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Reynolds' named Citizen of the Year
Reynolds
A SURPRISED Judy Reynolds reacts after she and her husband LaVon received the 2013 Outstanding Citizen Award from Karl Krogen at the Boscobel Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Saturday night at Boscobel Bowl & Banquet.

A surprised and grateful Judy Reynolds thanked the 86 people in attendance at Saturday night’s Boscobel Chamber of Commerce Banquet after she and her husband LaVon received the Outstanding Citizen Award for 2013.

“You guys!” she exclaimed. “We had no idea. We were told it was going to (our son) Michael. This is just a wonderful surprise. We are so grateful.”

The award was presented by Karl Krogen, whose Saturday night speech follows:

The Outstanding Citizen Award is sponsored by the Boscobel Chamber of Commerce and established in the memory of Chuck Yahn, a Boscobel businessman, and church, school, and community booster.

This community has many devoted people who give endless hours in community service year after year. It is an honor to receive this nomination. Once a name is received, the nominee will remain eligible for the next three years.

Each year, Boscobel residents submit nominations for this award. We are privileged to have so many people dedicated to our community. We acknowledge their devotion, service, and support to the Boscobel area and its people. At this time, we would like to recognize and say “thank you” to this years’ new nominees: Tom Richter, Dan Karasek and Jerry Dayton.

This year, it is my pleasure to present a joint award to a Boscobel couple who have unselflessly served this community as a team since they were married 60 years ago this year.

They have lived in the Boscobel area all of their lives, and both graduated from Boscobel High School.  He served in the navy during the Korean conflict, and after returning to Boscobel he happened to meet a young waitress, the younger sister of a good friend, and they were married in 1954.

After serving his apprenticeship with two uncles in the construction business, he founded his own construction business, which he continued to operate for over 40 years in the Boscobel area.

The couple raised five children of their own and fostered many others along the way, including  Mike of Boscobel, Corby of Decorah, Iowa, (currently in Spain and unable to attend); Mark, who made the trip from Denver; Debbie from Boscobel and special son Rex from DeForest.  Both husband and wife were deeply involved with their children’s activities, both at church and school.

As he had been an Eagle Scout in his youth, he continued to serve as a Boy Scout Leader, while his wife became a Blue Birds Leader.  She also volunteered and tutored at the elementary school, and he served on the school board for many years.

After the death of one of their children, a Boscobel High School track star, they became instrumental in making the Boscobel track a reality.  The Sparky Invitational was born and is still one of the largest track events hosted by Boscobel High School.  They have proudly supported the high school’s track and cross country programs, attending countless meets and invitationals, and their encouragement and belief in good sportsmanship continue in the lasting relationships they have forged with Boscobel students and athletes.

Both awardees are long-standing and active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he has served as an officer on the church council, and she has assisted with confirmation classes and taught Sunday School for almost fifty years. 

They have truly exemplified the model of Christian compassion, helping numerous friends, neighbors, and even strangers, whenever the need arose.  Not only have countless people in our community and beyond benefited by warm meals when sick or bereaved, a helping hand in time of need, and other kind deeds, but we all have benefited by the wonderful example this couple has provided for us.

After an accident in 2003, he retired from LaVon Reynolds Construction and Boscobel Excavating.  His children still recall his emphasis on strong work ethic, which he made sure all of them shared.  And their mom always told them, “I don’t care what you do, but if you start it, you finish it.”  This passion and work ethic is visible in every facet of this remarkable couple’s lives, from their selfless support of their children and foster children, to their faithful commitment to their church, to their generosity and friendship to Boscobel’s schools and community. We would all do well to follow the inspiring model set before us by the 2013 Citizens of the Year:
LaVon and Judy Reynolds.