Article Image Alt Text

Randolph honors community leaders, supporters

RANDOLPH — Denton Kuhl’s 24th birthday netted an extra surprise Sunday night.

Reaching Out Around Randolph (ROAR) awarded him with the 2021 Good Neighbor Award at the conclusion of the Randolph Community Fair.

Kuhl was one of three awardees. Steve Thies was given the Employee of the Year Award, and the Mark and Karla Korth family were named the Outstanding Farm Family.

One thing all three award winners had in common – surprise and appreciation for the recognition.

Kuhl, nominated by Rob and Melissa Engel, was recognized for his volunteer work with youth sports.

“He’s done a great job with teaching young boys not only about sports but also about being responsible, respectful young men,” the Engels said in their nomination. “As one of the young players put it, ‘He’s really nice and he believes in us and teaches us how to do things the right way and how to work hard.’”

Kuhl also volunteers with the TeamMates mentoring program, Randolph Volunteer Fire Department and the Randolph Area Foundation.

The Korth family, nominated by Derek and Kalynda Kuhl, was also recognized for their philanthropic work in the community, from organizing the annual Knights of Columbus fish fry to supporting downtown beautification projects.

“Mark also played a key role to help us make use of extra dirt from the floodplain project by organizing farmers in the community who could make use of it in their operations,” the Kuhls said in their nomination. “They are always willing to lend a helping hand.”

The Korths have a cow-calf herd of more than 400 and raise corn, beans and hay on their farm northeast of Randolph. Their sons, Daniel, Jake and Austin, are involved in the farm operation and Karla owns Karla’s Kurls hair salon in Randolph. Mark Korth was born and raised in Randolph, and he’s been married to Karla for 36 years.

“It makes your heart swell and it’s an awesome feeling, rewarding,” Karla said of the award.

Mark Korth, who started farming right after he graduated from Randolph High School in 1982, said he owes the people of Randolph a debt of gratitude for helping him get his start and find success in farming.

“It’s the people in small communities like this that are willing to do these things to help others. That is what makes Randolph great,” he said. “In a big community, I don’t know if that would have happened.”

Instead of going to college and learning from professors, Korth learned about agriculture from his family and “some great people in our community.”

“I had a fantastic ag advisor who started me on the right path,” Korth said. “I also learned a lot from my parents and my older brother, Mike.”

Korth said the community award is a great way to show appreciation to area residents.

“It’s nice to show that people care,” he said.

Mark Korth was behind the nomination for Steve Thies’ Employee of the Year Award. Thies is a sales representative for KTN Ag Services in Randolph, a Pioneer Hi-Bred seed dealer.

“Many days you see him early in the morning and late into the evening,” Korth said in his nomination. “He’s always willing to go the extra mile to help the customer get the best results ... He’s not only someone his employer can count on, but he’s the kind of guy customers love to see on their farm.”

Thies has worked at KTN Ag Services for the last 15 years and said his co-workers and customers are the best parts of his job.

“I’m just dumbfounded,” he said after winning the award. “I thought we were here for somebody else, not me.”

Stay in the know!

To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or  in the Google Play Store.

Northeast Nebraska News Company

102 W. Main
Hartington NE 68739
402-254-3997