Outstanding Senior Citizens: Uhlenkamps Reflect on Years of Area Volunteer Work

August 29, 2022

Photo by Ben Sonnek: Marilyn and Lyle Uhlenkamp stop by the Stearns County Fairgrounds Aug. 5 in Sauk Centre. The Uhlenkamps were given the 2022 Stearns County Outstanding Senior Citizens award July 28 during Sauk Centre’s Stearns County Fair.

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer with Catholic Charities Central MN Foster Grandparent Program nominated as 2022 Stearns County Outstanding Senior Citizen

A couple of days before the Stearns County Fair, Lyle and Marilyn Uhlenkamp got a phone call from Marianne Walker, the 2021 Minnesota Outstanding Senior Citizen, letting them know they had been nominated as the 2022 Stearns County Outstanding Senior Citizens. On July 28, the Uhlenkamps took to the Heritage Stage at the Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre to receive their plaques and well-earned applause.


Because the Outstanding Senior Citizen awards are no longer being held at the state level, the Uhlenkamps will not be advancing in competition. However, they are happy with the recognition they have received, even though they do not consider their work to have been anything extraordinary.


“We just figure it’s normal,” Marilyn said. “We haven’t done anything so outstanding; we just figure that’s what you do if you belong to a community like ours.”


One of six children, Marilyn grew up in and graduated from Sauk Centre; after a year of working in the Sauk Centre High School office, she moved down to the Twin Cities.


Lyle was raised in Westport on a dairy farm as one of 10 children, later working in the Twin Cities before getting drafted in 1961, returning to the cities a couple of years later to drive truck.


“I got out (of the military) on the day Kennedy was assassinated,” Lyle said. “It was a little scary; everybody that got out that day thought, ‘We’re going to get called back,’ but that didn’t happen.”


Lyle and Marilyn met in the Sauk Centre Coliseum; they married in 1966 and, with the help of Marilyn’s family, they began dairy farming near Sauk Centre in 1972. Their three children attended Holy Family School in Sauk Centre and eventually got involved as third-generation 4-H members; Marilyn’s father had been part of 4-H before her, and Lyle had also been involved as a child.


The Uhlenkamp children’s 4-H involvement led to Marilyn starting as a project judge in the 1990s, and with Lyle’s assistance, she was soon judging at the county and the state level. They did not really think of their work as volunteer service.


“It’s just something you did as a family,” Marilyn said. “With 4-H, everybody in the family is involved. There’s no time for boredom when you’re in 4-H.”


Marilyn continues judging 4-H projects today; she mainly judges Stearns County but has helped in other counties as well. She mainly judges food, clothing, creative arts and Cloverbuds projects, staying out of areas like robotics and photography as they are not within her area of expertise. Marilyn remembers that, when she started judging, there were more children whose submissions involved gardening, clothing and model rocketry.


Around the same time, Lyle was serving on the Ashley Township Board. He held the position for a few years before his resignation.

“(The township meeting) was always on Tuesday, so you couldn’t cut hay on Monday because you had to go to that meeting,” Lyle said. “It puts you back to only Wednesday. When my son was home, it worked, but when he left for college, I just couldn’t do it.”


In 4-H, Marilyn also served on the advisory committee and was the club leader for several years; she and Lyle also helped make the food stand in the 4-H building at the Stearns County Fairgrounds. Outside of 4-H, Marilyn was a member of the Stearns County Extension Homemakers and was their president for a year, and she was also a township election judge. After their children had moved out, she worked at the then-new Alexandria Target for nine years, and in Sauk Centre, she taught religion at Holy Family School and worked on a number of parish committees.


Marilyn has been a member of the Foster Grandparent program for 17 years. Additionally, Lyle donates his time at his daughter’s daycare, where the children often call him Grandpa Lyle.


“I’m grandpa to I don’t know how many,” Lyle said. “In fact, I was grandpa to a kid who is now our lawyer.”


The Uhlenkamps maintain a close relationship with Holy Family School; not only did their three children go to school there, but so did three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren will be there in the fall. Lyle has made wooden items for the HFS Springfest sale, and the school will call on Lyle if they have woodworking projects such as bookshelves, chests of drawers or benches.

“They pay for the material, and I just donate my time,” Lyle said.


Lyle and Marilyn have also been involved with Sauk Centre Area Historical Society for many years, Lyle serving as treasurer for six years. Closer to their front door, the Uhlenkamps sometimes drive their neighbors for doctor’s appointments and other needs, and they help maintain the flowers around Lynx National Golf Course.


Additionally, the Uhlenkamps are part of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, helping with their booth at the Stearns County Fair and their annual rummage sale. Finally, they are both lifelong members of the Minnesota Adult Volunteer Association.

While they are honored to be recognized for all they have done and continue to do, the Uhlenkamps do not consider their efforts to be anything special.


“There are a lot of people in our community who probably do more than we do,” Marilyn said. “A lot of people are behind the scenes; you don’t know that they’re doing it. We don’t feel we’ve done anything that outstanding.”


This article was previously published in the August 11, 2022, issue of the Star Post, and is published here with permission of Star Publications. 

Our Recent News

Mary’s Journey to Financial Stability

By Brittany Hoversten • January 15, 2026
When Mary reached out to FHC, she was overwhelmed and worried about losing her home. A devoted wife and mother with a strong career, she never expected that sudden health issues would reduce her income and cause her to fall behind on her mortgage. Missing several payments left her feeling vulnerable and unsure of where to turn. Once her health improved and she returned to full-time work, Mary was determined to regain control of her finances. She partnered with a housing counselor who helped her take a clear look at her household budget, identify areas to reduce expenses, and create a realistic plan to address her debt. During the process, Mary shared heartfelt gratitude with her counselor: “I can’t thank you enough for being my voice when I couldn’t advocate for myself and not judging me for my mishaps. I’m thankful Catholic Charities is part of our community and is a blessing for many.” With renewed confidence, Mary contacted her mortgage company to explore available workout options. Because her illness qualified as a hardship, she was eligible for a partial claim. This option allowed her to resume regular mortgage payments while moving the past-due balance to the end of her loan—giving her the breathing room she needed. Today, Mary feels empowered and more intentional about managing her household finances. She has also brought her husband into the budgeting process, realizing she doesn’t have to shoulder everything alone. This experience has strengthened her confidence and set her family on a path toward long-term financial stability.

Where Are They Now: Nick’s Journey from Survivor to Leader

By Brittany Hoversten • December 30, 2025
Nick’s story isn’t easy to tell - but it’s powerful. He grew up in a world that didn’t give him much. Abuse, neglect, and instability were part of his everyday life. As a kid, Nick felt like he didn’t measure up. He didn’t have what other kids had, and he learned to lie - not to hurt anyone, but to protect himself. It was a survival skill that followed him into adulthood, where it stopped serving him and started hurting him. Drugs, broken relationships, court dates, Nick was stuck in a cycle that felt impossible to escape. But three years ago, something shifted. Nick entered treatment, and this time, he was ready. It wasn’t just about getting clean it was about rebuilding. And for the first time, people started believing in him. That belief made all the difference. Slowly, Nick began to see what others saw in him: potential, strength, and a future worth fighting for. Through the Catholic Charities Men’s Domestic Violence Program, Nick found something he’d never really had before. Real friendship, trust, and support. A supervisor gave him rides to work and treated him with respect. His housemates at the halfway house had his back. The men’s group became a safe space where Nick could grow. He joined a church. He started going to AA six times a week. He was building momentum, and he didn’t want to lose it. When Nick finished the program, he didn’t walk away. He asked himself, “What now?” and decided to keep showing up. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to. He knew he could help others. He understood the fear, the ego, the resistance to change, but because he’d lived it. And now, he was ready to help others break through those walls. Today, Nick leads the very group that helped change his life. He’s been promoted at work. He’s dreaming big and thinking about school, about becoming a counselor, about going all the way to the top. And we believe he will. Because Nick is the kind of person who lifts others up, who shows up even when it’s hard, and who never stops trying to be better. At Catholic Charities, we see how incredible Nick is. We’re proud to have him on our team—and we’re cheering him on every step of the way. The sky’s the limit, Nick. Keep doing amazing things!

More than Just a Meal

By Brittany Hoversten • December 9, 2025
Our Senior Dining programs offer more than just a meal – they provide a nurturing environment that fosters friendships, healing, and a sense of belonging. Roberta, a Senior Dining Coordinator for 15 years, has witnessed the powerful impact of our services at the Grasston and Mora locations. Among the many events that have touched her heart, one couple’s journey stands out as a beautiful testament to the healing power of community. A woman who had recently suffered a stroke, faced significant challenges. Most of her right side, including her vision, was affected, and she was determined to regain her independence. After her therapy sessions, she and her husband would come to Senior Dining, where they found not only a meal but a circle of support and care. Every visit, a group of women diners would greet them with warm smiles, helping with her jacket and guiding the couple to their table. These kind-hearted women went beyond mere kindness – they helped the woman with her meal and made sure she was comfortable and well-cared for throughout the dining experience. Over time, the woman’s strength and independence began to improve. The therapy sessions, combined with the unwavering support of her new friends at Senior Dining, made a significant difference in her recovery. The bonds formed in that dining hall grew stronger, evolving into genuine friendships that transcended just shared meals. What had started as a place for nourishment soon became a sanctuary of laughter, conversation, and companionship. It was clear that the true nourishment was not just the food – it was the emotional and social support the diners received, creating an atmosphere that was as healing as it was comforting. The couple still maintains their deep friendships with the group of women they met at Senior Dining. Even in their 80s and 90s, they continue to get together three or four times a year, reminiscing about the meals that sustained them, the friendships that uplifted them, and the kindness that made all the difference. For Roberta, this story is a reminder of the true essence of her work. It’s not just about coordinating meals – it’s about creating a community where people care for one another, lifting each other up in times of need.