Simply outstanding
Rafson, Coudron named Outstanding Seniors; Fier honored as veteran
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MARSHALL -- The county fair brings lots of people together - and on Saturday, the gathering was all about celebrating area senior citizens.
"I like to hold up the people we celebrate as role models," said Jaen Weilage, one of the organizers of the annual Lyon County Senior Program. "They make so many contributions as volunteers in the county. They also are people you can depend on."
The Senior Program was held Saturday at the fairgrounds. The program featured music and entertainment, but the highlight of the ceremony was naming 2023's Outstanding Senior Citizens. This year's honorees are Dennis Rafson and Angie Coudron.
For the first time, a special recognition was also awarded to a Lyon County veteran this year. Heidi Fier was named the Lyon County Veteran of the Year.
Weilage said all three of the honorees contributed a lot to their communities. Rafson has been involved in many projects to help others over the years, from being part of Meals on Wheels to building solar ovens that went to the Dominican Republic. Rafson is also a regular volunteer at the Lyon County Museum.
"Denny was one of the helpers that made the Heritage Room (at the museum) look so wonderful, because of all his woodworking skills," Weilage said.
Rafson said he also does volunteer work indexing obituary files for the historical and genealogical records at the museum. It's a big job, he said. "There are 28 different papers in the southwest corner of the state," he said.
"He's another one of those people behind the scenes, where people maybe don't see the job that's happening, but it's an important one," Weilage said.
Angie Coudron was not able to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday, but organizers did surprise her at the Kitchen Table Food Shelf in Marshall, Weilage said.
"She does a lot of the record-keeping and the intake there at the food shelf," Weilage said. "She's done that almost 26 years."
"So many of the participants at the food shelf know her, and know her friendly ways. If you've ever had to ask for assistance in your life, you know that can be kind of a challenge," she said. "Angie makes it smooth, and makes it go so well that it's an easy task to get that little bit of help you need."
Weilage said Coudron is also active in church organizations, and is a quilter.
During the ceremony, Lyon County VSO Heidi Fier was surprised by being named Lyon County Veteran of 2023.
"This our first year, and we hope to continue it as an annual honor," Weilage said.
"This is quite an honor. I appreciate the recognition," Fier said. Fier is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force, and she has served as Lyon County VSO for the past six years.
Fier said her work is much more than a job.
"I've worked and been in the military most of my life . . . My brother served in the Air Force, my dad was Army. So to be able to work and continue working with veterans, it's just an honor for me," Fier said. She encouraged all Lyon County veterans to come see her, and learn about opportunities and benefits for them and their families.
"I'd love to talk to all the veterans, because there's so many of you out there that have been participants in history," she said.