Smiling, waving, and tossing candy, Karen Mixdorf was featured as the 2025 Tama Citizen of the Year during Saturday’s parade. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Started in 1982, the Tama Citizen of the Year award is given to a Tama resident who has contributed positively to the greater community. This year, that honor was bestowed on Karen Mixdorf.

On Friday night inside the fire station, Eric Haughey spoke of the award and its importance.

“I think it’s really important to recognize special people in the community because it takes special people to bring everyone together and keep the community strong,” he said.

Haughey moved to reading out some of Mixdorf’s traits and qualities from several nominations that lead to her winning the award.

“She had plenty of nominations and boy were they lengthy. She does a lot of stuff,” he said with a laugh.

Karen Mixdorf’s speech on Friday night in the fire station provided plenty of thank yous, recognition, and humor for the community which she was recognized for serving. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Listed throughout the seven nomination letters Mixdorf received, her accomplishments and involvements include:

35 years in education

Working as the secretary at Living Faith United Methodist Church

Volunteering with the Mobile Food Pantry

Her extensive work with the Tama County Food Pantry board,

As Rich Jiminez hands her the award last Friday night, Karen Mixdorf stands before the Tama Fire Department accepting the 2025 Tama Citizen of the Year Award. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

The area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Holding a board position with the Kiwanis club

Her work with the American Association of University Women, and

Being a strong leader with the Hometown Action Team and getting the Safe Routes to School project off the ground.

In another lighthearted moment, Haughey joked about when Mixdorf was serving as the dean of students at STC Middle School, referring back to an office interaction between a young Haughey and Mixdorf. Nodding her head and reminiscing, Karen remembered that moment and laughed with the crowd.

In her address, which Mixdorf admitted afterwards she was nervous about, she extended her gratitude.

“I’m really grateful that my friends and neighbors considered me worthy of this honor. It’s really nice to receive. Even though I get to take the plaque home, there’s a lot of people in this room who stand right next to me as I do this different work, they should be awarded as well,” she said.

Mixdorf thanked the Tama fire and EMS workers, expressing gratitude for their assistance with the mobile food pantry that happens once a month at the Living Faith United Methodist Church and inside the firebays during the winter months.

In Shelly Riley’s nomination letter, she brought up Mixdorf’s knack for humor in life, something that was on full display during her acceptance speech as she closed with a joke to continue using her platform for the betterment of the community.

“If you would like to donate to the sidewalk project, I will gladly take your check tonight!” she exclaimed.

Through humor, support, and a bit of effort, Mixdorf looks to better the world around her throughout her everyday life.