After 23 years of service, Adair County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H and Youth Coordinator Donna Wallace will retire at the end of this month. Wallace will leave behind several years of passion and inspiration for the youth of Adair County.

Office Manager Deena Wells, who has known Wallace for many years, shared some parting words for Wallace on Let’s Talk Guthrie County. Wells is particularly inspired by Wallace’s cheerfulness and positivity, even in the most uncomfortable situations. “During the (Adair) County Fair when it’s 110 degrees out, Donna is the only one of us who still has a smile on her face. She’s just running around, energetically, doing whatever she needs to do to make sure that the fair runs smoothly.”

While there were plenty of functions to keep Wallace busy during the fair, Wells says there was always one consistent theme on her mind. “She’s all about the kids. She loves, loves, loves her 4-H’ers and the families and all the many volunteers we have.”

The Extension Office will honor Wallace at a retirement party this Thursday from 5-7pm at the Adair County Fairgrounds 4-H and FFA Building in Greenfield.