During most of these 40 years I felt like I just graduated from high school yesterday. However, reality is quickly setting in!

Following a six year marriage, a divorce and several years of single life once again, Duane and I met at Colonial Acres where he was doing an administrative internship and I was the Director of Nursing. We laugh when we say we met at the nursing home!! We were married in 1982 and moved to Northfield in 1983. We love living in this small community. We are close enough to the Cities to shop or enjoy dinner and a concert once in awhile.

I have had a satisfying career in health care. I became a Registered Nurse in 1972. I worked at Abbott Hospital for three years and then followed my heart into geriatric care. I was Director of Nursing at Colonial Acres for over eleven years. After training dozens of Administrative Interns I decided I would go back to college and get my degree so I could become a Nursing Home Administrator. I graduated from Mankato State University in 1991. Shortly after that I was promoted to CEO of Three Links Care Center in Northfield. I have been there ever since. I enjoy developing new buildings and services to provide care options for the elderly (knowing I will be seeking these services sooner rather than later!!).

Though I was a "non-joiner" in high school, now it seems I belong to everything and I have to be president of most organizations. I currently am the Chair of the Board of the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance. This position finds me traveling across the state and lobbying at the State Capitol more than I like.

In my limited spare time I enjoy gardening, canning, baking and walking. Duane and I look forward to spending time at our condo in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I have three step-daughters ( all of whom are nurses) and five grandchildren. Since we are empty nesters, our dog Alfie, keeps us busy with walks. She is a bichon frisee and loves to be the center of our attention.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Married to Duane; 3 kids; 5 grandkids.