The last name Honish is well known around the Tomah area, and for good reason. You may hear it around 4-H events, FFA involvement, or the Queen of Apostles Parish and school. A name that’s rooted in volunteering and exhibit concern for the community, is why Stephen and Leanne Honish were presented Oakdale Electric Cooperative’s Selfless Service
Award.
Stephen and Leanne married in 1979 and in 1990 bought a farm between Tomah and Warrens consisting of 300 acres where they milked 60 cows. The couple knows what hard work consists of raising four children while farming and adding six grandchildren to the mix. They later sold the farm to their second oldest child Neil who continues to raise feeder cattle.
Frequently, you can see Stephen and Leanne volunteering at the Queen of Apostles Parish in Tomah and Warrens. Whether there is something to make for a bake sale, the St. Pat’s Carnival, Warrens Cranberry Fest pancake breakfast, cooking meals, or making and delivering care baskets, these two are often found behind the scenes.
Caring for others is genuinely in their nature. Both Stephen and Leanne share conversations with individuals in healthcare facilities, whether in person or chatting over the phone. Time is a valuable thing and they both give it selflessly. Their garden is so fruitful that they share vegetables with local neighbors and food pantries while also donating lightly used items to people and places in need. A true testament of their character, when a family suffered the total loss of their home, Stephen and Leanne opened their home and took care of four extra children for two months.
Staying active in their community is an understatement for this duo. Throughout their lives they have volunteered for several organizations including 4-H, FFA, Monroe County Farmers Union, local dairy breakfasts, and more. You may have even spotted Stephen driving the barrel train at various events around Tomah, Kendall, and West Salem, bringing smiles to young and old.
While their community and neighbors are important to them, Stephen and Leanne treasure their family. Whether it’s helping with field work or running grandkids to all their extracurricular activities, their kids know they can count on them. A quality they instilled in their children was work ethic and that is reflected throughout their family branch.
True models of what a volunteer stands for, serving others is their genuine character. Stephen and Leanne’s oldest daughter Jennifer nominated them for the award. A daughter proud of who raised her concluded with, “they are a couple that demonstrates service over self.”
Nominations for the next Selfless Service Award are due by Friday, December 20, 2024. Nominate now!