The Lassen County Fair has announced that long-time Honey Lake Valley resident Kathryn Wemple will be honored today as the fair’s 2025 Old Timer of the Year.
Kathryn Wemple was nominated by her niece, Dena Nelson, who wrote a little about her aunt.
“She was born and raised in Lassen County. She grew up on a ranch north of Litchfield and went on to marry a cattle rancher. She raised 3 ranch kids.”
“Unfortunately,” says Nelson, “her middle child passed from cancer. Both boys still continue to work the Wemple Ranch to this day alongside Auntie Kay.”
“Kathryn is a very hard-working, caring, tough lady. For many, many years, she would make breakfast for her crews, pack lunches, and then get a horse back and ride all day long, moving cattle. Then come home, prepare dinner, do chores, and do it all over again the next day. She also prepared large lunches for branding crews and haying crews. She is the type of lady who jumped in a tractor to help the hay crew, or was always horseback with you all day long. She never took a day off. The only way she wasn’t a long side of you was if she had bookwork to tend to.”
“Kathryn loves Lassen County and her little community of Milford. She is always helping a neighbor in need. Whether they needed a ride to Reno, for doctor’s appointments, shopping, catch a flight or in need of a home-cooked meal, etc., she was always willing and ready to help.
“Kathryn has also employed several neighborhood kids, and adults over the years. Whether they needed money for 4-H, or FFA projects. A car, etc. Or just wanted to learn the way of ranch life, she would help them reach their goals.
“She was very involved in her kids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews when they were junior rodeoing, high school rodeo, college rodeo; and then pro rodeo. The kids and adults always had a place to sleep. A hot meal and a shower. You would always find her watching them practice roping or riding broncs in their arena. Always a helping hand if someone got injured.
“Kathryn is and always has been a huge supporter of the Lassen County Fair. Still to this day, she purchases several animals at the livestock auction. She has been known to buy several different teams in the ranchers’ day. Kathryn has supported many of the local kids in baseball, basketball etc.
“She tries to contribute to any local business she possibly can. Hires local trucking when in need to haul cattle or hay for her ranch. Kathryn still checks the pivots on the ranch, jumps in a tractor when short a man. Packs her own wood. Shoots at pesky geese eating seeds from crops. She is a very hard-working, loving, and dedicated lady.”
Wemple will be honored, along with the Parade Grand Marshals, at a special luncheon today at 11:00a.m. in the grandstand at the fairgrounds.
The Old Timer of the Year award is judged for kindness and service to our community. The nominee must be at least 60 years old and have lived in Lassen County for at least 10 years.
The award honors a senior who has demonstrated outstanding volunteerism, leadership, helping, teaching, mentoring, or advocating for others in Lassen County. It is based on dedication, overarching commitment, and demonstrated impact on those served.
