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Kline closes 43-year career with MU Extension Service
BENTON, Mo. - As a high school freshman, Janet Kline traveled to the University of Missouri campus for a state music contest. Walking across the campus, the small town girl decided this was where she wanted to be.
There would be more trips to the campus for music festivals and each time Kline felt drawn to the University. However, following graduation from high school, Kline realized she needed to be closer to home and opted instead to attend Southeast Missouri State
But sometimes fate steps in.
Looking for a job following college graduation in 1975, a friend told her about an opening with the University of Missouri Extension Program. She applied and was hired.
Recently Kline was honored by her co-workers and others as she brings her career with Extension to an end. But after 43 years, she still is singing the praises of the University of Missouri and the Extension Program.
“When I first started working, we had a logo and it was like the outline of the state of Missouri, with the columns from Columbia in front of that. All around the edge it said the state is the campus,” Kline recalled. “That has stuck with me ever since: The state is the campus.
“Extension is for people who will never step foot on a University campus. They will never see a University campus but they benefit from the University through Extension,” Kline continued. “I think that has been one of the things I have always appreciated about Extension.”
Kline began her career with the University of Missouri Extension as a home economist. She provided information on nutrition and health and worked with programs for families along with agriculture and communities. As part of her duties she assisted with 4-H programs in the region and youth development.
After 20 years with the Extension she was named a regional director, working with Extension and University personnel across 18 counties - from Perryville across to Fredericktown, down to VanBuren and from the Mississippi River to Eminence and Oregon County.
“Some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been are in this region, beautiful but different,” said Kline. “You have the flatlands and the Delta land here. Because some of my counties are actually in the Ozarks, you have the hill country all the way to the northlands that you find in Perry County with its caves and cliffs and bluffs. So it is a beautiful place.”
As regional director, Kline explained she was charged with the responsibility of working with all the personnel and all of the University employees that are assigned to the region. She worked with each county extension council on their budget and programs often serving as a liaison in the local communities to the University administration.
Her co-workers joked Kline could always be depended on to bring soil samples from various counties to the Delta Center at Portageville to be analyzed. Her monthly trips to the University campus at Columbia often had her bringing back needed supplies as well.
Tina Clark with the University of Missouri Delta Center recalled those deliveries of soil samples and supplies.
“She traveled far and often late at night.” Clark said. “She did a lot, not only for the Delta Center bur for area farmers and area citizens. I admire her.”
According to Clark, Kline was always professional on the job.
“She had a very good relationship with her co-workers, a good relationship with everyone at the Delta Center. She treated everyone fairly. I have never seen Janet get mad; she never got angry. She never had a negative remark about anything or anyone,” Clark added.
Sarah Denkler, who will serve as interim regional director, praised Kline’s management skills. “She tells you what your job is and then she lets you go so you can do your job,” Denkler said. “If you need help, if you have questions, she is right there to give you the advice or information you need and then she just puts you back out on the job. So she is very easy to work with and very encouraging.”
Sometimes bringing groups together can be difficult but Denkler said Kline could be depended on to keep things under control.
“She just takes it in stride. She is really good at keeping things on an even keel,” Denkler added.
She went on to describe Kline’s 43-year career with the Extension Service as a real accomplishment. Denkler credited Kline keeping the region moving forward.
“We have had a lot of changes in employees and a lot of ups and downs with the University. She has always made us feel a little more secure in our jobs and that there will be a tomorrow and to just keep pushing on. That is a huge accomplishment,” Denkler said. “We are going to miss her, we are really going to miss her. She has been a good inspiration.”
Kline’s efforts were noticed. The Home Economics Department of Southeast Missouri State presented her with the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1987. In 1994 she received the Meritorious Award from the University of Missouri.
A proclamation presented by 149th District State Rep. Don Rone described Kline as “known, admired, and respected for her helpful attitude and the friendly manner in which she has always greeted people in and around the community, a unique quality that will be greatly missed by many.”
With her retirement, Kline plans on spending lots of time with her husband, Sterl, daughter, Rachel, and grandson Jaxon. She said some house cleaning is on her list, too.
A member of the Miner Baptist Church, she already is a Ladies Ministry volunteer and intends to look for more volunteer opportunities.
“Something that is meaningful to me. I’m not sure what that will be and I haven’t really looked because I haven’t had time to look,” said Kline, with a laugh. “Now I will have time.”
She credits the people she has met and worked with over the past 43 years with making her career memorable. Many of those people have become good friends.
“Some were employees and some of them were volunteers through Extension Councils or 4-H volunteers. Lots of different people,” she said. “The work is about the people, the people that you work with and the people that you serve and try to assist. This job is about people”
