Mother's Day 2018

Mother’s

Happy

Friday, May 11, 2018

Day

Deanna Lundgren

is The Brookings Register’s Mother of the Year Pages 2&3

Mother/Child Look-Alike Contest Pages 3-7

2 - Happy Mother’s Day | Friday, May 11, 2018

Deanna Lundgren is the Register’s 2018 Mother of the Year

Devoted mother still surprises her family

By Eric Sandbulte The Brookings Register

ELKTON – An involved mother is an impactful mother, and the same is true of Deanna Lundgren, The Brookings Register’s Mother of the Year.

Through the years, Lundgren has been a devoted mother, teacher and citizen, engaging her children, students and community at every chance.

As her daughter, Georgianna Jensen, put it, “When you think she’s done everything, she goes to the next thing.”

She taught for 45 years at various schools, and more than 40 years were spent at different positions in Elkton schools. She started out teaching fourth and fifth grade at other schools. When she arrived at Elkton, where she’s made her home, she began with seventh- and eighth-grade math and science, then first grade and later, kindergarten.

She started the Girl Scouts in Elkton and served as Girl Scout leader. She even served while her daughter was involved in it.

The Brookings Register’s 2018 Mother of the Year, Deanna Lundgren, is pictured, center, next to her late Lundgren didn’t stop at lending a hand husband, Dennis, and surrounded by her two sons, daughter and their families. with the Girl Scouts, though; she was a Cub Scout den leader for her two sons, Jeremy she always welcomed people over,” Jensen from the Lundgren household, and they did said. “She always had snacks for all the neigh- their part to help care for their young grandand Scott. children while Lundgren taught in school.

“I think it was awesome to have her. All the borhood kids.”

Lundgren’s heart for kids has meant that But as they got older, Lundgren pitched in to kids kind of just took her in as a mom. She had that motherly personality. And even hav- she’s kept busy in retirement. Although she ensure they could stay at their home and not ing her at school, you always knew you could retired from teaching, when she was asked if go into a nursing home. During those years, she’d like to do some part-time teaching, she Lundgren was able to go home at noon, feed rely on her to be there,” Jensen said. accepted. them lunch and later serve supper and help H e r She’s done them get ready for bed. motherly that for This same level of care was present during touch has She had that motherly personality.

And the past her late husband Dennis’ bout with cancer. always 10 years.

“He was diagnosed in October, and she was even having her at school, you always been evClearly, right there taking him to all of his treatments ident in knew you could rely on her to be there Lundgren and making sure he has what he needed,” her househas a pas- Jensen said. “I know there were times when hold. Supsion for that was very hard, but she is a caregiver, no per, for teaching and for children, and it was this love matter if it’s for kids or adults. She wanted to instance, has always been at the kitchen table, a place where anybody was welcome. that inspired Jensen to become a teacher, too. make sure that he was able to stay at home, Lundgren’s devotion to family is immedi- which he was up until he passed away.”

It’s hardly a surprise then that the Lundgren ately recognizable, and she’s always selflessThere were plenty of sacrifices made in house was the center of activity for a lot of ly worked to put their needs above her own. local happenings.

Mother of the Year continued on page 3 Lundgren’s parents lived across the alley “All the kids came to our house to play, and

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The Brookings Register, Friday, May 11, 2018 - 3

Mother of the Year continued from page 2 that time, but that’s what you do for those you love, and she shows plenty of love to her grandchildren.

“My kids have never had day care. They always went to Grandma and Grandpa’s,” Jensen said. And this has meant precious bonding time – usually over a tea party – between Grandma and granddaughters. They also spend a lot of time doing crafts together.

This has even extended into her devoted attendance at her grandchildren’s sport events.

“She is not a sports person, and she will tell you that. She has sat at every one of our sporting events and continues with her granddaughters,” Jensen said.

And Lundgren is still surprising her family.

Her husband served on the Elkton City Council at the time of his death in 2017, and with his seat open, the City Council asked if she’d fill in for the remainder of his term. To her family’s surprise, she did. Not only that, but she’s since earned the spot in her own right, winning election for the seat.

On family trips, Lundgren acts as the family navigator and map reader, giving the driver the necessary directions. Lundgren has also been the map reader of the family’s lives, too, Jensen said.

“Once we get off track, she’s there to try to guide us back to where we need to be. Even today, I’d be lost without her. … Mom has set high expectations as far as motherhood.

I have two daughters, and everything I do, I look back to what she has done.”

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.

Nomination Letter

Every mother is the best but my mother is exceptional. Deanna Lundgren has been my role model as a mother and overall person.

She has always led by example. When I was a child, she showed us how to serve others by starting Girl Scouts in Elkton, becoming my leader and the coordinator for Elkton, being the Boy Scout den leader for my brothers, and teaching all three of her children in Sunday School. She has a strong faith and taught her family the importance of being Christian.

She has always been there to support her three children whether in our education, sports, or life.

Deanna has always put others first. I felt my parents always made sure we had what we needed. As her parents got older, she not only cared for her family at home but she also helped throughout the day take care of her parents so they could stay in their home. This past year, she was the strength and support for her husband (my father) as he fought his battle with pancreatic cancer and went to heaven while at home being cared for by his wife. She has inner strength that could move mountains.

On top of taking care of all her family, she also has been a teacher for over 45 years. During those years, she has been like a mother to countless students.

Teaching them the same things she taught her children at home: to share, to be kind, help others, patience, and the list goes on. She makes students feel important like she does with her own children.

Deanna is also a Grandmother to five granddaughters. She makes every one of them feel special by going to their school events, sporting events, and having them stay over. My two daughters are very blessed to have their Grandma and Grandpa watch them while I work.

My mom has set the expectations high for what a mother should be. As I look at all she has done in her life, she has been a mother to more than just her three children. She has guided children through Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church, school, and in her own home.

Deanna Lundgren is the mother of the year!

(Side note: It is hard to limit her qualities to 400 words but I did my best.)

Congratulations

Leah Brink & Maddie

winners of our annual Mother/ Child Look Alike Contest!

They will receive a FREE photo session and a FREE 16x20 portrait from Melby Photography.

4 - Happy Mother’s Day | Friday, May 11, 2018

2018 Mother/ Child Look Alike Contest

Tessa Dahl & Taya (4), Parker (2)

Nastassa Dutton & Baby Tosha (11)

Megan Hammond & Josephina (4), Ruth (10mo.)

Lynn Darnall & Samantha

Karla Colgrove & Hannah (21), Rachel (18), Harmony (10), Zoe (9)

Emily Erz & Chloe (15)

Laura Davis & Rachel (18), Elizabeth (16), Emily (13)

The Brookings Register, Friday, May 11, 2018 - 5

Dallas Kistler & Abilene (6)

Ashley Lenander & Aubree (1)

Deanna Lundgren, Georgianna Jensen, Maya (11), Madelyn (8)

Dorothy Sayre & Jennifer, Becca, Meredith

Ashley Steinhoff & Addison (8 1/2), Bailey (5 1/2), Chloe (18mo.)

Nancy Flynn & Kayla, Susan, Collin (4), Allison (1)

2018 Mother/ Child Look Alike Contest

Jenna Krogman & Logan (3mo)

6 - Happy Mother’s Day | Friday, May 11, 2018

2018 Mother/ Child Look Alike Contest

Rachel Rogers & Mariah (10)

Dawn Taylor & Lauren (17)

Nyla Schoeld & Kaija (20), Anya (16), Noelle (13), Sophie (10)

Julie Lefebvre & Alonna (12), Treyton (10)

Gail Gullickson & Gage (14), Grady (17)

Sue Karolczak & Kim

Stephanie Vlaminck & Libby (5), Remmi (1)

The Brookings Register, Friday, May 11, 2018 - 7

Kelly Neill & Khloe (6 1/2)

Jesa Pace & Jaxson (9mo.)

Ashley Rentsch & Lillie (9), Eden (8)

Leah Hope & Westin (8)

Stacie Horst & Cassity (18)

Kayla Hovelson & Haylee (8)

2018 Mother/ Child Look Alike Contest Rosalie Huben & Sonia Nupen

8 - Happy Mother’s Day | Friday, May 11, 2018