Mid-Missouri seniors awarded for service

Sharon Naught was one of the winners of the Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award and was recognized Monday in the Capitol Rotunda. She was presented proclamations from Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, at right, and Sen. Mike Kehoe.
Sharon Naught was one of the winners of the Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award and was recognized Monday in the Capitol Rotunda. She was presented proclamations from Lt. Gov. Mike Parson, at right, and Sen. Mike Kehoe.

There was a record number of winners for the Lieutenant Governor's Senior Service Award in 2018.

Lt. Gov. Mike Parson presented the awards Monday at the Capitol.

The award promotes and highlights the positive accomplishments Missouri's senior residents provide to their local communities. This year, 90 winners were chosen from 152 nominees, representing 77 counties across Missouri.

Award winners from Mid-Missouri included:

  • Sharon Naught, of Jefferson City, who with her family, has worked on numerous community outreach programs. She is involved with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce at many levels, Relay for Life and Jefferson City's annual tribute to veterans - Operation Bugle Boy, serving on the executive committee. Naught helped to establish the annual BOOST BBQ 20 years ago, which raises money each August to benefit local cancer patients. Naught was nominated by state Sen. Mike Kehoe, R- Jefferson City.
  • Carolyn Koenigsfeld, of Linn, who has been an active volunteer for many 4-H clubs within Osage County and was inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame due to her countless hours of service to the youth of Missouri. She has guided her children and grandchildren to be successful in 4-H. Koenigsfeld also provides volunteer service to her home church - St. George Catholic Church in Linn. Koenigsfeld was nominated by the State President of Missouri 4-H-Mitchell Moon.
  • Morris Burger, of California, a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1957-64. He's served as president of Burgers' Smokehouse and has held numerous positions at the United Church of Christ in California. Burger has been president/board chair of various foundations, councils, and committees in Moniteau County. In 2013, he was selected as McAlester Society MU School of Medicine and Health Care "50 Missourians You Should Know" by Ingram's Kansas City Business Magazine. Burger was nominated by state Rep. Sara Walsh, R-Ashland.
  • Carmen Brandt, of Fulton, director of the Center for Women's Ministry, president of the George Washington Carver Cultural Center, president of the Fulton Human Rights Commission, superintendent of Sunday schools at Calvary Baptist Church, a member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Board, a member of Celia the Slave Commemorative Board, and youth reading coordinator at Guiding Light Missionary Baptist Church of Christ. Brandt was nominated by Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton.