Book of Golden Deeds

     To truly build a better America, the Exchange Club supports people who selflessly give of themselves.  Each year the Waverly Exchange Club recognizes an individual (or more than one) that works to help others and makes a positive difference in the world around them. The winner(s) of the Book of Golden Deeds is presented with an engraved plaque. 

Past recipients of the Book of Golden Deeds include:

  • Ike Ackerman
  • Betty Arns
  • Sharon Arends
  • Carl Dillon
  • Al Disrud
  • Steve & Vicki Foelske
  • Al Janssen
  • Dean Soash
  • Don Koehn
  • John Kurtt & Dave Engelbrecht
  • George & Colleen Miller
  • Myrtle Schroeder
  • John Johnston
  • Susan Kosche Vallem
  • Lavon Juhl
  • Paul & Nancy Magnall
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Al Janssen and Sheila Kittleson presented the award to Dan and Lou.
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Dave Arns, club member and nominator, pictured with Paul and Nancy Magnall, 2015 Book of Golden Deeds awardees.

Dan McKenzie & Lou MacDougall, 2016 Recipients

Paul & Nancy Magnall, 2015 Recipients

The Waverly Exchange Club honored Paul and Nancy Magnall as its 2015 Book of Golden Deeds recipient. The Magnall’s started their life of service working with the Heifer Project in Arkansas shortly after they were married. They were foster parents for 25 years and Nancy continues to lead the Allison Area Foster Parent Support Group. In addition to their service with foster children, they also volunteer with community meals at Vineyard Church and the community gardens. Nancy also works with the prison ministry in Waverly.  
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John Johnston (Book of Golden Deeds Award Committee), Veronica McKenzie (Lavon's nominator), Lavon Juhl, Al Janssen (Book of Golden Deeds Award Committee)

Lavon Juhl, 2014 Recipient

Veronica McKenzie nominated Lavon Juhl for this award and reviewed her years of dedicated volunteerism. Lavon delivered meals on wheels every Monday for ten years, volunteered at the hospital in numerous positions, continues to volunteer at the veterans home for over 35 years, has served as 4-H leader providing guidance for many years, taught Sunday school and Bible School for several years and has opened her home to allow other volunteers to meet or complete a task. She makes Waverly a better place and is always there for those who need help.
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Al Janssen (chair of Book of Golden Deeds Award), Susan Kosche Vallem, Jerry Vallem, and Heidi Solheim (Susan's Nominator)

Susan Kosche Vallem, 2013 Recipient

Susan Kosche Vallem has been a true leader and champion for high quality health care in Waverly as
evidenced by her more than 30 years on the Waverly Health Center Board of Trustees. She has a very strong commitment to making high quality health care available to the community. During several difficult financial years for the hospital in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, she maintained her commitment to keep Waverly’s hospital open and independent. Our honoree has provided positive, energetic leadership to the hospital through dramatic changes in the local and national healthcare environment. Her staying power has allowed the hospital to benefit from stability on the Board through many building projects and recruitment efforts. Since 1987 she has been teaching and mentoring social work students, as well as furthering the profession of social work. She currently volunteers with a number of community organizations and serves as an assisting minister at her church. Some the organizations I know she has worked with include Retrieving Freedom, Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, WHC’s Foundation, Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging, the Holiday Shoppe, and the American Red Cross.
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John Johnston, 2012 Recipient

John Johnston, 2012 Recipient

John was born and raised on a farm near Forest City, Iowa.  He graduated from Forest City High School, attended Waldorf Junior College and graduated from Wartburg College in 1969.  In December of 1968 he married Judy Anderson, they were blessed with four children and eight and one half grandchildren.  John served in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver and two Bronze Stars.  He has been in the financial services industry for 42 years. John has served on the church council at Redeemer Lutheran Church and currently
is Chairman of the Trust Fund Committee, has served on the United Way Board and has served as a Campaign Chairman, served on the Chamber of Commerce board, served on Wartburg College leadership campaign “Design for Tomorrow”, currently and/or has served on the Waverly Health Center Board of Trustees (26 years) and Waverly health Center Foundation (24 years). John is a charter member of the Waverly Exchange Club.  John has a passion for the Waverly community as he has served faithfully and in many capacities. His goal has always been to help grow Waverly so that it might become a better place to live and enjoy life. 
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Previous Book of Golden Deeds recipients John Kurtt and Dave Engelbrecht
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2010 Book of Golden Deeds recipients Vicki and Steve Foeske
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Previous Book of Goldent Deeds recipients Colleen and George Miller
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Previous Book of Golden Deeds recipients Al Disrud, Betty Arns, and Betty's husband Rollie
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Previous Book of Golden Deeds recipients Myrtle Schroeder and Don Koehn
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Previous Book of Golden Deeds recipients Al Janssen and Don Koehn
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