News Release

GOSHEN — Returning for 2025, the Senior Queen Pageant will take center stage at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair to recognize outstanding local women, age 60 and older, who demonstrate leadership, community involvement and a continued commitment to service.

The Senior Queen Pageant highlights the contributions of older women across Elkhart County and offers a unique opportunity to celebrate their experiences, compassion and impacts. Contestants are evaluated on personality, poise and dedication to their communities, with a focus on volunteerism and civic engagement.

This year’s contestants represent a wide range of backgrounds, including education, faith leadership, community service, public service, youth development, the arts and small business. Their shared dedication to service reflects the values of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair and its commitment to honoring individuals, who give back to the community in meaningful ways.

The 2025 Senior Queen candidates include:

Sherry Weaver, Ms. Weaver Insurance, Goshen, is the widow of Lee Weaver, Nappanee. She stays busy with scrapbooking, cardmaking, teaching, baking, and gardening. She enjoys participating in Purdue Extension Homemaker events. She currently spends some of her spare time substitute teaching and leading various activities at her church.

Barbara Bute, Ms. Iron Horse Ranch, Elkhart, is married to Allen. She enjoys being a neighborhood “mom” and leader to her Happy Clovers 4-H Club for 35 years. Teaching kids is her greatest passion. She also has a free library set up in her front yard for kids and adults to come and exchange books so she can spread the joy of reading. Bute enjoys exercising for physical therapy, which she needs due to Parkinson’s disease. She also enjoys fishing, visiting the Elkhart County Fair and reading books.

Melodie Wise, Ms. The Office Barn, Goshen, has been married to Dalton. She enjoys working part time for the city of Elkhart, gardening, cooking and doing crafts. Among the things she enjoys are kayaking, walking trails, traveling and sending time at their lake property. She recently became involved with Church Community Services, volunteering in its Soup of Success program.

Caroline Troyer

Teresa Wells, Ms. Cross Hart Farm, Bremen, enjoys horseback riding, sewing and gardening. She even made the suit she will be wearing for the pageant judging. Her professional background includes years as a school bus driver and special needs bus monitor for WaNee and Warsaw schools, as well as various retail positions. She contributes to In the Bend, a chapter of Quilts of Valor, helping to create and present quilts to veterans.

Caroline Troyer, Ms. JoJo’s Pretzels, Middlebury, has many interests, such as sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, drawing, painting, plastic canvas, scrapbooking and diamond art. She is a member of the Homemakers of Today. She is a member of the senior program at the Salvation Army.

Louanne Gressman-Dunn, Ms. Elkhart County Extension Homemakers, Goshen, is married to Jeffrey. She is an ordained minister and served as a senior pastor of churches in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin before retiring and moving to Goshen. She enjoys all kinds of needlework, music, entertaining, travel and camping. She is a member of Elkhart County Extension Homemakers, recently serving as county vice-president and president, and currently as county advisor and membership chair. She is an active member of LifePoint Church, Goshen.

Jeanne Dilorenzo, Ms. Elkhart County 4-H Dog Club, Elkhart, is married to Rick. She has served on the 4-H Dog Club as a trainer and leader for 44 years. She is semi-retired from her career as a dog groomer. In addition to her involvement with the 4-H program, she enjoys training her dog, Phoenix.

Louanne Gressman-Dunn

Rosanne Markham, Ms. Wellington & Weddell Eye Care, Goshen, is the wife of the late Dr. David Markham. She works as a senior registered sales associate with Stifel The Elkhart Group. She spends her free time serving her community as a leader for the Elkhart County 4-H Sewing Club, Stitch It Up. This fair marks her 14th year. She is a cancer survivor and gives back by volunteering with Cancer Resources of Elkhart County. She has been a Girl Scout Leader, Camp Fire Kids Leader, and Hippology and Horse Bowl Coach.

Carol Reed, Ms. Fairfield Pioneers Club, Goshen, is married to Clarence. She stays busy with making cards, Bible study, camping and hanging out with her grandchildren. She was second runner-up in the 2024 Senior Queen contest. She has also been a 4-H Project Leader for Fairfield Pioneers for over 20 years. She is a member of Grace Community Church where she volunteers in the kids ministry check-in area, the greeting team, Training Camp leader, and helping in the store.

Lisa Giddens, Ms. T’s New You Hair Salon, Goshen, is employed by Mondelez International as a sales representative. She loves to bake and trying new recipes. Her interests include taking care of her many orchids, floral arranging and learning to run her dog, Phoebe, in agility and volunteers with the 4-H Dog Club.

The Senior Queen will be crowned during a special ceremony at the fair and will represent the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Senior Queen Program at community events throughout the year.

For more information, visit 4HFair.org/seniorqueen.