Bio: Scheel, Tara - Loyal Citizen of the Year (2021)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Scheel, Lindekugel, Loos

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 14 Apr 2021
 

Written by Dean Lesar

When Tara Scheel’s boss at Vita Plus asked her to represent the company at this year’s Loyal Chamber of Commerce banquet, she didn’t think much of it. That was not an unusual request, so, sure, she said she would attend on April 8.

All still seemed normal until a Chamber Board member began to read off the credentials of the annual Citizen of the Year honoree. As the items were read, Tara said she thought, “Hmm, yeah, I’ve done that.”

Indeed, she had, and she was soon surprised when her name was called as this year’s award recipient. Her children, parents and other family members -- who had been hidden in the wings of the Loyal American Legion -- then walked in to add to the surprise.

Tara has been at the forefront of getting things done in Loyal since she was in high school. In 1987, she was named Miss Loyal during the annual Corn Festival, following in the footsteps of her mother Julie (Lindekugel) Loos, who was crowned Miss Loyal in 1969. From then on, Tara has been involved in whatever she has been able to find time for, and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.

Tara has a keen detail for memories, and recalls that she sold 2,081 Corn Fest buttons the year she was selected to represent the community. Soon after that she began her years of helping, first as a Bible school teacher at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

She then joined the Loyal Jaycees and was involved in projects such as the annual Halloween haunted house. She eventually served on the Corn Fest Committee, organized the Miss Loyal events for several years, and started the Little Miss Loyal program in 1999.

She also worked on the Farm Technology Days committee when the event was held in Loyal in 2005. At St. Anthony, she was on the Fall Fest Committee, taught CCD classes, belonged to the PCCW and helped organize the Christmas programs.

Tara also helped organize the annual Santa Claus visits at the Loyal Area Historical Society’s holiday event, has been involved with the Salvation Army bell-ringing efforts for 16 years, and was an active member of the Loyal PTA/SOLES group when her kids were in elementary school. She also served on the organizing boards of both the Loyal youth football and youth wrestling programs.

Tara attended technical school after graduating from LHS, and then worked at the Marshfield hospital and clinic and for the Loyal Public Schools until she and Chris decided she would stay at home to raise their three children. That’s a decision she said she is glad to have made, as it gave her more time to spend with them. Seven years ago, she rejoined the workforce full-time and is now an administrative associate at Vita Plus.

Tara and Chris were married in 1997. That memory of her’s once again recalls the details of when she was working at the Loyal BP as the checkout girl, and Chris came in to buy a Pepsi, a bag of Lay’s potato chips, and a Hershey bar. They struck up a conversation, and that was the beginning of their relationship. Chris is a welder at RamRod Industries in Spencer.

The Scheels have three children -20-year-old Tyne works for Rand Trucking and lives near Stanley; Cesyn is a senior at Loyal and became the third generation of her family to be named Miss Loyal, in 2019; and Tryn is an eighth-grader at Loyal.

Tara said she was mostly at a loss for words when her name was first called for the Loyal citizen honor. The emotions came when she noticed her family walking in.

“I saw my family and I lost it,” she said.

“I was beyond surprised, honored and humble,” Tara said of the honor. “I just do what I love, giving of my time and dedication to a great community. God willing, I will have many years left to do what I love to do.”

Tara credits her husband and children with giving her the freedom to be a part of Loyal’s community.

“Without them, half of these activities would not be possible,” she said.

Also at the April 8 annual banquet, the Chamber recognized Hair We Are as the 2021 Business of the Year, and presented a plaque to Fourmen’s Farm & Home for recognition as a family-owned business.

Speakers at this year’s banquet were Loyal Splash Pad project organizer Kaila Fitzl, and Jim Mildbrand and Chuck Rueth representing the 2022 Clark County Farm Technology Days Committee. They spoke about continuing plans for the July 12-14, 2022 statewide show at Roehl Acres and Rustic Occasions just southwest of Loyal.

Mildbrand said the committee needs to raise from $300,000-$350,000 for the local funding portion of a total budget that can range from $1.5-$1.9 million. About $72,000 of the local funding total has been raised so far, he said, and efforts to raise more will pick up after this year’s July show in Eau Claire County.

The Loyal Chamber added seven new members in the past year and now has 54 participating members.