Rotarian Ken Schmieding and Cheryl Schmieding were both recognized by the Seward Rotary Club at its year end meeting
Schmieding Honored for 46 Years Perfect Attendance with Seward Rotary Club
Ken Schmieding was recognized with the J. Don Miller Memorial Perfect Attendance Award for having obtained a local record of perfect attendance with the Seward Rotary Club for his 46 years of perfect attendance. The award is a memorial to the late Rotarian J. Don Miller of Seward, the local Dry Cleaner and owner of Geesens Master Cleaners and who also believed in attending every Rotary meeting -- having over 25 years of perfect attendance before he passed away. He and Ken often competed on who would be the first one to the meeting. The “Miller” award is presented to local Rotarians who obtain perfect attendance and Ken Schmieding continues to be recognized, which was more difficult in 2021 due to prolonged health issues that included hospitalization. Because of the magic of the “Zoom” aspect, Schmieding was able to continue to be part of the local meetings.
Over the years, if he missed a Seward meeting, he would visit a neighboring Rotary Club in David City, Aurora, York, Crete, Friend and all of the Lincoln Rotary Clubs-especially Lincoln #14 Rotary in Downtown Lincoln. Ken has served as the President of Rotary, was at Rotary Group Study Exchange Leader to Argentina for six weeks with a team of young business leaders and chaired numerous Rotary Committees.
“When Ken started with the Rotary Club, 46 years ago, the philosophy of Rotary stressed the importance of meeting attendance, in fact many clubs required regular attendance if you were a member- but with today’s busy business schedules, that attendance has been relaxed-but not for Ken Schmieding!” commented Seward Rotary President Matt Dominy. “We are very proud of the loyalty of Ken and so glad his health has improved to the point of returning to the meeting in person. If fact, he is the program Chairman for our club the month of January! It is great to see this tradition continue and we are so pleased to recognize him.”
In receiving the award, Schmieding reflected on the importance of the Seward Rotary Club and the reminisced years of working side by side in “Service Above Self” with many other longtime Rotarians. His wife Cheryl, daughter Tina and son-in-law Jon Marroquin and granddaughter Molly were all in attendance for the presentation.
He received a framed, signed certificate of recognition and has his name engraved on the J. Don Miller Memorial Perfect Attendance plaque.
Ken Schmieding has been a professional photographer in Seward for over 60 years.
Cheryl Schmieding Named a “Paul Harris Fellow.”
In a surprise gesture, the Seward Rotary Club recognized Cheryl Schmieding of Seward, with the Rotary International “Paul Harris Fellow.” The surprise award was presented following her husband’s perfect attendance award and recognized her for her service in the community and the workplace and especially for her devotion and efforts to bring her husband back to good health.
“It is with pleasure that we honor Cheryl Schmieding with the “Paul Harris Award” as she has exemplified the motto of Rotary “Service Above Self,” and we are especially grateful she has worked hard to bring Ken back to good health and back to our meetings,” commented Jon Kruse, Seward Rotary Foundation Chairman. “This award is presented to Cheryl and $1000 was donated in her name to the Rotary International Foundation, funding the work of Rotary international-with projects as polio eradication worldwide through “Polio Plus and various Grant programs of Rotary! Thank you Cheryl for your dedication and loyalty. We are impressed and wanted to recognize you for your hard work.”
Cheryl was presented with a certificate, ribboned Paul Harris medal and the “Paul Harris Fellow” pin. “This ‘Paul Harris’ award is even more special, as it is the 100th “Paul Harris Award” funded by Seward Rotary members and the club over the years, which represents over $100,000.00 donated to Rotary International by Seward,” noted Bonnie Kruse-Seward Rotary Foundation Co-Chair. “There have been many, many who have donated funds and named individuals with the “Paul Harris Fellows” and we can point with pride to the support of this international effort of support”
The “Paul Harris Fellow” award is named to honor the founder of Rotary International –Paul Harris, of Chicago. The award funds from the award are placed in an endowment, using only interest income on the various international projects and grants. For more information on the Rotary Foundation or the “Paul Harris Fellow” award, contact Jon and Bonnie Kruse at jonandbonnie@hotmail.com