Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to live in southeastern Iowa. I’m originally from Waverly, so Eastern Iowa has always been home to me. I met my husband Ken after he returned from active duty in the Army in 1975. Today, we live in Lisbon, his hometown. Ken’s ancestors arrived in Lisbon in the 1850s, and our home has been in his family since his great- great-grandparents purchased the property in 1896. These generational roots connect us to our home and community. What organizations do you volunteer with? I have volunteered with a variety of organizations over the years, starting in my children’s classrooms at the local elementary school in the 1980s and then serving on the Lisbon School Board from 1995-2004, the last four years as President. I was a founding member of the Lisbon Community School District Foundation, a nonprofit established in 1986 to raise funds for scholarships for Lisbon students pursuing post-high school education. The Foundation has made an impact on the lives of so many Lisbon graduates over the years, having awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to Lisbon graduates. In the early 1980s, I served as a founding member of the Southeast Linn Community Center Board of Directors. That board, comprised of community members from Lisbon and Mount Vernon, did amazing work to raise the funds and oversee the construction of the community center building in 1986, which has benefitted people of all ages in Lisbon, Mount Vernon, and the surrounding communities. In the 1990’s, I served on the Lisbon Economic Development Commission, and also prepared income taxes for low income and elderly residents of Lisbon through the Volunteer
Thank you, Ann, for your commitment to the Lisbon community and for fostering growth here in Southeast Iowa. A $250 donation has been made to the Southeast Linn Community Center to show our support for the work you do in our community. Originally named the First National Bank of Lisbon, the bank saw several owners over the years and was purchased by Hills Bank in 1996. With the establishment of a bank on Main Street nearly 150 years ago came the opportunity for community growth and betterment. Hills Bank has established itself as a generous supporter of our community’s organizations and events. What’s your favorite part of Friends Club? A few years ago I had the opportunity to work with Friends Club when approached to collaborate on offering a guided walking tour of the Lisbon Main Street Historic District to Friends Club members. Friends Club did such a good job of promoting the event that twenty people ended up on a waitlist. It was a pleasure to work with Hills Bank staff on this special project to showcase our community’s history.
Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. Ken and I served as disaster response volunteers with the American Red Cross from 2013-2018. We were assigned as emergency response vehicle drivers, and put on many miles as we traveled to help families and communities affected by natural disasters. Working with the Red Cross was challenging but very rewarding. We met many people of all walks of life and learned how resilient people can be when faced with disaster and loss. How has volunteering enriched your life? My parents taught me and my siblings the importance of service to others and our community, something we all carried into our adult lives. I enjoy helping people, solving problems, and working to better my community. Through my work with various organizations, I have met people from all walks of life and learned something new from each experience. Who inspires you in your community? I draw inspiration from working with other volunteers to help people in my community and to plan for Lisbon’s future, and from observing the successes of others, especially those who serve in leadership roles. I am amazed by the number of young people who make time to actively engage in our community. How do you see Hills Bank in your community? Lisbon, with a population of about 2,200, is fortunate to have a full- service bank in our community. Hills Bank occupies a prominent spot on Union Block in the Lisbon Main Street Historic District, housed in a building that has served the community as a bank since 1875. (The original building was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1894.)
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4th Quarter 2024
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