Merry Klemme

Retired 4-H Youth Development Educator

Merry Klemme, a one-time member of the Merry Belle’s 4-H Club, a Sheboygan County 4-H Volunteer Leader and UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator is a youth advocate, mentor, and educator.

Resilience throughout her professional life and a passion for empowering others are key leadership qualities Merry demonstrates. Merry was active around the table reminding others to include youth voices in program design and implementation. Her initiatives included a “youth center without walls”, empowering youth to serve on boards and fostering additional leadership opportunities for youth. Her dedication to citizenship was demonstrated through her work securing a grant and supporting a program that connected immigrant youth with mentors.

Merry initiated multi-disciplinary programs working collaboratively with other UW-Extension program area colleagues to address their county needs. A rural Safety Day and a school age child care program are examples of these collaborations. Merry served Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Calumet Counties during her work as a 4-H Youth Development Educator.

Throughout her career, Merry led communities in developing positive youth-adult partnerships and supporting youth voices. Her influence among colleagues and volunteers keeps everyone asking, “What can we learn from youth?”

After retirement Merry returned to volunteering for 4-H, founded the Sheboygan County Silent Auction, and she currently teaches cultural art project “fun” shops every year in several different counties.