Don and Mary Klauke, a farm family from Dorchester, Iowa and the Diocese of Dubuque, were awarded the 2005 Isidore and Maria Award at the 82nd anniversary celebration of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

This Catholic farm couple were given a print of the icon of the patron saints of rural life, St. Isidore and his wife, St. Maria. Don and Mary Klauke have been Rural Life Directors for the Archdiocese of Dubuque and long-time members of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, providing courageous leadership and serving their faith convictions on behalf of social justice and support of the family farm.

"The Isidore and Maria Award honors a rural couple who exemplify fidelity to a dream, a vocation and a love which combines family, integrity, stewardship and religion," said Brother David G. Andrews, CSC, executive director of the NCRLC. "This is what the saints Isidore and Maria represent, shared fidelity to a dream. We could find no better contemporary exemplars of Isidore and Maria for 2005 than Don and Mary Klauke," said Br. Andrews.

This year’s award also commemorates the life of Donald F. Klauke, 68, who died July 16, 2005, at his home after a battle with brain cancer. Don was active in the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, Churches’ Center for Land and People, Land Stewardship Project, Northeast Iowa Community Action Board, and the Iowa Catholic Conference Social Concerns Committee. Mary continues the efforts of the Archdiocese on behalf of rural life. Throughout their life together, they have been solid witnesses for justice and peace.

In addition to his wife Mary, Don's survivors include his children, Fred and Jana Klauke of Davenport, Iowa, and Therese Klauke and Allen Vang of Decorah, Iowa.


Saints Isidore and Maria are the patron saints of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. St. Isidore was born in Madrid, Spain about the year 1110. From childhood he worked as a farm hand on an estate outside of Madrid. He and Maria were prayerful, devoted to religion, loved the earth, animals, and their community. The earthly remains of the couple are found over the main altar in the cathedral of St. Isidore in Madrid.

"How appropriate it is that the Klauke's, who are devoted farmers, parents, and community leaders, be recognized as "partners with God" giving witness to love of the earth, each other, their community and their God," said Br. Andrews. "We are happy to celebrate this commitment on our 82nd anniversary as the National Catholic Rural Life Conference."