Read more about the 2026 IWHOF Banquet & Induction Ceremony

Banquet Recap

Another long-standing voice of Cresco origins promoting the Norman Borlaug legacy:

Probably unknown to most, Cresco native and U of Minnesota alumnus, Don Henry, and his wife Sandy and son Drew have contributed in various ways to boost awareness of the legacy of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. Borlaug, of course, is a native of Saude and Cresco, and a U of Minnesota alumnus. These Henry efforts have been different from, but complementary to, those legacy promotional activities engaged in by the Cresco-based Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation.

Perhaps most notably, in 2013 the Henrys established at the University of Minnesota the VAALA-HENRY ENDOWMENT (In support of the Norman E. Borlaug Fellowships in International Agriculture). The gift was given in loving memory of Don’s mother Lillian (Vaala) Henry, Vaala aunts Gladys and Melba (Vaala) Robinson, uncles Orin and Harris, and their first cousin Norman who grew up on neighboring farms near Saude. Borlaug was a life-long friend to the Vaalas and in the later years to the Henrys. It was the sale of the beloved Vaala family farm which helped make this gift possible. Over the ensuing years many U of M plant pathology graduate students following in Norman’s footsteps have benefited with much gratitude from this financial support.

For greater detail about the Endowment, and photos of Borlaug and cousins, see a recent article by the ‘U’s Department of Plant Pathology (https://plpa.cfans.umn.edu/ news). What an appropriate time for them to draw attention again to the real, deserving Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and his U of M colleagues, whose achievements may have saved more people’s lives than any in history. And a majority saved were people of color.

Beyond our efforts to honor and support the Borlaug legacy cited in the article, what follows here are additional ones we feel were also significant in that regard. Many are similar to those done in Iowa by the Borlaug-founded World Food Prize Foundation:

– in 2005 persuaded the Pohlad Family Foundation to make a gift of Leon Hesser’s Borlaug biography to every public school and library in Minnesota

– in 2006 persuaded the Minnesota State Department of Education to include Borlaug and the Green Revolution in their revised academic standards for topics to be taught to Minnesota students

– in 2012, conceptualized and successfully lobbied the legislature for passage of an annual Norman Borlaug Day in Minnesota on October 16th

– in 2014, along with others, urged Plant Pathology and the agricultural college to commission the creation of a Borlaug statue for the St. Paul campus and assured that appropriate and accurate honors were inscribed on its base

– in 1999 and 2004 successfully nominated Norman for induction into the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame (of which Don is also an inductee) and the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame (located in Cresco). For the latter, Don had the privilege of introducing Norman at the induction event. See video of Henry and Borlaug (https://www.iowawrestlinghalloffame.com/inductee/dr-norman-borlaug)

It has been a most worthy cause.

Don Henry, PhD, U of M, Sandy Henry, MSU, Drew Henry, Yale

Charles “Chuck” Curtis passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco at the age of 86.

Charles William Curtis was born April 19, 1939, son of Earl C. and Ellen E. (Stopperan) Curtis in Cresco, Iowa.

Chuck attended grade school, K-8 at Fremont #2 west of Kendallville on the Curtis home farm. (The school is still owned by the Curtis family.) Chuck graduated from Cresco High School in 1957. He played football, wrestled, was a member of the National Honor Society, student council and was senior class president. Chuck was also active in FFA all four years, being an officer for two years.

On August 29, 1959, he married Rachel Johnson. They had two children, Kendall J. and Bradley C., they later divorced.

On January 6, 1973, Chuck married Joan E. (Houdek) Armstrong. Joan had two children, Darla J. and Darren W. Together Chuck and Joan also had a son, Chad Earl.

Chuck was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco, being baptized and confirmed there. Also serving several terms on the church council and working on different committees.

After working different jobs, Chuck started farming in 1960. He received the outstanding young farmer award in 1974. In 1978, he started a farm management company and in 1980 became a licensed Realtor, staying active for 40 years. In 2001, he turned the farm operation over to two sons: Kendall and Chad.

Chuck was active in many area boards: nine year board member of the Northeast Iowa Realtors, 50 years as secretary-treasurer of the Kendallville-Eddy Cemetery, 40 year board member of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, severed several years as Fremont Township trustee, Winneshiek County Extension council, Winneshiek County Farm Bureau board, Winneshiek County Pork Producers, HOCA board and the United Shippers Coop board. Chuck was also a long time Cresco Country Club and Wildlife Club member.

Chuck enjoyed woodworking, fishing, camping, golf, bowling, playing cards and watching sports. Chuck and Joan spend several winters in Arizona and Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son in-law Kenneth Stone.

Chuck is survived by his wife Joan E., children: Kendall J. (Maureen) Curtis, Darla J. Stone, Bradley C. (Debra) Curtis, Darren W. (Tracey) Armstrong and Chad Earl (Kristie) Curtis; six grandchildren: Rachel (Jarod) Templeton, Rory (K.B.) Curtis, Mitchell (Haley) Curtis, Morgan (Derek) Newsom, Kyler Curtis and Charley Sue Curtis; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; sister Elaine (Gerry) Steffen; brothers in-law Lynus and Butch (Lavada) Houdek and several nieces and nephews.

Even in retirement, he never really retired from the farm. Always helping out when he could and proud of his family carrying on the farming tradition.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Schmelzer Funeral Homes (formerly Lindstrom) in Cresco, and again one hour prior to services on Thursday morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Kendallville-Eddy Cemetery or HOCA (Howard County Cancer Association).