hall of fame
The Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame was established in 2006 (the 20th anniversary of the Iowa Senior Games) to recognize and honor outstanding athletic performances by our senior athletes, as well as outstanding contributions made to the success of the Iowa Senior Games by athletes, board members, and volunteers.
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What is a “Senior Athlete”? A senior athlete is someone, male or female, who trains and competes in a variety of events with their age-group peers. Many may not feel that they have the capacity or the ability to participate in senior athletics. However, at the senior level there are events that are suitable for almost anyone who has the interest and wants to challenge themselves, through competition with their peers, to improve their health, and have fun. Although, there are many who have been participating for several years, like our Hall of Fame Inductees, a significant number do start in their sixth, seventh, or even eighth decades. The late Dr. George Sheehan, who was the prototype senior athlete, stated that, “the memorable thing is not how you compete against others, but how you compete against yourself”. This creed is held not only by our Hall of Fame Inductees, but also by many of the athletes who train and compete at a senior level.
As is often quoted, “we don’t stop playing because we are old, but we become old because we stop playing.” For these individuals, how true that is.
To nominate a participant for the Iowa Senior Games Hall of Fame, download the Hall of Fame nomination form. Please send Hall of Fame nominations to cole.bollweg@iowagames.org. The deadline to submit your nomination for the 2026 Iowa Senior Games is April 13, 2026.
2026 Inductees
Keith Dahlstrom – Waterville, IA
Kenneth Hopper – Waukee, IA
Neva Weisskopf – Middle Amana, IA
Keith Dahlstrom
Staying active has always called to Keith Dahlstrom (71), of Northeast Iowa. Growing up doing farm chores, wrestling, and running, Keith continued to run his whole life. From 5ks to marathons, running on trails and coaching his children and grandchildren, Keith doesn’t stop moving.
His Senior Games journey began when he saw a flier at 51 years. Since then, he’s a mainstay on the track, and inside the oval, competing in field events and Accuracy and Distance. His favorite memory is competing in the National Games in Des Moines last year, medaling with a 4x100m relay team from multiple states. To date, Keith has earned 54 medals, 29 of which are gold.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Keith!
Kenneth Hopper
Kenneth Hopper read about the Iowa Senior Games at 54 years old. Over the 15 years since, he’s been a constant at the Games.
Ken began his athletic career in high school and maintained good health through three years in the service. After another 20 years in law enforcement, and multiple other physically demanding jobs, Ken found the Senior Games and hasn’t looked back since.
With over 115 medals, you could expect Ken’s favorite
memories at the games to be from the athletic aspect, but they’re not. Ken says that the memories are countless. “For me, it’s just getting together with everybody”. Sharing stories, meeting new people from across the country and getting to see familiar faces again, year after year.
Ken will be competing in 10 events during the 40th
Iowa Senior Games.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Kenneth!
Neva Weisskopf
Growing up in Brooklyn, Iowa, Neva Weisskopf has enjoyed a lifetime of competition. Beginning in her sophomore year of high school at BGM, Neva co-founded the girls track and field team and went on to compete on the McPherson college team. Since then, she hasn’t stopped competing.
Her Senior Games journey began in 2006 – leading to 118 medals to date, 87 of which are gold. Neva’s favorite Senior Games memory was her first nationals – Kentucky, 2007. After a third-place finish in the 200m, her javelin competition was at a completely different venue and had already begun. After a quick drive over and a single practice throw, her adrenaline pushed her to unleash one of her best throws ever, and to a National Senior Games gold medal.
While Neva enjoys the Florida sun in the wintertime now, be sure to congratulate her on her induction at the 2026 Senior Games Track and Field meet, where she’ll be throwing Shotput, Discus and Javelin.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Neva!
Past Winners
2026 Hall of Fame
Keith Dahlstrom – Waterville, IA
Kenneth Hopper – Waukee, IA
Neva Weisskopf – Middle Amana, IA
2025 Hall of Fame
Karen Hansen – Ames, IA
John Hartung – Indianola, IA
2024 Hall of Fame
Ann Hegstrom – De Soto, IA
Tim Phillips – Hiawatha, IA
2023 Hall of Fame
Ellen Johnson – Des Moines, IA
Sam Kranovich – West Des Moines, IA
Tom Kirkwood – Dyersville, IA
2022 Hall of Fame
Debbie Fisk – Waukee, IA
Tom Kealy – Council Bluffs, IA
2021 Hall of Fame
Brad Ewest – Ankeny, IA
LeRoy Law – Des Moines, IA
Rita Ashmead – Ottumwa, IA
Stuart Ashmead – Ottumwa, IA
2020 Hall of Fame
Cindy Hauber – Ames, IA
Mick Barry – Ankeny, IA
2019 Hall of Fame
Cheryl Sander – Ankeny, IA
Frank Perez, Jr. – Des Moines, IA
2018 Hall of Fame
Randy Davis – Altoona, IA
Don Hutchinson – West Des Moines, IA
Greg Palmersheim – Des Moines, IA
2017 Hall of Fame
Ann Shuman – West Des Moines, IA
Joe Bohlke – Des Moines, IA
2016 Hall of Fame
Wayne & Ruth Hugen – Des Moines, IA
Bill Park – Muscatine, IA
Alan Schenck – Clarinda, IA
2015 Hall of Fame
Tarry Cory – Urbandale, IA
Kay Glynn – Hastings, IA
George Long – Urbandale, IA
2014 Hall of Fame
Tony Denkinger – Johnston, IA
Rich Hoidahl – Johnston, IA
Curt McCormick – Des Moines, IA
Otto Welfring – Marshalltown, IA
2013 Hall of Fame
Tom Little – Knoxville, IA
Carroll Marty – Ames, IA
Ron Peterson – Waukee, IA
Mike Schaumburg – West Des Moines, IA
2012 Hall of Fame
Darrell Mitchell – Marshalltown, IA
Denise Miller – Vail, IA
Don Zimmer – West Des Moines, IA
2011 Hall of Fame
Bob Thompson – Des Moines, IA
Nancy Baker – Clive, IA
Lee Kane – Urbandale, IA
2010 Hall of Fame
Judy Chadima – Cedar Rapids, IA
Mel Larson – Ames, IA
Dan Teran – West Des Moines, IA
2009 Hall of Fame
Betty Hoff – Decorah, IA
Fred Bankus – Pella, IA
Ken Clark – Urbandale, IA
2008 Hall of Fame
Frank Brown – Des Moines, IA
Norm Robinson – Knoxville, IA
Dorothy Whitehead – Indianola, IA
2007 Hall of Fame
Dick Fidler – West Des Moines, IA
James Kempkes – Urbandale, IA
Harold McCollum – West Des Moines, IA
Dick Pertzborn – Ankeny, IA
2006 Hall of Fame
Keith Baker – Des Moines, IA
Carolyn Dodd – Des Moines, IA
Ed Failor – West Des Moines, IA
Margaret McCollum – West Des Moines, IA
Adolph Peshke – West Des Moines, IA