It is with great pleasure that I nominate Mrs. Marlene Eimers for consideration for the 2024 American Legion Auxiliary Unit Member of the Year. In addition to performing her duties as Chaplain of Redfield Clay Kiser Post 92, Marlene demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to her Legion Post, church, community, as well as the general public. Volunteering in service to veterans is something that has been instilled in Marlene from a young age. She grew up with a family of veterans; her father and 6 of his brothers, and 6 of 8 male cousins were all enlisted in the military.Marlene takes great pride in performing Chaplain duties for each Auxiliary meeting, including writing her own prayers and conducting Memorials for deceased members. She also spearheaded making patriotic pillowcases to send to deploying soldiers. She went to the school to discuss the flag, and read a book about the flag with kindergarten students. Each student was also presented with their own flag. Teaching has always been a passion for Marlene, and this is evident in her heading up the American Essay and poetry contest. She takes the time to meet personally with teachers, send emails, and provide necessary help in writing essays or poems. There is also an Americanism Tea that is held for the 1st-3rd place winners and parents, where the students present their essays and receive their prizes. The spring of 2023 saw the largest response to the Americanism Essay and Poetry contest, with 200 entries. In 2024, Marlene chaired a Poppy Poster Contest to aid in bringing back interest to it. She met with the art teacher and provided books to read about the poppy.
Marlene’s community involvement includes:
• Spink County Historical Society Treasurer: This includes playing bills and wages of museum staff, preparing quarterly reports, paying taxes, updating the museum, and presenting reports to County Commissioners. Marlene has also spent significant time helping to restore the One Room School, including helping to establish new grass at the school site.
• Past South Dakota History Teacher of the Year
• Local Regent of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas: Marlene is instrumental in heading fundraisers and meetings, and is a member of the Funeral Committee, helping to set up and serve funerals and provide food when needed. She also coordinates the Military Pillow Project that teams with the Auxiliary to send patriotic pillowcases and the Soldier’s prayer and Prayer Book to deployed soldiers.
• Redfield Area Retired School Personnel: Past President, Present Secretary: Continuing her love of teaching, Marlene plans and hosts the County Spelling Contest. She also helps other retired school personnel by providing food to students as part of the Nutrition Mission program.

• Board Member at the Carnegie Library: Attends meetings as well as helps at the library. Marlene also helps with the young children who come to the library for Library School each week.
Testimonials:
“Marlene Eimers is being true to her mantra that retirement would give her the opportunity to shift her time and energy to worthy community and church projects. I have worked with her as part of the Spink County Historical Society where she took over the office of treasurer. She has been instrumental in keeping our finances in order and has spearheaded painting of the museum - including moving display cases, arranging for a handicap bathroom remodel, installing chair lift to the basement, and repairing and replacing the museum’s roof. She has been instrumental in having prairie grass planted around the Deiter school, and arranging for an asbestos check for the building.
She also has been willing to help our Depot as well, volunteering to man the facility during our annual Train Day celebration.
She has chaired everything from the Education committee to the breakfast committee, and has helped with candy sales for our Catholic Daughter court. Presently she serves in a presidential capacity as our court regent.
You have a worthy candidate for your American Legion Unit Member of the Year.”- Mary Lou Schwartz, Spink County Historical Society/Past Redfield High School Teacher
“Since Marlene has retired from teaching, she has donated her time and talent to help with our American Legion Auxiliary programs at school. Her efforts have contributed greatly to the success of each program. Marlene, thank you for all you do.”
- Sandy Durfee, American Legion Auxiliary President
“Marlene has been a member of St. Bernard Parish and Catholic Daughters for many years. She has volunteered at several meals, events and fundraisers that have happened for the Parish and for Catholic Daughters. She is a valuable asset to our Catholic Daughter organization and has taken on a leadership role in the past few years. She has worked to combine some of the Legion Auxiliary and Catholic Daughter projects by supporting soldiers with pillowcases for when they are deployed. She is a blessing to many of our youth in the Parish as she has also volunteered to help teach at Religious Education as a substitute.
What a great honor for her to be nominated for American Legion Auxiliary Unit Member of the Year! She is very deserving of this honor and award.”
- Angela Weller, Secretary/Coordinator of Religious Education, St. Bernard Parish