Emma Jean Russell
The Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation endowment was established in 2011 by an initial donation of $25,000 from Mr. and Mrs Leon and Emma Jean Russell of Cordova, Ill.
Our Foundation’s board of directors
felt the best way to honor their legacy was to establish an endowment. The
generous couple wanted to contribute to the programs that greatly impacted
their lives. Reflecting on their life and the people and programs that had a
lasting impact, Rock Island County 4-H, Extension, and HCE programs were at the
top of their list. Emma Jean was a 4-H leader for over 20 years and
influenced hundreds of youth through her tremendous volunteer leadership.
She also valued that her own children learned many skills as they worked on
their 4-H projects. She talked about the fond memories they had of going to the
county and state fairs with 4-H. Emma's life was further enriched as a
long-time member of Rock Island County HCE (Home and Community Education)
Association where she enjoyed lasting friendships and “Lessons for
Living”. The Russell's made another significant contribution to the
endowment of $10,000, ensuring an even greater annual disbursement and
continued growth of the newly established fund.
We are so very grateful to the Russell family for their support, involvement and volunteerism with our organization. Emma Jean passed away in August, 2019, joining her husband Leon who passed away in 2015. They were married for 62 years and have left a wonderful legacy through their benevolent lives and it lives on in their two sons and daughters-in-law, Craig (Lynn) Russell, Dublin, OH, and Blake (Jan) Russell of Arlington Heights, IL; grandsons Nicholas of Dublin, OH, Alex of Albuquerque, NM, Nathaniel of Arlington Heights, IL, and granddaughter, Maryn of Arlington Heights, IL.
Martha Rittmueller
In 2016, the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation received another significant donation of over $10,000 from the estate of Martha P. Rittmueller. She had served as county director for Rock Island County Extension and wanted to provide a gift to support the programs she valued and worked so diligently to develop and flourish under her direction. Martha's generous funds were added to the endowment, allowing her gift and legacy of leadership to continuing to bless the programs she valued so much today and far into the future.
Through the generous support of donors like the Russells and the Rittmuellers, our endowment has grown to over $50,000. It provides annual support to meet the needs of the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H programs that serve our community, helping to change lives and extend knowledge for youth, home, farm, family and community.
Lois Mitchell
Many Illinois 4-H alumni who grew up in the 70s and 80s knew and loved Lois Mitchell. She was the 4-H and nutrition and wellness educator in Rock Island County Extension. She led and inspired teens to achieve their personal best, learning through her clubs and nutrition programs.
The late Lois T. Mitchell has had a truly profound impact on Rock Island County 4-H and Extension programs. At one time, she was responsible for 74 4-H clubs that reached 1,350 members, the Handy Buds program serving special needs people, as well as being responsible for 30 Home and Community Association Units in her 36 years of service to the U of I Extension. Lois had also been recognized for Distinguished Service and Sustained Excellence.
When Lois passed away in 1987, she left a life insurance policy to the Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation. In 2015 the Foundation dedicated $25,000 of those funds to start an endowment in her honor. When you make a gifts to the Lois Mitchell Endowment for Rock Island County Extension and 4-H, you are providing support for the programs which were so important to Lois. Your gift will keep on giving for future generations! Each year, her endowment provides funds to Rock Island County 4-H programs and scholarships. Friends and alumni who knew and loved Lois can continue to add funds to help her endowment grow and flourish.