Deena Vietzke: Othello’s 2023 Woman of the Year

OTHELLO — Othello resident and Port of Othello Commissioner Deena Vietzke was awarded the 2023 Woman of the Year honor during the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 23 as recognition for her positive impact on the Othello community. 

“I couldn't even talk. I cried,” Vietzke said. “But I was like, why? Everything I do, I love what I do, and I don't feel like it's anything above and beyond. I guess that's just kind of how I feel … I feel very honored, of course.”

Vietzke said she has lived in Othello for most of her life.

“I was born here, at Othello Community Hospital,” she said. “I moved away with my parents to Issaquah when I was in the third grade but spent every spring break and summer here and then moved back my junior year in high school and lived with my grandparents here.”

Chamber Manager Jackie Wilhelm said Vietzke, who is also a chamber board member, was absent from the meetings during which the board and chamber staff went over the award nominations and was unaware she had been nominated multiple times. 

The chamber surprised the other award winners at their places of work but decided to surprise Vietzke at the banquet, it being the first year the chamber honored both Man of the Year and Woman of the Year instead of one Citizen of the Year. 

Vietzke served as chamber manager three years ago.

“I had just retired and was looking for a part-time job,” she said, “and that really didn't end up being a part-time job.”

Vietzke had worked for decades in accounts payable for McCain Foods and Harvest Fresh Produce. Following her retirement and a year of managing the chamber, Vietzke transitioned to being a board member of the organization.

“I got on because I felt like I had created a really good board,” she said. “I enjoyed what the chamber represented for the city and what they did for the city, I just didn't have enough time or energy (to stay the manager).”

Vietzke said her real passion is for outreach and ministry through the Othello Church of the Nazarene’s Helping Hands and Compassionate Ministries program. Helping Hands runs on donations, and Compassionate Ministries receives outside funding from Adams County. 

“I was very involved with Helping Hands pre-COVID, when we used to do a meal a week, and then kind of slowed down because of COVID,” she said. “I got very involved when I came to work for the church, and that was October of 2022.”

Vietzke was hired as the church’s treasurer, then she began being more involved with Helping Hands, she said. The program had started with providing meals to the homeless but progressed to include rental and utility assistance, emergency housing, organizing the distribution of supplies and hygiene items, and more.

Vietzke talked about her favorite aspect of working with Helping Hands.

“Advocating for people. Teaching or helping them, giving them a hand up, not a handout. We do our very best not to enable,” she said. “‘Empowering people to lead healthy lives’ is our motto … I think in the past there was enabling, which we're trying to get away from.”

Vietzke said her passion for Helping Hands and outreach is related to her role as a port commissioner as well. 

“I'm really passionate about your money,” she said. “You're paying taxes here and that's where I really feel like I am a pretty good port commissioner because I do think about the money and how it's spent and how to spend it correctly.”

Vietzke was first appointed as port commissioner to fill a vacancy about four years ago, she said. The term ended after two years, after which she ran for the position and was elected for another term, this time for six years. 

Working behind the scenes is Vietzke’s preferred mode of operating, she said. 

“I was kind of embarrassed when they called my name (at the banquet),” she said. “I don’t even know if I said thank you.”

Wilhelm said Vietzke’s nominations also mentioned her work fostering dogs. Vietzke said she was formerly the Adams County Pet Rescue Board vice president. She now serves on the Sandhill Crane Festival Board and has served on several other boards for community organizations since she retired, she said.

Vietzke said she loves the small-town feel of Othello, her church community and the amount of support she finds in the Othello community.

“I love this town,” she said. “I really do.”

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com. Download the Columbia Basin Herald app on iOS and Android.

    Othello’s 2023 Woman of the Year and Port of Othello Commissioner Deena Vietzke, right, stands with Commissioner Gary Weaver, Port Executive Director Chris Faix and former Commissioner Kenny Schutte to celebrate Schutte’s 24 years with the port.
  

    Othello Port Commissioner Deena Vietzke, left middle, honored as the 2023 Woman of the Year by the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce during its Annual Awards Banquet in February, discusses port business during an August meeting.