Flitners count themselves among the many who were positively impacted by 4-H

A year ago, we tried to reach people in the community who had belonged to 4H, FFA or FHA in their youth and have seen generations of their family follow in their footsteps.   Last year we reached out to members of the Haley family, the Horton family and we talked to Greg Flitner who was a younger generation of the Flitner family.  

This year, several weeks ago, we received a letter from David Flitner, a member of the GHS class of 1951.  It was a letter he thought had been mailed a year ago.  In it, he and his oldest daughter Kathryn Wallop, wrote of their memories of 4H and how it has impacted their lives.  

David recalled, “I distinctly remember my first experience with my new 4-H Hereford calf in about 1943, when I was 10. That was 81 years ago but I remember training and tending my steer as if it were yesterday.”

David recalls the instructional meetings with the 4-H leaders and the University of Wyoming Extension Agent Bill Eckardt, who closely supervised record keeping to ensure they were staying caught up.

He recalls cold winter mornings of leaving a warm bed and going out in 20 to 30 below temperatures, accompanied by his older brother John.  He recalls the feeding, the watering, the brushing, teaching them to lead, chores that had to be repeated at night when they got home from school ... but all their hard work paid off.  The calves grew, became strong and healthy, were easy to show, and the generous returns from the 4-H sale went into their savings accounts.

“4-H contributed to my future education and also taught me how to use Robert’s Rules of Order to run meetings, a skill I have used my entire life.”

“There are so many residual benefits from this program that it was only natural I encouraged all my kids to be involved when they came of age.  Each did so to their benefit.”

From David on down to his daughter Kathryn, the Flitners were longtime members of the Shell Rough Riders 4-H club.

Adding to her father’s 4-H memories, Kathryn added that she also raised bum lambs, which she had to bottle feed from birth. They followed her around like dogs.  It was a completely different experience from raising calves but she grew attached to the lambs as well.  “Every beast has its challenges,” Kathryn said.

4-H leaders for the Shell Rough Riders included Stan and Mary Flitner, John and Eleanor Anderson, Jack and Mary Clucas, and Jim Whaley.  Their encouragement and guidance throughout the 4-H years couldn’t be measured.  For Kathryn, the hardest part was having to say “farewell” to her “project” at the conclusion of the county fair when the livestock auction was held.  She admits there were times she had tears when she had to say goodbye.

In closing, Kathryn said her years in 4-H were some of the most enjoyable years of her life.  She said she learned to do some hard things but that she also made some friendships that will last her lifetime.