(Atlantic, IA) – Cass County’s 4-H Youth Action Committee has announced Vickie and Dale as inductees into the 2026 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. The family will be recognized in a program during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair this year.
At the Cass County Fair, certain names are synonymous with a particular project area. For rabbits, that name is Retallic. There has been a Retallic in the superintendent role of the Rabbit department for the last 26 fairs. But long before that, all the way back to the 60s in fact, Dale Retallic began his strong roots with Cass County 4-H, as a proud member of Grove H.O.T 4-H club. As a 4-H exhibitor, Dale was active in many ways in the county, including service projects in the community and on the fairgrounds. Dale completed his record book every year! A highlight of his 4-H career was winning Grand Champion Beef! Dale married another Cass County 4-Her, Vickie Weppler, together they continued to cultivate their roots in Cass County 4-H.
As Dale & Vickie’s family grew, with the addition of their sons Justin and Troy they stayed active in the 4-H program. They were leaders of Grove H.O.T. for 24 years. They helped their sons develop a passion for exhibiting. Fostering in their boys a willingness & desire to give back & serve in the project areas they were passionate about, as seen today with both sons serving as County fair livestock superintendents. Year after year, during the last week of July, the Retallic family’s time has been spent at the Cass County Fairgrounds.
Vickie has dedicated many hours in the Fair Food Stand for over 30 years, Dale and the family were instrumental in helping Grove H.O.T. plan their 100-year anniversary celebration in 2023. On February 22, 2026 Dale suddenly passed away. Through the grief the family still attended and supported Cass County 4-H events. Dale and the family have never missed a fair, but Cass County 4-H and the Fair will sure miss Dale.
Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, County council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.
“We have so many amazing families that contribute to making the best better for Cass County 4-Hers. The Retallic’s are one of those that help in many areas!” said Cass County 4-H Youth Coordinator Katie Bateman. “We are honored to recognize the family special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the 4-H program,”
The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county.
Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”
