My name is June Elmes, known to the students as Grandma June.  I grew up

in Long Prairie and graduated from Long Prairie High School.  Then I attended

St. Cloud State University for undergraduate studies and the University of

Minnesota for graduate courses.  I taught business subjects at Osseo High

School and later Long Prairie Grey Eagle High School, retiring in 1999. 

Although I did not attend St. Mary’s School, my great grandmother, Anna

Gossler, my mother, Lorraine Hedin, and all four of my children attended St.

Mary’s School.  Currently, three of my grandchildren (Jacob Lowe, Grade 3;

Kylie Elmes, Kindergarten; and Dylon Lowe, Pre-School) are enrolled. 

You will find me at St. Mary’s on Friday afternoons, working as one of the

volunteer secretaries.  Occasionally, I have also been known to substitute for a

teacher when needed.  I love the atmosphere at St. Mary’s School, especially

the way the staff works together and the values of kindness and good humor

they model so well.  My day never ends without several hugs and expressions

of appreciation, a job benefit which cannot be matched.