A Family Tradition: Four Generations of Women on East Campus
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus has been a cornerstone of agricultural education for more than a century. For Emma Saathoff’s family, it has become a cherished tradition. Spanning four generations, Emma’s great-grandmother Velma (Reigle) Rickertsen, grandmother Connie (Rickertsen) Francis-Wiens, mother Gail (Francis) Saathoff, and Emma have all walked the paths of East Campus, each contributing to its legacy in unique ways.
This is the story of her family’s connection to East Campus, starting with Velma’s trailblazing journey in the 1930s.
Velma’s Story: A Trailblazer for Women in Agriculture
Velma (Reigle) Rickertsen grew up on a farm near Red Cloud, Nebraska, where her family farmed using horses rather than tractors. She graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1935 and began her career as a country schoolteacher using a high school normal training permit. However, the permit allowed only three years of teaching without further education, prompting Velma to attend the University of Nebraska in 1938.
To finance her education, she and her twin sister, Zelma, made an agreement: Zelma would work and help pay for Velma’s college expenses, and then Velma would do the same for Zelma. This compromise exemplified their dedication to education and each other. During her time at the university, Velma majored in home economics. She lived in private homes, performing light housekeeping in exchange for room and board, which further highlighted her determination and resourcefulness.
When World War II struck in 1939, men began leaving farms to join the armed forces, and women across the country were called to step into roles traditionally held by men, including operating farm machinery. At the University of Nebraska, the Department of Agricultural Engineering launched a tractor training course specifically for women, teaching them the skills necessary to manage mechanized farming, a course Velma participated in.
Instructors equipped these “Tractorettes” with the knowledge and confidence to contribute to the war effort through farm work. This initiative was part of a nationwide movement that mobilized women to replace men in agricultural roles, ensuring the country’s food production could continue. For a young woman who had grown up on a farm that relied on horses, this was a groundbreaking moment.
After graduating in 1942, Velma became the county home extension agent in Lexington, Nebraska (Dawson County). While her time as an extension agent lasted only a year and a half, her impact extended far beyond that role. She spent her life teaching skills she learned in college to her children and the next generation of young people as a 4-H leader, leaving a lasting legacy of education and service.
Connie’s Story: A Lifelong Advocate for Education and Extension
Velma’s legacy of education and service inspired her daughter, Connie (Rickertsen) Francis-Wiens, to follow in her footsteps. Connie attended UNL from 1965 to 1969, majoring in home economics education and extension. She lived in Love Memorial Hall during her time on East Campus and has fond memories of friendships and experiences she gained there. After graduating, she dedicated 35 years to Nebraska Extension, working in five different locations across the state. Though her path mirrored her mothers in many ways, Connie’s career expanded the family’s contributions to Nebraska agriculture and community education.
Gail’s Story: From East Campus to Empowering Classrooms
A generation later, Gail (Francis) Saathoff also attended UNL, following the education path from 1994 to 1998. Like her mother, Connie, she lived in Love Memorial Hall for her first two years of college. During her time at UNL, Gail worked at the front desk of Burr Hall of East Campus, where she met her husband, Doug, who also lived in Burr Hall. After graduation, she and Doug returned to his family’s farm near Hastings, Nebraska. Gail is now in her 26th year of teaching at Doniphan-Trumbull Public Schools. Her time at UNL has left a lasting impact on her, providing her with lifelong friendships and cherished memories of East Campus, which she holds dear to this day.
Emma’s Story: Carrying on the Family Tradition
As a junior at UNL majoring in agricultural and environmental sciences communication, Emma is proud to continue this four-generation legacy. Being part of the CASNR family on East Campus feels like home. The familiar faces, tight-knit community, and rich history inspire her every day. After graduating college, Emma hopes to pursue a career in the ag industry, making a positive difference through her work just like the rest of her family.
As Emma walks the same paths that Velma once did, she is reminded that her legacy, and the legacy of the women in her family, is one of resilience and inspiration. It is her hope that future generations will continue to find their place on East Campus and add their chapters to this ongoing story.
