4(H) cheers for Miss Dortha

Dortha Strack of Cape Girardeau is 84 years young and has volunteered for the local 4-H chapter for more than five decades.

She's also been a fixture at the SEMO District Fair at least that long, probably longer.

"As far as I know, I haven't missed many of them," she said.

That includes the 2016 fair, despite her being hindered by a hip injury that recently left her in a wheelchair.

In January, Strack had hip replacement surgery, only to re-injure herself a few months later after a fall in her driveway.

Dortha Strack interviews Hunter Aufdenberg, 7, about his chicken, "Little Indian," during the poultry and rabbit dress-up contest on Sept. 11, during the SEMO District Fair at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

Even though she's been in a temporary assisted living program at The Chateau Girardeau in recent weeks, Strack said she's not only determined to make it back to the home she built many years ago on the farm where she was born, but there was no way she was going to miss the fair.

"I'm determined; that's what they tell me at (Chateau Girardeau)," she said.

Strack began her almost lifelong love affair with all things 4-H and home economics when she was in her early 20s. She had aged out of regular 4-H activities, so she became involved in a rural youth organization that led her to becoming a 4-H leader.

Although Strack's dream had been to go to college to become a home ec teacher, her grandparents needed her help and that of her sister, so the young women decided to stick around instead of heading off to school.

After Strack's father died when she was 5 or 6, she, her sister and mother had moved to the farm.

"My grandparents helped me out, so I [felt] I needed to help them," she said.

The farm was near the current site of the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, and its main function was as a dairy operation.

"You had to milk the cows, slop the hogs and feed the chickens before you went to school," Strack said.

In 1957, Strack got married, so her grandfather gave her 3 acres on which to build her home, which she shared with her husband until his death in 2003 and where the couple raised three boys.

In addition to her 4-H activities, Strack began helping out at Sunny Hill Gardens & Florist about 46 years ago, and still does.

A recent nomination for the Southeast Missourian's annual Spirit of America Award described Strack -- known to many as Miss Dortha -- as being instrumental in shaping generations of youths.

"Her door is always open and she pushes everyone to do their best," it reads.

In addition to her many other duties and activities, Strack has volunteered to serve on the fair board for many years and was instrumental in getting permission from the city not only to erect the 4-H building at Arena Park, but also raised money for its construction.

Every month, she holds a Kids Day at Sunny Hill and has been involved in the Kage Family and Community Education (FCE) group for 60 years. She also had a radio show at one time that shared gardening tips and tricks.

"Instead of being a home ec teacher, I feel like I did more doing this," she said.

ljones@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3652

Pertinent address:

Arena Park, 410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.