Schuster, Ganfield honored as senior volunteers

Every person can make a difference, and every person should try. – John F. Kennedy

But for all the people who don’t try, there are people like Kathy Schuster and Jerry Ganfield.

The pair were named Senior Citizens of the Year at the 2023 Steele County Free Fair. They picked up their awards, sponsored by the Exchange Club of Steele County, during last week’s Senior Day.

Between the two, Bruce Kubicek named at least 20 organizations and non-profits that have benefited from their volunteer work.

For Schuster, it’s all about attitude.

“I’m convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it,” she said, quoting from a poem by the Rev. Charles Swindoll.

She volunteers at Community Pathways, Washington School, the Hospitality House of Owatonna, and in many committees at St. John Lutheran Church. Schuster quilts for the American Legion’s donation program, has hosted foreign exchange students, provides transportation “for friends and strangers alike,” and has been a member of the Minnesota Extension Club for more than 50 years.

“That’s quite an achievement in itself, right there,” Kubicek said. “She’s done a lot of things here in town, and it’s our pleasure to name Kathy Schuster as Outstanding Female Senior Citizen of the Year.”

In her acceptance speech, Schuster said her goal is “simply to make somebody’s day better. I would recommend contacting an organization such as Community Pathways, hospice, the school system, or your church.

“Go. Volunteer,” she said. “You can make a difference in someone’s life, and there are amazing opportunities waiting for you out there.”

Ganfield echoed that sentiment in his speech.

“I appreciate every volunteer in all of these organizations,” he said, “and also the corporations in Steele County that support the organizations – especially the non-profits – by allowing their employees to help us out.”

Ganfield also has a long history of volunteerism, serving on many church committees, Meals on Wheels, blood drives, and providing disaster relief during Hurricane Katrina and the Rushford-Lewiston flood. He has helped settle young Sudanese and Ethiopian families in the area and is a big part of Little Theatre of Owatonna, the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Steele County Historical Society.

“I’d almost call him the face of the society,” Kubicek said. “You see him everywhere there.”

Service, Ganfield said, “has been part of my upbringing. Even though I volunteered during my working career, I found I had a little more time when I retired.

“I’ve actually retired three times,” he laughed. “I need to retire again.”

Though the Minnesota State Fair has discontinued its Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award, Kubicek said the SCFF and the Exchange Club have no such plans – and actively seek nominations.

“There are lots of folks that could be up here, too, but we need to find out about them,” he said. “And just so you know: We folks aren’t old, we’re just a little old-er.”