Schnell receives Iowa Grange Community Service Award

Jean Schnell of Newton received the Iowa State Grange Community Service award during the recent 146th session of the Iowa State Grange held at the Amboy Grange in Kellogg. The award was presented by Iowa State Grange Master Dwight Baldwin, of Kellogg, on Sept. 12.

Schnell currently serves as the lecturer (program director) of the Oak Ridge Grange where she has been a member for more than 60 years. She has served as junior matron for the Oak Ridge Grange and as chaplain of the Iowa State Grange.

Schnell’s community involvement over the years includes work as a 4-H leader, PTA officer, class representative with the Newton Alumni Association, member of St. Luke Methodist church and the Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary now known as WISH (Women Investing in Skiff Health).

Schnell was part of the steering committee for the rural water effort and served as a director of Central Iowa Water Association for many years. She was a dedicated member of the board of directors of the Jasper County Historical Museum and served as a docent and committee chairman.