Hometown. I was born on a Naval base in Farragut, Idaho. It was one of two bases in the interior of the U.S. for training Navy servicemen. My growing-up years were in St. Paul, but I also lived in St. Joseph and Chaska during work years.

What was your very first job? Babysitting for 50 cents per hour when I was young. My first paycheck job was as a car hop at Nelson’s, a drive-in and restaurant in St. Paul. Mrs. Nelson liked me because I did things without her asking. Being the oldest of eight kids it was natural for me. I got promoted to inside work quite soon. I was earning money to pay my tuition to go to Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, now Hill-Murray School.

What was your role at the University when you retired? My title was Extension educator. I provided educational programing for adults and youth. 

When and why did you join UMRA? 
A member of UMRA encouraged me to join. “Best bargain in town” is how it was sold. I joined in 2017 and agree with how it was promoted. I love the programs, stimulation, and people I have met as a result of joining.

What drew you to the University of Minnesota?
I was 25 when I started my studies at the University. There was a program called H.E.L.P. [Help Employ Low Income People, now the Student Parent Help Center] and Professor Forrest Harris was instrumental in implementing the program that I joined. I thought being an older student would be more difficult, but it was to my advantage because I was more focused than students coming from high school. I was a single mom and the program enabled me to earn a degree and be a productive member of society. 

My last semester, I was placed in Washington County as an intern with an Extension home economist. That began my career in Extension and a friendship of 50 years.

I received a BS in home economics and an MEd in adult education. I was 50 when I completed my master’s.

You spent your nearly 30-year-long career as an Extension educator in several counties. Please describe the scope of that work.
The purpose of the Extension service is to fulfill the University’s land-grant mission by connecting community needs and University resources. My area of focus was home economics, now called human ecology. Through needs assessment, programming was developed. When developing programs, we relied on University specialists. Sometimes we taught groups, then brought the programs to others in the community; some programs were a series on a specific subject such as financial management, leadership, food and nutrition, or housing; or it could be one to one, via phone or in person. 

Working with a 4-H Club, for example, we received a small grant to develop a community garden for Latino families. About 12 families a year had a plot where they could grow the produce of their choice. The 4-H families and Latino families learned about each other and also grew their own vegetables to supplement their food supply. 

What did you like or value most about your work?
I always hoped I was helping to improve the lives of the people that I served. They taught me and I taught them. Extension has many volunteers, and one person I worked with was an exceptional highlight. She was very interested in family development and was a financial management consultant. She had four children. All were very active in 4-H and she was also. She served on the Scott County Committee as chair for several years. One thing I admired about her was that she never judged people and could work with anyone. In the present times, that would be an asset.

Do you have a favorite place on campus? 
I love the Mall in Minneapolis between Northrop and Coffman Memorial Union. When I was a student, there were always things going on, or you could just relax and enjoy the day. One time I remember very vividly there was a protest against the Vietnam War, and Washington Avenue was closed for days. I also love the libraries where I spent a lot of time. 

What is a fun fact about you we might not know?
When I was a student, my sister (also a student) organized a fundraiser for the people who had been in a devastating flood in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1972. It was held in Coffman Memorial Union and we raised $1,200. That was my first experience as a volunteer, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

In addition to leading the UMRA Host Team, what else do you currently enjoy doing with your time?
I belong to two book clubs and love reading. I’m part of a co-op where we make handmade items and sell them. I’ve been embroidering since I was about 10, and I do craft sewing. Twice a month, I work with seniors and we make greeting cards to sell for 25 cents in their building. I try to help people connect to things they are looking for, and because of working in Extension, I learned about lots of resources, and it is nice to share. I also enjoy outings and entertaining family and friends. I like to keep busy.