Iowa State Fair: Meet all 11 people named 'Iowan of the Day' at this year's State Fair
The Iowa State Fair has announced its list for Iowans of the Day for the 2025 fair. It's a collection of individuals who have shown the best sides of Iowa through hard work, integrity and an unwavering commitment to their communities.
The Iowan of the Day program was founded in 1997 by the Blue Ribbon Foundation to honor outstanding Iowans who have made a difference in their communities, according to a press release from the foundation.
Related video above: Outside food and drink now allowed at the Iowa State Fair
Winners are selected by committee after a nomination process and receive one day of recognition during the fair. Each day at noon on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage, they are presented as the Iowan of the Day. Each winner is also awarded accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, four Iowa State Fair admission tickets, four Grandstand show tickets, use of a golf cart, VIP parking and $200 cash.
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Meet this year's Iowans of the Day
Thursday, Aug. 7: Brenda DeVore of Promise City
Brenda has been the mayor of Promise City since 2008. She won as a write-in candidate. She also serves as the director of the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon. Under her direction, the museum has had three major expansions. Brenda secures grants, creates programs and plans annual Fourth of July celebrations and fall festivals at the museum.
Brenda also recently coordinated the 2024 Wayne County dig near Lineville. It was there were they found the remains of a mastodon from thousands of years ago. Brenda is leading the efforts to ensure the return of the fossil to the museum next year.
Friday. Aug. 8: Emily Grell of Danbury
Emily is a high school senior who spends her time making an impact in her community and at the youth camps she leads. These camps include 4-H Camp of Discovery, Schoenstatt Girls Youth Camp, Monona Extension camps and Marian Camp. She also plans activities for children at her local library.
Emily is also a member of the Danbury Catholic Church and the Mapleton Starspinner 4-H club, where she serves as secretary and participates on the Monona County Council. This summer, Emily was crowned Miss Congeniality of the Monona County Fair. She stays busy as the captain of the high school track and cross country.
Saturday, Aug. 9: Barb Runneberg of Algona
Barb is the Quality and Performance Excellence Director at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. In 2020, she earned the Iowa Healthcare Quality Rising Star Professional Award.
Outside of healthcare, Barb volunteers with the Algona Police Reserves as the president of the reserve unit. She leads the "Cops for Kids" program, which partners children with Algona police officers for a day of shopping during the holidays. Barb also volunteers with Rotary, Sharing Active Independent Lives and her church.
Sunday, Aug. 10: Donna Koch of Cedar Rapids
Donna has spent years in the education world. For the first fifteen years of her career, she taught kindergarten. She then spent 25 years as a library specialist, working to develop elementary school libraries.
In retirement, she manages her area's "Reading is Fundamental" program, which has 22 volunteers across 22 learning centers. She also secures federal grants and serves as a congressional lobbyist for the program. Donna has served as a Cedar Rapids Library Board member, church librarian, Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent and Questers.
Monday, Aug. 11: Roger & Mary Sue Chatfield of Keokuk
Roger and Mary Sue have been married since 1960. Roger operated their family farm in Montrose while Mary Sue taught first grade. In retirement, they spend hours volunteering in their community.
In 2004, they helped found the Montrose Riverfront, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the town. Mary Sue also writes up grant proposals and organizes community events. Roger helped to transform an agricultural supply building to the Hunold Heritage Center, a local museum. During summers, he maintains flower boxes around town and Mary Sue writes weekly feature articles. Mary Sue is currently the editor of the New Montrose Journal, a correspondent for the Keokuk Daily Gate City and the Fort Madison Daily Democrat.
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Ruby Thomas of Coin
Ruby Thomas works full time in Clarinda but makes time to volunteer as the Coin City Council cemetery sexton. In this role, she has transformed the Elmwood Cemetery in Coin. What started as a cemetery in disrepair became a place other sextons study.
Through a local fundraising campaign, Ruby raised over $11,000 for cemetery renovations. This total increases today. Ruby's projects include fixing damaged headstones, resetting tombstones and maintaining the grounds. Ruby's work touches families who have loved ones buried at Elmwood.
Wednesday, Aug. 13: Donna Brown of Cedar Falls
Donna spent time working as a substitute teacher, exercise instructor and volunteer in Waterloo. She now lives in Cedar Falls but spends time volunteering in both communities. She works with several organizations like the Waterloo First Methodist Church, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, Northeast Iowa Food Bank and more.
Donna has also led efforts to develop the Church Row Historic Neighborhood Association. This group is dedicated to improving the Waterloo community by working toward common goals.
Thursday, Aug. 14: Peggy Smith of Baxter
Peggy spends a lot of time working for her community. When she noticed picnic tables were in disrepair, she and her husband worked to replace all the wood and bolts. She also organized a breast cancer walk, which raised $4000. She donated that money to the Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines.
To address littering, she worked with the Baxter Chamber of Commerce to obtain a grant that helped install new trash cans. Peggy also introduced "Welcome Bags" to the Chamber of Commerce. These bags welcome residents to the town and provide information about the area.
Friday, Aug. 15: Jean Saveraid of Huxley
Jean is a longstanding figure in the education system. She led the Gilbert Community School District's Talented and Gifted program for over 30 years. She's now retired but remains a substitute teacher and adjunct professor at Drake University. She spent 24 years on the Ballard School Board. She served as President and Vice President. Last year, she worked on the 2024-2025 Governor's School Safety and Infrastructure Task Force.
Outside of education, Jean has volunteered with several organizations. She also has a history at the Iowa State Fair. She shows horses and participates in the Military Tribute Band each year.
Saturday, Aug. 16: Lou Sipolt Jr. of Altoona
Lou is a media personality, seen on "Iowa Live" on Local 5. He spends time advocating for over twenty different organizations, like the American Heart Association and Childserve.
In his time on air, he has advocated for animal abuse prevention laws across Iowa, and his series "Doggies on Death Row" has helped over 2,000 dogs get adopted. He also has volunteered as an emcee at several Animal Rescue League fundraisers. Once, Lou buried himself in concrete for two days to raise awareness on weak animal cruelty laws.
vlog at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
You can see vlog 8 News live at 4:30 p.m. every weekday during the fair from the MidAmerican Energy Stage.