News: Greenwood – Amy Humke (Citizen of the Year – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Humke, Wuethrich

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 22 Mar 2023

Longtime Greenwood citizen Amy Humke was recognized for all she has done to make her community a better place by receiving the Citizen of the Year award at the 44th annual Greenwood Chamber of Commerce banquet at the American Legion Wallis-Hinker-Brux Post.

“This year’s Citizen of the Year has always been willing to help support the Greenwood community in any way possible. She did this while taking care of her family and supporting them every day in each of their chosen endeavors. Education is her career and passion; she is always trying to help kids learn and make good decisions to better themselves,” said Trevor Wuethrich during the award presentation at the March 19 banquet.

Humke taught at Thorp Catholic School, Greenwood Elementary School and now Loyal Elementary School for a combined 32 years of teaching. She received the Loyal Teacher of the Year award for 2021-22. She has also been a St. Mary’s Catholic Church lector, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) teacher and religious education director, and a Learn-a-Lot Preschool board member.

Humke graduated from Eau Claire Regis High School and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She started her teaching career, got married and had four children. She was a member of the Thorp, Greenwood-Willard and Neillsville Jaycees over an 18-year span. Through the Jaycees, she engaged in a variety of community service projects.

She has helped with community development in a variety of other ways as well. She helped with Greenwood Dairy Days for about 12 years, participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life program, assisted with the Greenwood American Legion Memorial Day chicken dinners and supported Greenwood athletics with all four of her children. From 2011 to 2022, she chaired the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Santa Visit, making sure area children got into the Christmas spirit.

“The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce would like to deeply thank her for her years of dedication and service to this event. Her help has truly been invaluable,” Wuethrich said.

Humke was congratulated by the Chamber Board of Directors and also a group of 13 family members that came to celebrate.

Humke is married to her husband, Kurt, and they have four adult children: Kassandra, Karson, Aarica and Austen.

“Kurt and I have always thought that service was very important,” said Humke. “And that we live in a community and we wanted to raise our children in this community, and it’s only right that we share it. If we want our children to be raised in a good community, we have to help create a good community. And we did that just a little bit. And I hope we instilled that in our children that, wherever they are, that they create a good community for their future children.”