Blanche Bosteder first came to Eagle Grove in 1968 when she was transferred here to manage the TG & Y Store, replacing Dorthy Hasse, who was retiring. While her career changed a couple of times over the next few decades, the one thing that didn’t change was her dedication to the community she continues to call home. It’s this passion – to make Eagle Grove a better, cleaner, more beautiful place to live year-after-year, that earned Bosteder the 2020 Allbaugh Award. It is an honor presented to an individual who shows outstanding citizenship through volunteer work for the community.
“You’ve heard the saying, ‘If you want something said, ask a man,’ but if you want something DONE, ask a woman,” said Daryl and Karen Watts in their nomination letter for Bosteder. “Blanche is a pro at both, saying and doing. She is a mover and a shaker.”
The Allbaugh Award has been presented to one Eagle Grove volunteer since 1984 in memory of Roy and Cornelia Allbaugh, established by their children Ken Allbaugh and Janet (Allbaugh) Knorr. Their parents were longtime Eagle Grove residents and business owners who were proud to have called Eagle Grove home for many years and of the people who gave so selflessly to make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Thus, the Allbaugh Award has been presented each year to an individual who has made an impact on Eagle Grove by their continued volunteer efforts to the betterment of this great town.
Bosteder’s involvement reaches far and wide in Eagle Grove. She belongs to the United Methodist Church where she has served as the secretary of the U.M.W. for 25 years as well as 10 years on the board of trustees for the Northern District. She is active in the church circle, serves on the board of the SPRC, and is on the building and location committee of the church.
Outside of her church responsibilities, Bosteder currently serves as the president of the Eagle Grove Rotary Auxiliary and is an active member of the Eagle Grove Rotarian Group that meets every Tuesday at noon. She has served as president of the Eagle Grove Equality Club and is now serving as their secretary. She is also on the Eagle Grove Planning and Zoning Board. In her “free” time, she keeps busy with management of rental properties in town.
The Watts’ went on to say in their nomination letter, “This doesn’t begin to describe what this generous woman does. She visits the sick, takes them to medical appointments, and will, if able, do whatever you ask of her. She will serve on your committee if she believes it will help the community somehow.”
Bosteder has also been host to three different students from abroad who wished to be an exchange student in America. In 2005, she hosted a girl from the Ukraine. In 2019 she welcomed into her home a student from Italy as well as one from Japan.
Amidst all the different things Bosteder has done for both people and the community of Eagle Grove, she has a stand-out favorite way to make a difference, and that’s delivering Meals-on-Wheels.
“I think it’s the most important volunteer work I can do,” said Bosteder. “I like that I can see people I might not otherwise get to see.”
She hopes others might consider joining her in this form of volunteerism.
“We’re so short of people,” she said about delivering Meals-on-Wheels. And they need more help than ever now that even more people are home-bound due to the COVID pandemic.
It’s true, Bosteder is involved in a wide variety of community service, but she doesn’t do it for the recognition, but rather the fact that bringing joy to others brings joy to her…and she certainly never expected to be recognized for it. “What a shock…and an honor to be presented with the Allbaugh Award,” said Bosteder.
She said she literally had no clue that she had won. She thought she was going out for a nice lunch with her daughter, granddaughter, and two great grandchildren who had come for a visit on Thursday, Jan. 7. Instead, they took her to the Eagle Grove Senior Center where she was surprised with the award, presented by Our Foundation for the Future representatives Kurt Knudsen and Mike Boyd. Because of COVID restrictions, the annual Chamber Banquet was not able to be held which is where the award is usually presented.
Bosteder’s name will appear on the Allbaugh recipient plaque which is on display at the Eagle Grove Memorial Library. In addition, she will have $500 donated in her name to the charity of her choice. Bosteder has designated the money to go towards the Eagle Grove Veterans Memorial Tower, which she has been a strong supporter of since its beginning.
