Don & Arlene
Don and Arlene Schmiedeskamp
Don and Arlene Schmiedeskamp were a well-known fixture at the Adams County Fair and some of the fair’s biggest supporters for many years.
Don was born April 4, 1923. His bride Arlene was born a few years later on August 25, 1926 in LaPrairie, Illinois. Arlene was a 1944 graduate of Camp Point High School and attended Gem City Business College. They married on March 31, 1946, at the Camp Point Christian Church in Camp Point Illinois.
Don and Arlene worked the land as farmers and welcomed four children: Phil, Les, Jeff and Kurt. They attended the First Congregational Church of Mendon.
Don was born April 4, 1923. His bride Arlene was born a few years later on August 25, 1926 in LaPrairie, Illinois. Arlene was a 1944 graduate of Camp Point High School and attended Gem City Business College. They married on March 31, 1946, at the Camp Point Christian Church in Camp Point Illinois.
Don and Arlene worked the land as farmers and welcomed four children: Phil, Les, Jeff and Kurt. They attended the First Congregational Church of Mendon.
The Schmiedeskamp's son Kurt showing a cow at the Adams County Fair.
While farming kept them very busy, they always had time for the Adams County Fair. Their sons showed cattle. Arlene worked in the church stand serving plate lunches and brought her home-made pies to sell. In fact, Don and Arlene were recognized on the grandstand stage with an award for their continued support of the Adams County Fair for more than 60 years.
Don and Arlene were recognized on the grandstand stage with an award for their continued support of the Adams County Fair for more than 60 years.
While the duo always made time to volunteer at the Adams County Fair, Arlene had a real talent in the kitchen. She loved to bake and cook, often giving her cinnamon rolls and goodies to friends and family. She was well-known in the county for her angel food cake and homemade noodles, both of which took home many blue ribbons in the fair’s culinary department.
In fact, her granddaughter Kari says she always won first place on her angel food cake.
In fact, her granddaughter Kari says she always won first place on her angel food cake.
|
Arlene teaching her Granddaughter Kari how to make her famous noodles.
|
|
Kari carries on that tradition today, entering an angel food cake with her grandmother’s recipe. She says her grandmother always used the leftover egg yolks from the cake to make noodles, that would also win a blue ribbon at the fair.
Don and Arlene were married 61 years until Don’s passing on August 28, 2007.
Don never missed a day at the Adams County Fair until his death. Arlene attended every day of the Adams County Fair until she was no longer able to. Her last fair was at age 97.
Don and Arlene were married 61 years until Don’s passing on August 28, 2007.
Don never missed a day at the Adams County Fair until his death. Arlene attended every day of the Adams County Fair until she was no longer able to. Her last fair was at age 97.
|
|
|
|
The Schmiedeskamps left a legacy that is still felt at the Adams County Fair. They had a deep love for the fair, and passed that tradition down to their children, and later their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their children were fair supporters. Their grandchildren still attend the fair, volunteer and enter exhibits in the domestic arts departments. Some of their great grandchildren can be seen showing hogs in the pig barn.
They are a legacy to remember.
They are a legacy to remember.