Leo Meier
  • Betty & Elmer Miller
  • Attorney General Thomas Miller
  • Eileen Murphy
  • Thomas Wainwright

2005

• No awards given.

2004

• Hall of Fame Inductees (17):
  • Thomas Breitbach
  • Robert Carr
  • Richard Dickinson
  • Thomas Flynn
  • Andrew Frommelt
  • Elden Herrig
  • Terry Hirsch
  • Leo Kennedy
  • Don Knapp
  • Alan Manternach
  • Michael McFarland
  • Robert Osterhaus
  • Paul Scherrman
  • Ray Scherrman
  • Jim Waller
  • Joseph Welsh