Recognized by
Michigan 4-H Youth Development

With support from
Michigan 4-H Foundation

Last updated: June 11, 2008

Retired Social Worker,
Michigan Department of Social Services

“My gateway to college was 4-H.”

As a member of the Crystal Lake 4-H Club Mary Van Allsburg won the 4-H State Award in clothing and went on to compete at the National 4-H Congress. Van Allsburg started her career as a rural teacher and 4-H leader at Girdle Road School, near Rothbury, and at Piper School, near Shelby. Her 4-H scrapbook — a book of certificates, ribbons and photos detailing her 4-H sewing and stitchery projects, trips to 4-H horse shows and her selection as a National 4-H Congress delegate — helped her to receive a 4-H scholarship to MSU. In 1992, she donated her entire 4-H scrapbook to the Michigan 4-H Foundation to be included in the MSU Archives collection. Van Allsburg received a bachelor’s in human ecology and later a master’s in retail of textiles and clothing.

Van Allsburg taught at the University of Wisconsin-Strout, and in West Virginia. She served eight years in MSU Extension; seven for as a home demonstration agent in Menominee, Antrim, Crawford, Kalkaska and Chippewa counties and then a year as extension home economist in Chippewa County. She ended her career as a social worker for the Michigan Department of Social Services. In retirement, Van Allsburg founded Wee Care, a smocking group that sewed infant gowns and donated them to local hospitals. The smocks were then given to families who experience the death of a newborn or stillborn baby. She has attended Elderhostel and other events at Kettunen Center. She is also a member of Muskegon’s Central United Methodist Church.