By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
LYONS, Kan. — The Kansas International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) Association was recently honored by a generous contribution from the Don Goodfellow family of Lyons in honor of Eula Mae Goodfellow that showcases their continued commitment to helping youth explore and learn about the world around them.
The IFYE Exchange Program was founded after World War II as young Americans perceived the need for greater international understanding and cooperation.
U.S. participants live and work with host families in another country, while youth from abroad live with host families in the United States for an equal amount of time.
The IFYE and the host family learn about each other’s culture by participating in the host family’s daily life, promoting “Peace Through Understanding.”
Exchanges have continued for nearly 75 years, and more than 4,000 Americans have lived in 116 countries while a similar number of young people from those nations have come to the U.S.
Upon returning home, IFYE participants share their once-in-a-lifetime experiences with thousands of people in their communities, state, and nation.
Eula Mae was a beloved member of the IFYE family and a shining example of how international travel can be life changing.
The Goodfellow family gift was the catalyst for the Kansas IFYE Association to partner with the Kansas 4-H Foundation to create a $25,000 endowed scholarship to support Kansas youth interested in international travel through 4-H programs for many years to come.
Eula Mae Murrey’s junior year at McPherson College, in 1955 was when she made plans to be a part of the Kansas IFYE, formerly known as International Farm Youth Exchange, program to Belgium.
Two weeks before she left her McPherson County home to go on this trip, Don Goodfellow proposed marriage to her. Don Goodfellow was also leaving for one year with the International Voluntary Service (IVS) program in Iraq.
Eula Mae and Don said a hard goodbye at the train station in Salina, Kan. when he left for orientation in Washington, D.C. A few days later, Eula Mae left for her IFYE experience.
There was surprise when Don Goodfellow met her at the Washington, D.C. train station as she was arriving there for her orientation. It turned out his departure to Iraq had been delayed.
These moments set into motion a lifelong commitment to each other and to travel; two things they both thoroughly enjoyed.
As an IFYE, Eula Mae stayed with four different farm families while in Belgium.
Two families spoke French, and two spoke Flemish. Since she took French in college, she was able to communicate well, and thankfully she was a fast learner, as she picked up enough Flemish language to manage.
One of her host families had milk cows, so she enjoyed bottle feeding the calves and helping the host mother make butter and cheese.
According to the letters she sent to Don Goodfellow in Iraq, she never complained about her harsh living conditions, and always had something positive to say.
Eula Mae returned to Kansas in late 1955 and finished her senior year in one semester at McPherson College prior to Don Goodfellow returning home.
They were married May 17, 1956.
The Goodfellows spent one year in Ohio where Don Goodfellow was the farm manager for Heifer International, Inc.
The opportunity arose that they could ride a freightliner boat as a seagoing cowboy was traveling to Germany with heifers to be distributed for the Heifer Project.
They purchased a Volkswagen car in the U.S., but picked it up from the factory in Germany, and put 8,000 miles on it as they toured all over Europe and visited all of Eula Mae’s host families in Belgium.
After their trip, they loaded the car on the freightliner and shipped it to back stateside for their return to Kansas. The Goodfellows drove the car until their family grew out of it.
Eula Mae and Don Goodfellow through the years stayed in contact with someone from each of her host families, since her memorable and life changing IFYE experience in 1955.
Four of the grandchildren from her host families have visited them in Kansas.
All of her life, Eula Mae was a travel enthusiast and planned many family vacations.
Don and Eula Mae Goodfellow attended many national and international IFYE conferences.
They also participated in mission trips, disaster relief cleanups, group tour vacations around the world, and numerous motorcycle excursions.
Eula Mae was an abundance of energy, never met a stranger, loved to travel, and generously practiced hospitality.
Eula Mae passed away on February 10, 2022.
Survivors include her husband, Don Goodfellow of Lyons, Kan.; daughters Kristen Higgens of Beatrice, Neb. and Teresa (Joel) Miller of St. John, Kan.; as well as 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
If you, or someone you know, has experienced the benefits and rewards of international travel and would like to help future 4-H travelers, an endowed fund has been set up to receive additional contributions through the Kansas 4-H Foundation.
The Kansas 4-H Foundation is located at 1680 Charles Place, Manhattan, Kan. 66502 and be reached at (785) 775-0123.
Donations can also be made at www.kansas4hfoundation.org/give/.
Reference the “Kansas IFYE Association Endowment Fund, #06-4925” in the Designation Section in the “Please add any additional information about your gift” box. This will ensure your tax-deductible gift goes to this new fund.
To learn more about the Kansas IFYE Program and current programs available to 4-H youth ages 12 to 25, visit, www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/.
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