The road to my current career was long and winding. I am a Junior High & High School science teacher by education. I did that for 2 years, and then I was a stay at home mom for 16 years. During that time, I held many volunteer positions, including 6 years on the Planning Commission. After that I spent 12 years on the Lakeville City Council. My next job was working at Lakeville Family Dental Centre for 5 years. I finally got to the point where I knew I needed to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life – and that turned out to be working at 360 Communities. I have been here 14 years now, and I love my job. My inspiration is knowing that I am making a difference every day and that my job matters.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to Rick and we have four children – Katie, Jessie, Megan, and Mitchell. We have two grandsons – Carter and Cameron.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Right now, I work for 360 Communities, doing all the fundraising for the organization. I love that I get to make a difference in someone’s life every day. When I hear the stories of the people we help in our community, it makes it all worthwhile. My work has purpose and meaning.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Porterhouse – the steak of course!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Lakeville for 35 years, since 1987, when the population was only 17,000 people!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Frank Schoeben – former [now deceased] owner of the Chart House restaurant.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would take a Mediterranean Cruise or European River Cruise and see as many cities in Europe as I could. The history and sights would be amazing!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The first movie I saw in the theater was the Sound of Music. I remember being in awe. My favorite movie Steel Magnolias – I loved the strong female characters. My favorite TV show is This is Us – it makes me cry.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be grateful every day for all that you have, choose happiness, and be kind to others – you never know what they are going through – everyone has a story.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Yellowstone National Park, Banff National Park, Iceland, and a European Cruise.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
My favorite music is classic rock.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Enggren’s grocery store and Erickson drug store in downtown Lakeville.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
The Pope – I have questions I would like to ask him. Would Porterhouse open for lunch for the Pope? 😊 Or B52’s for a burger would be good, too.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that Lakeville is a big “small” town. People care about the community and those who live here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Retired and taking some of those trips on my bucket list.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I lived in Guam for two years.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Denali National Park in Alaska.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December is my favorite month and Christmas is my favorite holiday. The best single day on the calendar is Thanksgiving – I love cooking all the food.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My grandsons! 😊
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family and the people I work with.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Cinnamon and coffee
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfortable, safe, family.
