Barbara Holthaus: A Milestone of Service to 4-H

Barbara Holthaus is truly a native Coloradan--born in Englewood, CO, in 1922. She received a B.S. degree in 1943 from the University of Denver where she majored in retailing and secretarial science. Her first introduction to Extension volunteer work was in 1947 when she joined the Arapahoe County Azusa Home Demonstration Club. She and several other homemakers formed the Lucky Leaf 4-H Club to teach sewing and other skills to youth.

Holthaus was awarded a trip to National 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1959 for her many years of teaching. She represented eleven western states with a trip sponsored by the Singer Sewing Machine Company. During the last 50 years, Holthaus has provided leadership for a half-dozen 4-H clubs in Arapahoe County, working with hundreds of local youth. An especially memorable activity was her ability to foster leadership skills and encourage 4-H junior leaders (youth 13 years old or more who assume leadership roles) to provide educational opportunities and 4-H experiences for retarded youth, in cooperation with the Gallup School for the Retarded in Littleton. She was recognized by the Arapahoe Association for Retarded Citizens with an award for her many years of service as a 4-H leader for retarded children.

Another notable contribution of Barbara Holthaus has been her interest in ensuring long-term financial support for the Colorado 4-H Youth Development Program. In 1967, she organized the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation, becoming a charter member. She served in a number of offices and is still a sustaining donor and honorary member. She helped pilot a statewide fund-raising program called the 4-H Alliance for which she served as chair and as a committee member for seven years. She has been a key participant in and currently serves as chair of the executive board of the Colorado 4-H Youth Fund, the state 4-H foundation.

Other contributions Holthaus has made to Colorado State University and Extension have included service as a member and officer on the Arapahoe County Advisory Council and the Colorado Extension Advisory Council. In 1990, she and husband William established an endowment fund for the Bill and Barbara Holthaus Family 4-H Scholarship for youth attending Colorado State University. She is a Charter Member of Colorado State University's 1870 Club and for four years served on its steering committee. She recently was honored with the Colorado State University Distinguished Extension Award by the CSU Alumni Association.

During her almost 55 years of service, Holthaus has been recognized with many honors for her contributions to positive youth development, including the Service to Youth Award from the Englewood Women's Club; the Grandview Grange Award for outstanding leadership in 4-H Club work; the State 4-H Leader Recognition for 20 years of service; the Arapahoe County Fair Outstanding Leader Award; Twenty Years of 4-H Leadership Award by the Colorado Farm Bureau; Friend of 4-H Award by the Colorado Association of Extension 4-H Agents; Friend of Extension Award by Epsilon Sigma Phi-Extension's Honorary Fraternity; and the Important Volunteer of the Year Award by the Arapahoe County 4-H Foundation.

When she is not doing the 4-H work she loves, she finds time to be active in the redevelopment of downtown Englewood--she was appointed by the City Council to the Englewood Downtown Development Authority, and she often delivers Meals on Wheels and makes daily visits to area nursing homes. Her personal interests include sewing, cooking, home decorating and traveling. As Barbara looks forward to celebrating her 80th birthday this year, she also can look back on her 55 grand years of service to Colorado State University Extension and the 4-H program.

--Wendy Douglass

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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