Caledonia Argus

Noel recognized as volunteer of the year

Posted: 4/23/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Rita Noel was in the audience last June when the Founders Days Outstanding Volunteer of the Year was being described.

ìI didnít know who they were talking about,î said Rita.

But when they mentioned a husband named ìJug,î the field narrowed considerably.

Rita has long believed in the importance of volunteer work. When she lived near Freeburg, she volunteered at the elementary school as did most of the other parents. Church was also a place where it was important to volunteer, whether it was to make meals, clean, or teach Sunday School. The tradition of volunteering continued when the Noels moved to rural Caledonia.

Rita knows what it means to be in her ìgolden years.î It means that sheís spent 50 years as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, 50 years as a member of the Catholic Daughters, and in May she and Jug will celebrate their Golden Anniversary.

Rita has been a familiar face at the Red Cross Bloodmobile for about 15 years. She isnít eligible to give blood herself, so she feels itís one way to contribute to the cause. As a cancer survivor, she is active in the American Cancer Society and participates in the Relay for Life and daffodil sale.

Ritaís paid employment is at ABLE, where she has been an advocate for a mentally handicapped individual for almost 19 years.

ìI never thought I could do that kind of work, but Iím still there,î she said.

Rita is known for offering help and support when families experience a tragedy. Her concern for others who are experiencing grief stems from the abundance of it in her own life.

In 1971, her husband lost his sister, Honey Goetzinger, a widow with 12 children, in a car accident. Six weeks later, his parents and an uncle were killed in another car accident. The Noels took several of the Goetzinger children into their home and raised them.

In 1974, they lost their 16 year old son Mike, also in a car accident. A grandson, Alan Hauser, was killed in a 1982 accident at the age of two.

During those difficult times, she said, ìThere was no end to the people coming over. We had a lot done for us over the years.î

Helping out when others experience a tragedy is one way to repay the kindnesses shown to her family, she said. Another example of support was when she had surgery for breast cancer, and many people sent food.

ìWeíve been through a lot, and weíll get through anything,î said Rita.

Family is important

Family is very important, and Rita and Jugís family extends beyond their immediate family to many nieces and nephews, and their children as well. As the family circle grows, the more fun it is, she said.

The Goetzinger family of 12, for example, has grown to 55 people. Her immediate family includes her three children, Sharon (Dean) Frank and children Michael and Sarah; Carol Hauser and children Katelynn and Kristina, and Sue (Joe) Palen and their new baby daughter, Clare Kathryn.

Since Jug and Rita live near the soccer fields, they have become acquainted with many of their grandchildrenís friends and provided chocolate chip cookies and a restroom when needed.

Rita has been a volunteer for Founders Days, and sells popcorn at the play, works at the Founders Day Bingo stand at the fair, and helps out at the smelt fry. When her daughter Sue was on the Founders Day court, she and Jug took the girls to their parades in the summer. She helped with the kiddie parade when that was part of the celebration.

Rita and her Monday coffee group also maintain one of Caledonia Greenís gardens, and she looks forward each year to helping with the decorating of the old school at the fairgrounds in preparation for Christmas.

ìThereís always something you can do for someone,î is Ritaís philosophy.

In June, another outstanding volunteer will be named, and Rita looks forward to letting someone else get some recognition.

ìI hope they let me help pick the next one,î she said.

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