08/23/2026
Congratulations to Maynard & Mary Jean Murch! They will be inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair this afternoon!
Their years of dedication to 4-H is visible in their story ⬇️
Mary Jean was raised on a farm in Black Hawk County. She grew up in a 4-H family and was an 8-year member of the Mt. Vernon Pals 4-H Club. Her projects involved Clothing, Food and Nutrition, Home Improvement and Creative Arts. She graduated from Waterloo Columbus High School, following that she received her Registered Nurse degree from Allen School of Nursing. Her nursing career centered in Pediatrics and School Nursing.
Maynard was born in Fargo, ND and graduated from North Dakota State University in 1974 in Medical Laboratory Science. They met at Allen Hospital where they both worked at the time and were married in 1977. His 4-H involvement began when their children were born. Mary Jean was a 4-H leader for 13 years for the Bennington Boosters 4-H Club. Their five children (Herb, Becca, David, Mike & Nick) all became 4-H members in this club. During that time the club undertook a major community service project, restoration of a one room country school in their township - Bennington School #4. The project offered many citizenship and leadership projects for the members including oral histories of the alumni, a school newsletter sent to community members, a tree planting outing at the school site, and grant writing for the project.
Additionally, Maynard served on the Black Hawk County 4-H Youth Council and has been involved with the county fair, helping with the sheep project. He constructed dog agility obstacles which continue to be used today with dog projects.
For almost two decades, Mary Jean has been a fair superintendent in the static projects area. She presented at the 2004 Iowa 4-H Leadership Conference in Hills, IA and they were recipients of the Century 4-H Family Award in 2002. They have planned and led numerous woodworking workshops in the county besides chairing the annual fair picnic.
They continue to support 4-H in various ways, one which is giving next-generation involvement since they have 18 grandchildren with 13 presently in Iowa 4-H. Other community involvement: Maynard serves as a Bennington Township trustee and an officer of the Bennington Neighborhood Association. He is currently on the Allen College Board of Trustees and the Waterloo Catholic Cemeteries Board of Directors. Mary Jean enjoys quilting, sewing, gardening and music. She has been a church musician for 3 decades. She is involved with the Iowa Country School Association. She is a member of the Allen College Alumni Board and the Cedar Valley Nurse Honor Guard. They both love spending time with their family, especially the 18 grandchildren.
Congratulations and thank you to Maynard and Mary Jean for their service to 4-H!
