HURON –– On Thursday, April 2, Greater Huron Development Corporation and the Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau hosted their annual meetings and award ceremony.
This year’s event had a murder mystery theme to solve before the meal was served. A dessert dash was held, and bids for the desserts totaled $5,000 toward new hunting banners for Huron.
Here are some of the winners:
Distinguished Civic Service Award – Angie Uttecht
The Distinguished Civic Service Award, established in 1962, honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to community service over many years. The 2026 recipient embodies this spirit wholeheartedly: Angie Uttecht.
Angie is the broker and owner of Ace Realty and a proud graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned her BA in Broadcast Journalism. Her influence is felt not only throughout the Huron community but also across the state and nation through her active leadership within the National Association of Realtors and the State association serving as South Dakota Realtor Association President in 2019 and receiving South Dakota Realtor of the Year in 2022.
Angie’s commitment to community leadership has been evident through her extensive involvement in both the Huron Chamber & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Huron Development Corporation. She joined the Chamber Board in 2015 and worked her way through its leadership roles, ultimately serving as President. During her time at the Chamber, GHDC quickly recognized her forward-thinking mindset and the positive momentum she created. She joined their Board in 2017, stepping into leadership roles—including serving as President—and contributing her talents and expertise to numerous committees and task forces.
Her dedication to community well-being is evident at Huron Regional Medical Center as well serving on the Foundation, including serving as its chair before joining the HRMC Board of Directors where Angie currently serves as board chair, guiding the organization with the same thoughtful, steady leadership she is known for.
Beyond formal board service, Angie has been instrumental in efforts that shape and strengthen the Huron community, including the Shop Local campaign, Vote YES for Southtown rezoning campaign, and the Splash Central Waterpark fundraising initiative. She is also highly active within the Huron Board of Realtors, the South Dakota Board of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors, elevating Huron’s presence within the broader real estate profession.
Angie’s passion for her community is unmistakable. She believes in giving back, taking action, and creating meaningful change. She is not a complainer—she is a doer, a leader, and a catalyst who makes Huron a better place simply by being part of it. That spirit of service clearly runs deep in the Uttecht household and was a principle established early in their lives, as witnessed in 2015, Angie’s husband, Dave, received the Dedicated and Distinguished Service Award from the South Dakota Pork Producers Council—an organization he continues to serve actively today.
Angie and her husband, Dave, are proud parents of 2 children, Lauren & her husband Jesse, Andrew and his fiancé Clara and are grandparents to 9-year-old Sutton.
Rising Star Award – Levi Kary
The Rising Star Award honors an emerging leader whose vision, initiative, and dedication are already making a meaningful impact on the community. This individual demonstrates a strong drive to create positive change—whether by launching local, school, or community initiatives; supporting youth programs; or contributing to efforts that strengthen and grow the region.
This award recognizes a person who is not waiting to make a difference someday—they are already doing it. And the 2026 recipient, Levi Kary, is truly doing just that.
Levi serves as the Director of Human Resources at Huron Regional Medical Center. Prior to this role, he served as Director of the HRMC Foundation, raising funds that strengthened hospital services and advanced the organization’s mission. Levi is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Curtis L. Carlson School of Management, earning a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Studies and Marketing in 2007. He later completed a Trust Management Certificate through Dakota Wesleyan University in 2020.
Levi and his wife, Rachel, moved to Huron in 2016, and it did not take long for Levi to begin giving deeply of his time, talents, and leadership—reflecting core values shaped by service, community, faith, and a commitment to building a strong foundation for the next generation.
Levi recently completed his term on the Huron Public Library Board of Directors, including serving as President. He is a long-term supporter of United Way Heartland Region, serving on the Board and as Co-Chair of A Day of Caring for the past 9 years—a role focused on bringing people together to build community. He is a graduate of Leadership Huron, and previously served on the boards of Huron Connect and Habitat for Humanity of Beadle County.
Levi’s life of faith is reflected through his active involvement at Riverview United Methodist Church, where he serves on the Church Lead Team and Finance Committee. He is also a committed member of Huron Kiwanis, supporting youthfocused service projects that strengthen the community. In 2025, Levi began a three-year term on the Huron School District Board of Education and joined the Huron School Foundation Board of Directors.
Levi and his wife, Rachel—who serves Huron High School as a librarian—are proud parents of two children: Leo, age 10, and Connor, age 6.
Huron Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Marilyn Grafsgard
Marilyn has been an incredible part of the Ambassador team since 2024 and currently serves as a Business Services Employment Specialist with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, where she has made an impact for the past four years.
Even with a busy schedule that takes her traveling all across South Dakota meeting with businesses, Marilyn never misses a beat when it comes to supporting the Chamber. Whether it’s a ribbon cutting, a mixer, or connecting with members, she always shows up with a smile and a willingness to help. You can truly count on Marilyn to build relationships and serve as a strong liaison for our Chamber community.
The Ambassador Committee serves as an extension of Chamber staff—providing support, answering questions, and offering valuable insight from our members. This dedicated group of 18 individuals meets monthly and plays a vital role in keeping our Chamber connected and engaged.
In 2025 alone, Ambassadors:
• Hosted 27 ribbon cuttings for new, expanding, and relocating members
• Helped showcase 8 member businesses through mixers
Marilyn embodies everything this group stands for – commitment, connection, and community. Her dedication does not go unnoticed, and the Chamber is so grateful for the energy and passion she brings to the Chamber.
Congratulations on being named our 2025 Ambassador of the Year!
Volunteer of the Year: Carol Huether
This year, we are proud to recognize Carol Huether as our Volunteer of the Year.
Carol served as the school librarian at Madison Elementary School for many years before retiring in 2011. But retirement didn’t slow her down. For the past 15 years, she has continued to volunteer her time at the Madison 2–3 Center office twice a week, faithfully showing up to help staff, support students, and welcome visitors.
Carol’s impact goes far beyond the tasks she helps complete. She greets everyone with a warm smile and joyful spirit that immediately makes people feel welcome. Students often stop by the office just to say hello or share a quick hug, and to many of them, Ms. Carol feels like a grandmother figure.
Her kindness, dependability, and ability to brighten someone’s day truly embody the spirit of volunteerism. Carol’s dedication to serving others has made a lasting impact on the Madison school community and the Huron community as a whole.
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