Charles Mix Republican Women

04/08/2022

This site is discontinued. Please refer to South Central Republican Women page.

04/05/2022

04/05/2022

A lovely lady. So happy to know her.

Congratulations to our April SDFRW Spotlight-Nancy Stewart!

Name: Nancy Stewart

Hometown: Aberdeen, SD graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1990

Local SDRW Club: Brown County Republican Women

Where were you born? Aberdeen, SD
I left Aberdeen in 1992 and was a nanny in northern suburbs in Chicago, a wealthy part of town. The man I worked for drove an Oscar Meyer Cadillac. I drove by Michael Jordan's house every on my way to work. Once I saw Mike Ditka at the gas station.

What is your occupation: I am a wife, mom and home school mom. Also a political ju**ie

Why do you belong to SDFRW: Honestly, Heidi got me involved. I went to first meeting and loved it…just loved the women and before you know it I was first vice president. Originally, I didn’t think I had the time. But have found that I love it as we are all conservative women stable, strong Christians who work hard and are happy.

Share any special activities and/or committees you have been involved with: McCook county republicans, was on the library board when in Britton Most of my time goes to raising our six children with the oldest being 26 and the youngest 9.. We are also expecting first grandchild. I also teach children’s church,
I received the Donna Fischer Award. This is an award given to a member who steps up and is an asset to the club.

Hobbies and other volunteer organizations: I love to cook, very interested in nutrition and enjoy teaching other women how to create a menu and prepare meals. I spend a lot of time reading aloud to my children. They have heard Tuttle Twins, a twelve book collection of courageous heroes and fundamental principles that schools no longer teach. I would advise all clubs to consider donating to their local schools or library. We have also enjoyed Little House on the Prairie and Caleb’s Lamb.
I read a lot…mostly historical fiction. My favorite books of all time…Anne of Green Gables, Gone With the Wind, and Little Women.

What is one thing about yourself that most people don’t know. I actually have several things. First of all, I was privileged to have Governor Farrar as my neighbor when I lived in Britton. He was an eagle scout as a boy, and during popcorn selling season he would buy from every boy scout who knocked on his door.
Secondly, I was stood up for my senior prom. That’s another story…..
And, I have a yorkie poo named Harriet. My kids would be quite put out if she is not mentioned.

Who is your favorite Republican and why? My Dad who turned me on to Rush Limbaugh. When Rush died, I felt like it was over. I stayed up late at night to watch and listen to him….he loved America and I learned that America was exceptional and why we should love America. He taught me how to think about history, economics, and the constitution.

Favorite quote or Bible verse:
“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”
- Elizabeth Elliott.

SDFRW is a great bunch of ladies who love their country and state and have great meetings that I look forward to at the county and state levels. Feel like a family, no contentious, no control, keeps in mind we are all volunteers. We are active, out there….we get stuff done!!!
Convention was a great experience!

Pray for me!! I am running for school board!

03/26/2022

Gotta love her!

03/15/2022

Congratulations to our March Spotlight: Lou Johnson!

Where were you born? In rural Buffalo County, youngest child of twelve, attended school in Gann Valley (now closed)

What is your occupation: Am retired - worked at VA for 37 years as paralegal.

Why do you belong to SDFRW: - King James Version (KJV) - But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. I have always been involved in politics and the direction of righteous laws in SD and America.

Share any special activities and/or committees you have been involved with: I have always been involved in Bible studies; leading them and leading pre-service prayer as well as teaching on the principles of prayer. I lead prayer walks in the summer and have visited all 66 counties and prayed at every courthouse. We buried the corn/wine and oil and took communion dedicating these memorials to God.

Hobbies and other volunteer organizations: I volunteer at Alpha Center, cleaning their facility once a week and praying for the ministry. I teach Toddlers at Church and have taught children for over 25 years.

What is one thing about yourself that most people don’t know. That while I love people - being alone is not lonely.

Who is your favorite Republican and why? President Trump. I don’t look at the delivery - I look at the message. He loves America. We have a lot of politicians - but very few statesmen. He has courage and not afraid to stand for what is right and what is best for America. He can’t be bought. He reminds me of the history of our Founding Fathers who weren’t afraid to speak the truth and worry about offense later. Truth is truth.

Favorite quote or Bible verse: Philippians 4:13 - KJV - I can do ALL things through Christ WHICH strengthens me. Christ means the anointed one - and it is the anointing which strengthens me.

03/02/2022

SDFRW had a great Legislative Day at our beautiful State Capitol in Pierre, spent with Republican Women from across the state of South Dakota! 🇺🇸

More pictures to come soon!

02/02/2022

Congratulations to our newest Member Spotlight-Rhonda Kopplin Westman!

I was born in Huron, South Dakota. After graduating from Miller High School, I went to Northern State College (then). I entered the field of music education. While in my first year I met and then married the drum major from the band. Who would have thought I would marry someone from Chicago? I finished my music degree at the University of Arizona. My degree is Bachelor of Music, Theory and Composition. I worked in the music field for thirty years, and went on to elementary school education due to a lack of music positions in CA. I taught for another twelve years. After my retirement we moved to Piedmont, SD, where we spend a lot of time watching our ponderosa pine trees grow.

I belong to SDFRW because I belong to the Meade County Rep. Women. When we moved it was a presidential election year, and we knew the U.S. candidates, many of the state candidates, and none of the local. We tried to gauge the candidates by looking at the yard signs. We swore this would never happen again. One unique thing about MCRW is that we have active associates. I think it brings a certain depth to our club.

I also sing with the "guys". The Barbershop Harmony Society allowed women to sing with them, so both Bob and I have joined. We have suffered with the recent shutdowns, but we all truly enjoy singing in harmony.

I also play with the New Horizons Band. This is a group of "gray hairs" who enjoy digging out the old instruments and playing together.

One thing about me that people know all too well is that I am not afraid of the microphone. The only thing worse is if I have the spotlight as well. (Thank you, Sandy Kayde). I will not share what I don't want you to know!

I was president of MCRW for two years, and felt I gave good value to the club. We continue to have strong officers and work well with the Republican Committee in Meade County.

My favorite Republican is probably Condelezza Rice. I feel she is one person who sees the big picture and puts it eloquently when she sees things that seem to be awry.

My favorite quote is from Scott Craig who said, "The people who try to stop you are only putting you on the path that God wants you to follow."

01/27/2022

WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN OUR CLUB! MEMBERSHIP GIVES REPUBLICAN WOMEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THE LOCAL AND STATEWIDE POLITICAL SYSTEM

01/16/2022

Happy anniversary to CMRW. On January 16, 2004 the first organizational meeting was held. Thanks to Cindy Deadrick, Cherry Vandusseldorp, Lois Vandusseldorp and Bernadine Antonsen attendees and organizers. One month later, on Feb 5, 2004, charter members paid $15 dues and approved bylaws. Thank you to these energetic ladies.

01/13/2022

Congrats to CMRW member Faith VanZee

Congratulations to our January Member Spotlight: Faith VanZee!

Ms. Faith VanZee of Platte, South Dakota is a lifelong Republican who was instrumental with starting the Charles Mix Republican Women club. She likes being a part of South Dakota Federation of Republican Women as it is comprised of highly motivated women who are committed to staying current with the issues important to South Dakota and the country. Faith and her husband Gene campaign for their favorite candidates each election year by participating in parades, distributing candidate collateral, and placing signage.

Faith helped the Caring for America human trafficking project by placing posters in the Charles Mix County hot spots and storing the supplies for other members.

Today, she and husband are retired following thirty years of owning and operating a furniture store, Platte Furniture Mart Inc on main street Platte. They have two grown children, Rick lives in Los Angeles and is Director of Operations for the Pacific Harbor Railroad at the Port of Long Beach. Tanya lives in Platte. She works as a flower decorating specialist at Platte Floral. She and husband Rick have given Faith four grandsons and three great grandchildren.

Flower gardening is a passion for Faith and is evident in her impeccable yard. She is a reader, a
baker and especially enjoys making and decorating Christmas cookies.

You may not know, but Faith rode a Harley motorcycle for many years. She and Gene attended the Sturgis Motorcycle rally for 25 years doing volunteer ministry work. They also work together in prison ministry.

Governor Kristi Noem is her favorite Republican because Noem is a strong defender of the Constitution. She also stands for conservative values and is willing to take the “flack” from the mainstream media in their attempt to strip South Dakotans of their individual rights. Faith stated, “She fights for us, and I am so thankful for that.”

Faith is strong in her faith and loves this verse from John 14:6 “Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”