I was born and raised in Minneapolis, the seventh of nine children.  I attended school at St. Charles Borromeo and then St. Anthony of Padua High School.  I graduated from the University of Minnesota and started teaching special education at Long Prairie Elementary School in 1971.  Later, I taught third grade until I switched to fourth grade.  I retired from full-time teaching in 2007.

My son, Austin, is 16 and a sophomore at Grey Eagle Long Prairie High School.  My 100 year-old aunt, Margaret, lives with us.

I enjoy music, reading, gardening, snowshoeing, hiking, and camping.  My hobbies include collecting dolls, penguins, and books by Pearl Buck.