Submitted Photo North Dakota Township Officers Association President Lee Brandvold, now past president, of Ryder, right, presents the Grassroots Leadership Award for 2025 to Layne O’Neill of Kenmare, left, at the association’s convention in Bismarck in December.

BISMARCK – Layne O’Neill of Kenmare received the Grassroots Leadership Award for 2025 from North Dakota Township Officers Association during the association’s annual convention in Bismarck in December.

O’Neill has been active in the Renville County Township Officers Association for more than 30 years, serving as chairman for several of those years. His service to Stafford Township began in the 1970s and he continues as the current clerk/treasurer.

A Vietnam veteran, O’Neill has served on the Renville County Soil Conservation District for several years and on the board of the local farmers elevator. He serves as the secretary/treasurer of the Rose Hill Cemetery, has been on the Church of the Nazarene board for 40 years and taught teen Sunday School for a dozen years. He has served as the secretary/treasurer of the Kenmare Rural Fire District since 2010.