Eminent Homemaker
County: Brookings
Adele Davis, 58, whose daughter has taken over leadership of the 4-H club she once led, and whose granddaughter is now a member of the same club, was honored in 1973 as Eminent Homemaker by the South Dakota Board of Regents and South Dakota State University.
Her husband, Wilmer, is general manager of Sokota Hybrid Producers of Brookings and Davis can prepare supper for his crew of up to 11 men at 6:30 p.m. and still arrive on time to chair an 8 p.m. meeting of 100 women.
After earning a one-year teacher’s certificate from Wessington Springs Junior College, Davis, the former Adele Swensen of Carthage, taught in rural schools in Sanborn County in 1935. Her beginning salary was $40 per month—in warrants.
She led a 4-H club for 15 years; is serving her third year on the advisory board for SDSU; has been a county Extension Homemaker’s Council member for 34 years, served on the Brookings County Extension Advisory Board, and was county chairman of the 4-H Leader’s Association.
She was also county chairman of the American Cancer Society for seven years and still serves on the advisory board. She has held offices in the Women’s Society of the First Methodist Church, is past secretary of the board of trustees, and has worked in other church organizations.
Besides daughter Lou Ann (Mrs. Curtis Jensen), Brookings, who has stepped into her mother’s 4-H leader role, the Davis family includes Nancy (Mrs. David Frame), Washington D.C., and Thomas, Brookings, area farmer.