Hometown: I was born in Tower, Minnesota, and moved to Ely when I was four. I lived there for six years, moved to Starbuck for a year, then to Benson for my high school years. I consider Benson to be my hometown.

When and why did you join UMRA? I think it was in 2005. I retired in 2004. I wanted to stay connected to the University.

What was your very first job? I was a lifeguard at the Benson Swimming Pool.

What was your role at the University when you retired? I answered questions from prospective international students and new students, referring them to visa advisers when necessary. I did a financial aid information session at our semi-annual orientation programs. I helped international students stay in compliance with Immigration and Naturalization Service credit regulations. (They were kinder in those days before the INS was replaced by ICE.) I enjoyed working one-on-one with the students.

You have been involved as a volunteer with UMRA for many years. Please describe your experience and what, to you, are the benefits of volunteering? I was on the UMRA Board for two terms and founded the UMRA Book Club in 2011. I helped international students improve their English as the tutoring coordinator for the University Retirees Volunteer Center. I also tutored with a College of Education program and with Partners in English. I believe that improving their English language skills was undoubtedly helpful to international students. Even more in need were the permanent residents I tutored at our local library. It was good experience for me as I had always wanted to be a teacher, and tutoring is the next best thing.

Beyond UMRA, what is something else you enjoy doing in retirement? The first few years after retiring, I edited papers for students for a nominal fee. After being retired longer, I returned to my old musical and writing interests, singing in a women’s chorus, playing my bassoon in a municipal band, meeting with my writers group, swimming laps at Life Time Fitness, and church activities. And, of course, golf, which I enjoyed greatly with my husband along with camping and fishing. Recently, I joined a Shakespeare reading group, and we have gone through six or seven of his plays. 

If you were competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, what would like your sport to be? I would like to be a figure skater, something I enjoyed doing on my noon hours while working at the U.

What is a fun fact about you we might not know? Besides ice skating, I used to roller skate along East River Road when the international student office was located there.