She taught countless lessons on nutrition, answered listener questions during live radio call-in programs, annually coordinated the Home and Family Arts Department at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, served as a 4-H goat club leader for over 20 years, shared the art of quilt making with hundreds, and wrote a weekly column for The Farmer's Exchange and other area publications.
These were some of the accomplishments of Mary Ann Lienhart Cross, who retired last month after more than four decades as a Purdue Extension educator in Elkhart County.
But, as a health and human science educator, perhaps Cross' greatest contribution was her willingness to mentor women and young 4-H'ers.
"That's one of the real beauties of being an Extension educator. You get to watch (people) grow and develop, especially a lot of women that maybe don't feel that they can do something," Cross said, reflecting on her 44 years of work in Elkhart County.
When Cross spotted potential in a young woman, she was quick to provide encouragement and feed her with positive thinking. As that person began rising to a new level, Cross felt privileged to facilitate her transformation and watch the young homemaker blossom.
Debbie George of Wakarusa said she has worked hand-in-hand with Cross on many projects over the years. She said she become involved with the Extension Homemakers Assn. and eventually served as an officer and fashion show chairman, with Cross encouraging her at every step.
As a youth, George exhibited 4-H livestock in what is now the Home and Family Arts Bldg. at the fairgrounds. She said Cross was instrumental in the purchase and remodeling of that facility, adding that Cross and her late husband Mike helped furnish the building with glass cases and shelves that display all of the foods, crafts and other fair projects, along with a new ceiling and fans.
George went on to serve six years on the Extension board and sits on the fair board this year due to her role as director of the Home and Family Arts Department.
She estimates that Cross has mentored over 300 Extension Homemakers in Elkhart County during her nearly 45 years as an Extension educator.
A Lake County native, Cross is the daughter of a federal meat inspector and a registered nurse. She attended Purdue University, graduating in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in vocational consumer and family science and finishing in 1982 with a master's degree in instructional development. She and Mike were married in 1978.
She began her Extension career—all 44 years spent in Elkhart County—as a 4-H youth educator. After a few years working with youths, she transitioned into a position focused on consumers. She often partnered with local media—TV, radio and newspapers—to extend her reach beyond Elkhart County. In the 1980s, she appeared with Channel 28 TV host Bill Darwin to talk about recipes and nutrition information. She also answered listener questions on WTRC's Saturday morning call-in show.
For decades, Cross penned a weekly food and nutrition column that appeared in the Exchange and other local papers.
Cross developed a love for sewing at an early age, thanks to her grandmother. She learned to make quilts using leftover pieces from other sewing projects.
During her career as an Extension educator, she shared this passion with hundreds of women who became involved with the Extension Homemakers organization. She said this also led to her becoming involved with the Elkhart County quilt gardens, one of those being located at the fairgrounds.
One year, she traveled to Indianapolis to promote the quilt gardens on a television show. Mike helped her construct a miniature quilt garden using potted plants to draw viewers to Elkhart County.
Referring to quilts, Cross said, "It's the fabric, it's the color, it's the kindred spirit. It's a piece that really unites. I also just like to sew."
She added she considers herself to be "more of a piecer than a quilter."
Noting that Elkhart County residents have a never-ending passion for the fair, Debbie George said Mary Ann and Mike often led the way. They served as 4-H goat club leaders for many years and modeled the type of volunteerism that sets the Elkhart County 4-H Fair apart from others.
"I put my heart into it, but the people really believe in Extension in this county and value it," Cross said. "They value education and that whole sense of volunteerism. That's why we have the Extension programming that we do. It's why our county government is successful, and it's why we have the fair that we do."
Over the years, Cross became a strong advocate for Purdue Extension programs and often went to county commissioner meetings to inform county officials "about what Extension does."
Cross' contributions have been noticed and affirmed by Purdue University. In 2014, she received the Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence, which is given annually to a member of Purdue University's faculty or staff who has displayed outstanding educational service to rural Indiana.
Looking back at her career, Cross said she will miss working with folks like Debbie George and others with whom she has either helped or mentored over the years.
With a rash of cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic, she hopes the 2020 Elkhart County 4-H Fair doesn't become one of them. Her best guess is that the late July fair will be held but with some changes, perhaps showing livestock in outdoor arenas.
The county fair is important in Elkhart County, and she said the fair is one way that rural residents connect with each other. This year's President's Baked Item in the Home and Family Arts Department is Dutch apple pie.
Her future plans include working on some projects at home and sewing quilts for the "Quilts of Valor" project. Her grandfather was a World War I veteran and her father served in World War II and Korea. She is also looking forward to attending her final national conference of the National Extension Assn. of Consumer and Family Sciences. Cross served as president of that organization in 2010.