As Women’s History Month wraps up, it is a perfect time to reflect on remarkable women in our area. The Clarion chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) does this every year as they recognize a woman who exemplifies their mission: “to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.” This year, the group made a fantastic choice when they named Katie Stecher as the 2021 Woman of the Year.
Stecher is a long-time Clarionite, having moved to town when she was just in fifth grade. From the time she was young, she says that she has always enjoyed helping others and learning, qualities she credits her mother for instilling. “I am thankful that my mom always encouraged us to further our education as much as possible,” says Stecher.
After high school, Stecher decided to get started on that in conjunction with her mission to help others. She attended the University of Minnesota- Mankato in the early 80s to receive her bachelor’s in nursing. Stecher explains she has been a nurse since graduating in 1984. From that point, she held many nursing positions throughout north central Iowa. For instance, just at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion, she worked in the medical/surgical unit, OB, cardiac rehab, the ER and more. Over the years, she would work for many more institutions, join a number of medical organizations and rack up several professional qualifications.
In the late 90s, Stecher embarked on a new journey that would combine her love of education and caring for others. She became a school nurse for the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District. During this twenty-year adventure, Stecher worked with students in a variety of capacities, averaging 70 visits per day. She not only triaged student health problems on a daily basis, but also conducted screenings, developed health plans for students with disabilities and taught dissection units!
Middle School Principal Steve Haberman speaks highly of Stecher’s time at the school. “She always put kids, staff and families first,” he said. “Katie had a knack for always making you feel like you were the most important person in the room. She was an integral part of our team not only as a nurse, but also as a collaborator and educator in the classroom.” Haberman added that even after she retired from her school position, Stecher still would volunteer at the school and help out whenever she could.
In the midst of her tenure at the CGD schools, Stecher decided she wasn’t busy enough and worked to further her education once again. She completed her master’s in nursing in the mid- 2000s through the University of Phoenix. Stecher said she received encouragement from then Superintendent Bob Olson in her educational pursuits. She also describes herself as a life-long learner who is not content with sitting idly. She is always looking for ways to expand her own mind as she makes others better.
Though Stecher retired from her school position in 2017, sitting at home was the last thing she would do. Stecher stayed busy in many ways. She has worked and volunteered in more medical settings, including with children with special medical needs. She is a board member at ISH. In the midst of COVID, she helped with telehealth there as well, including calling patients with test results and providing education.
Outside of her nursing work, Stecher wears many other hats. She has been a member of the Clarion branch of AAUW for about 15 years. She is currently the membership chair of the organization.
Florine Swanson, fellow AAUW member who nominated Stecher for the Woman of the Year Award, can’t say enough about the honoree. “Katie is a woman who has given consistently throughout her life.” Swanson highlighted Stecher’s selfless volunteerism through the years. “She has a lot of enthusiasm and she’s never turned me down when I asked her to do something.”
Swanson also lauds Stecher’s efforts for the church that both women attend, St. John’s Catholic. They also both have been active in the Master Gardener program through ISU Extension and Outreach. Swanson remembers a great educational presentation that Stecher gave about house plants. Stecher added that she is excited to continue to work with that program this summer as they utilize a grant to plant a community garden for the benefit of the local food pantry.
As if she doesn’t have enough going on, Stecher is working towards other goals as well. She explains that she has written a “60 Before 60” list, highlighting 60 things she wants to do before she reaches that age. Many of the things on the list she describes as random fun goals like visiting certain places. “You only get one shot at life. You need to make the most of it,” Stecher emphasizes.
When she isn’t nursing or volunteering, Stecher adds she also likes to listen to audio books and plays bridge. She enjoys taking classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Iowa State University such as drawing and photography.
She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband Doug. Her daughter Chelsey and son-in-law Jason, with their daughter Addy, also live within driving distance, as does Stecher’s son Adam. She is proud that her children have attained college degrees and have valued education in their own lives.
For all that she’s been able to do, Stecher credits the great people and community around her for keeping her so active. “We’re so lucky to have a wonderful community and so many mentors,” she said. And of course, Stecher does not seem likely to slow down anytime soon. She has more goals in mind and plans to complete. She stressed, “In the end, we need to be the best version of ourselves.”
