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The choices were obvious.

The award for Estherville Business Persons of the Year went to a longstanding business owned by a very civic-minded family - Bob and Rick Houseman of Houseman Oil Company and Riverside Sinclair.

The award for Estherville Citizen of the Year went to a man already acknowledged for his many contributions to the community - George Shadle.

Lyle Hevern, Estherville Industrial Development Corporation president, reviewed the history of Houseman Oil and highlighted the many contributions the Houseman family has made to Estherville.

Houseman Oil was founded in 1946 and Riverside Sinclair came along in 1971. Riverside Sinclair first offered gasohol in 1978 followed by biodiesel in 2000 and E-85 in 2005.

Hevern noted how the Housemans had grown a business started by their parents.

"This year's honoree has grown the business in a fair and honest way, just like their parents started it," Hevern said. "This business has grown by providing Estherville with cutting-edge products. There were a lot of competing businesses in the early years," Hevern said, noting there were 23 service stations in Estherville at one time. "Our honoree is the last surviving full-service service business in Estherville."

"Look at most donation recognition boards in Estherville and you'll see their names and generally close to the top. And they have established the Houseman Memorial Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College," said Hevern.

"Of course, we are talking about Rick and Bob Houseman."

"It's been an honor to be in Estherville and support everybody," said Rick.

Bob echoed Hevern's warm memories of their father, 'Bunny'.

"He was a good supporter of Estherville," Bob said.

Dusty Embree, Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, recognized Shadle as Citizen of the Year.

Embree said Shadle's name showed up in 3,839 results using the digital archives at the Estherville Public Library.

Shadle received his bachelor's and law degree from the University of Iowa. He has served on the Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees.

Shadle's many posts include serving as chair and one of the original creators of the Winter Sports Festival, chamber president, president of the Estherville Junior College Foundation, trustee at the Presbyterian Church, Rotary, member of Jaycees and the Booster Club, member of the Elks, Masonic Lodge member, member of the City of Estherville Board of Adjustment, his work with Boy Scouts and his active role in the Estherville Gold Club. Shadle was also instrumental in Library Square revitalization through the Downtown Development Corporation, city police pension board, RAGBRAI Committee, EIDC president, Housing Committee and Excel! Estherville Oversight Committee and his involvement with NorthStar Agency.

"I would echo the Housemans' remarks that Estherville's a great place to live," Shadle said. "We're one of the lucky ones compared to others that have had terrible economic troubles."

After the awards presentation, Mike Clarken, auctioneer, helped raise funds in a spirited benefit auction.