Le Sueur County Profiles 2014

LE SUEUR

COUNTY

lesueurnews-herald.com

PROFILES

2014

PAGE 2

LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

CULTIVATING PRIDE

Le Sueur pea farmer grows for some of country’s most far-reaching brands

By RICHARD ROHLFING

Correspondent

For David Weyl, growing peas packaged under the Le Sueur and Green Giant labels — peas available in food stores all over the US — represents a unique sense of pride.

When Weyl meets people during a family vacation, for example, and tells them he is from Le Sueur, they make a quick association between the fertile valley and its famous brands.

“I always say we grow peas for Green Giant.”

Likewise, when he and his family are navigating supermarket aisles and run across Green Giant or Le Sueur canned peas, he reminds his two boys, Nate, 14, and Matthew, 12, that those peas may have come from their own fields.

“I tell the kids that they might be some of ours.”

For six years Weyl has been growing peas on his family’s more than 100-yearold farm, which first belonged to his grandfather. Before that, his father grew peas on the land for some four decades, so all in all, he has been involved in pea growing since he was a boy.

“We’ve had links to Green Giant for three generations,” he said.

Weyl does construction as well, but he took over the farm when health problems forced him to consider another form of income. Currently, he

David Weyl and his sons, Matthew and Nathan, stand in front of a tractor on their rural Le Sueur farm. Nathan is

farms about 320 acres and also grows brands owned by General Mills. the ground. For planting, he rents a pea corn and soybeans. This year he devoted Seneca provides him with the seed drill at about $4 an acre.

60 acres to a pea crop, twice what he and sets a rated payment based on early This year he planted the early meplanted in 2013. spring commodity price. dium sweet variety. There are also small Peas are a “touchy” crop; they like it “It’s set to equal corn or beans,” Weyl sweet and early small sweet peas. cool and dry, he said. But the growing said.

Sowing takes place from May 10 to process is relatively easy, and he conHe works ground twice before May 30. Seneca tells farmers when to tracts with Seneca, which processes peas and applies a pre-emergence plant so the company can stagger its Leplanting Sueur Family Dental under the Green-Giant and Le Sueur chemical a day before the seeds go in harvest. After that he is done as Seneca

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comes in for picking, which takes place about 60 days after planting. Payment depends upon tonnage and tenderometer readings. Peas with a tougher texture are less valued.

Weyl discs the ground after harvest or sprays Roundup to keep weeds in check, but some area farmers plant another crop on their pea ground after pea harves. On well-drained sandy areas in the county, farmers grow early small sweet peas, harvest before July and raise a crop of soybeans behind them.

“They can make out pretty well on peas and beans,” Weyl said, “but in mid July, I’m better off working the ground.”

Peas are easy on farmland; they don’t take nutrients out, Weyl said. Corn grown the next year on the same acreage does better. All things considered, Weyl said he probably makes more money raising peas than corn or beans.

The amount of peas grown in the area has declined recently. Root rot, caused by fungi that like wet, warm soil, has been a problem. Fungicide and resistant cultivars can thwart some types of fungal disease, but for others there is no prevention. Spores can remain in the soil, and it may take several years for a field to again become suitable for pea growing. Crop rotation is a control tactic.

This year all the early spring rain wrecked havoc with the pea crop.

Flooding washed out some areas, Weyl said, and weeds grew because a canopy, which would normally block the weeds, didn’t form quickly.

But overall, Weyl said that peas are a good crop to have, and he plans to continue with them.

“To know that your peas are getting consumed by the general public, you want to do as well as you can.”

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 3

REWARDS OF

SERVICE EMT looks back on 42 years with ambulance service

By SARAH OSTERBAUER

editor@lesueurnews-herald.com

The hardest thing for Jim Felmlee is having a front row seat to tragedy.

The second year of his tenure was among the most difficult, said the 42-year Le Sueur Ambulance Service veteran, explaining that in 1974 a handful of young lives were taken by various auto and snowmobile accidents. Thankfully, he said, the service employs a debriefing team to assist its members in processing the tragedies they often witness and dealing with the emotions those situations can bring.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is having the opportunity to deliver a baby.

Jim Felmlee, who has served the Le Sueur Ambulance Service for 42 years, teaches CPR. (Photo by Sarah Osterbauer)

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Ambulance From Page 3 The service has had the joy of delivering two babies. One has Felmlee’s first name attached.

Felmlee began with the service in 1972, just two years after the Ambulance Service was founded. A year prior he began his other career — driving a school bus. He eventually went on to serve as the Le SueurHenderson Schools transportation director, retiring in 2012.

When the service first started, all that was needed to join was training in advanced first aid. Now service members must be certified in CPR and as an EMT. The certification requires upward of 200 hours of training. Costs are covered by the service.

In the early years, the staff would be organized into teams, each one covering one of three shifts for one week. The calendar was set for the whole year and if for someone needed time off, it was their responsibility to get their spot covered. The service now can have trouble getting its members to commit to a full week and teams are not defined.

It is also getting more and more dif-

ficult for the Ambulance Service to find volunteers and as members retire, it can be challenging to fill the open spots.

For Felmlee, it was the love of his community that kept him in two jobs that others might not consider.

What also made the lifelong Le Sueur resident so successful at both may just be his kind, caring nature. Even as he prepares to teach a CPR class, he greets newcomers as if they are old friends.

After class he described why he loves his work with the service so much.

“There was a teacher who told me about the ambulance and I was only planning on staying on for about three or four years and it turned into 40! It gets ya’, when you’re in the system, you’re hooked,” he said.

The thing that he likes best and what brings him back year after year, he says is simply “helping people.” It also helps that since he was a part of the school district for so long, he knows about 80 percent of the people he encounters during his work with the Ambulance Service.

“If there was a kid involved,” he said, “I was the one in the back [of the ambulance]

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because I knew the kids and that helps.”

No doubt Felmlee’s familiar face and friendly disposition make him a light to a sick or injured child and reassured many a worried parent.

He has held every position on the ambulance service, currently serving as its secretary/treasurer. In his early days, he would cover all positions, but since suffering a herniated disc, he sticks to attending meetings and teaching classes.

He not only teaches CPR to civilians, but to instructors as well. He said occasionally he may drive for a transfer but his “ditch days are over, he said, “the ditch” referring to the scene of the call.

As the most senior member of the service, Ambulance Service President Pam Williams says Felmlee’s years of experience are an invaluable asset.

If there’s a question about how something was done in the past, Felmlee is their go-to guy, she said.

“He is a real team player,” said Williams, “willing to help out any of the other members should they need guidance or training.”

IN SERVICE The Le Sueur Volunteer Ambulance Association (Ambulance Service) was established in August 1970.

At the same time, the Le Sueur Ambulance Commission was formed. The commission is comprised of a representative from the cities of Le Sueur and Henderson and every township it serves.

The service, funded user fees and donations, serves an area of approximately 200 square miles (2,600 households). It’s staffed by volunteers and is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

For more information, contact Ambulance Coordinator Jenny Cummins at 507-665-2041 or jcummins@cityoflesueur.com.

Source: City of Le Sueur

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

LE SUEUR PROFILES

WORLD CLASS

PAGE 5

Le Center watchmaker’s experience spans globe

By JAMES STITT

editor@lecenter.com

Greg O’Donnell’s work involves intricate details and tiny pieces, crafting jewelry and watches. Though he works with small things, his story is big, spanning several decades and numerous countries.

Walking into the mini-mall on Park Avenue in Le Center, one can take a right turn for a bowl of hot soup or take a left and walk through the Park Avenue Gallery. Lining the walls are cabinets more than 100 years old, filled with ornate jewelry and precious paintings.

One can walk through the gallery and find a number of antique clocks, from small timepieces to towering grandfather clocks. The items in the gallery range from antiques and heirlooms to the modern day, but no matter when it was made, O’Donnell knows exactly how to craft it or repair it.

Though O’Donnell got his start in a small town and built a business in a small town, his journey has led him across the world. He learned his craft in places like Switzerland

and France.

O’Donnell began his work as a watch/clock repairman and jeweler when he was 13 years old. He then became the youngest apprentice and licensed watchmaker in Minnesota at the age of 16. Before long, he was off to Switzerland to perfect his craft.

“I liked what I was doing, so I got all the degrees,” said O’Donnell.

O’Donnell received a partial scholarship to study in Switzerland, learning horology — the science of measuring time. The program is only available to a few who qualify, and only one American per year.

O’Donnell was in a class of 15, consisting of people from all over the world, including Australia, New Greg O’Donnell helps Julie Harmon look at the vast collection Zealand, England, New Guinea, of jewelry. (Photo by James Stitt) Canada and Germany.

“It was a real honor,” said O’Donnell. “Being a part of that select few.” bituaries . Local N dvertising . O ews age . A He spent the next few years in Bre Cover t n e v E . aking News. L Results ts r o p S l o a c Europe perfecting his craft and working in watch factories. Then he came back to the states and opened up his business in Le Center.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Jeweler From Page 5

O’Donnell has been the owner of Park Avenue Gallery since it opened in 1977.

Though the name of the business has changed over the years, his reputation has not. O’Donnell has a loyal following, customers and friends who swear by his work.

Jim and Julie Harmon have been longtime customers, thrilled with O’Donnell’s work and prices. Julie Harmon said that O’Donnell will make sure that his customer is satisfied, going above and beyond what others will do.

“He will keep working with you until you’re happy,” said Julie Harmon.

The Harmon’s sons and friends also use the services of O’Donnell whenever they need a ring. And O’Donnell does it all, from crafting and selling jewelry to fixing watches and clocks.

And that’s one of the things that O’Donnell enjoys, he loves working with the people. Whether it is repairing an old grandfather clock or helping a young couple find the perfect engagement ring, O’Donnell is there for people during an important time in their life.

“You are a part of people’s lives,” said O’Donnell. “I like what I do.”

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O’Donnell has many different designs and works with customers to create one-of-a-kind pieces. (Photo by James Stitt)

But the business has changed over the years. With the rise of electronics and digital watches, the watchmaking and clock repair was dwindling.

“My profession, it was kind of coming to an end,” said O’Donnell.

But O’Donnell saw an uptick after a few years, as people returned to the watches

and clocks O’Donnell grew up repairing.

While O’Donnell works on repairing watches and jewelry that patrons bring in, his business has shifted over the years to sales. O’Donnell travels the country, selling his work to independent jewelers, and said he often spends more time away from home.

Though the business has changed, O’Donnell still practices the trade he grew up perfecting. He works with customers to design one-of-a-kind jewelry and fix their watches or clocks. O’Donnell has spent several decades helping people, and he said that he couldn’t have lasted this long if it weren’t for the people.

Opened in 1977 by owner Greg O’Donnell. The year before, O’Donnell was youngest licensed watchmaker in Minnesota at the age of 16.

O’Donnell also traveled the world, studying watchmaking in Switzerland and France.

The gallery’s name and location has changed over the years, but still operates in Le Center. O’Donnell repairs watches and clocks, as well as creating and selling jewelry.

Recently, he has also expanded into other areas such as selling prints.

“Over the years, I’ve enjoyed working with the customers and taking their ideas, making something they can wear and be proud of,” said O’Donnell. “That’s my focus.”

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 7

IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER

Le Center business man helps community put meat on table

his favorite part about his job is interacting with customers on a daily basis about the products they have.

Hungry customers from around southern Minnesota stroll in to O’Keefe’s Meat Market, searching for the best meat to grill for a family dinner. Beef tri-tip roasts, ribeye steaks and chicken breasts often get hauled out by the truck load and it’s O’Keefe’s hard work that keeps customers coming back.

Growing up, O’Keefe never thought his interest in conjuring recipes for meats would give him the opportunity to provide southern Minnesota with succulent seasoned meat.

“It’s so nice to be able to walk out of the building everyday with my name on the door, knowing I’ve done what I can to provide customers with quality meat,” said O’Keefe.

By KELSEY HERING

khering@wasecacountynews.com

Growing up in Le Center, Dan O’Keefe always had his eye in the scope of his hunting rifle, locked, loaded and ready to bring home dinner for his family.

Years later, O’Keefe’s love for hunting opened new doors in his life, giving him an interest in feeding his family a variety of different meats from poultry to beef. He now works to provide fresh meat for his entire community.

For eight years, O’Keefe has owned O’Keefe’s Meat Market, his own meat processing company, offering locally raised beef, pork and chicken raised in the local area. But O’Keefe was familiar with the building far before he could call it his own.

O’Keefe’s Meat Market used Dan O’Keefe has been the owner of O’Keefe Meat Processing Market in Le Center for eight years. (Photo by Kelsey Hering) to be known as Nusbaum Meat “We’re always trying new reci- meats has always been impressive. sure everything is always clean for mals he deals with come from loProcessing, and it was where “He’s dedicated to his business the customers and for the safety of cal farms, and, while it might not O’Keefe worked for five years. pes for the satisfaction of our cusand you can see that right when the food,” said O’Keefe. be easy, he does what he has to do O’Keefe says the staff at tomers,” said O’Keefe.

While it’s not easy to come you walk in the front door,” said While there are some glam- for his customers. his shop prides themselves up with the Brad O’Keefe. orous parts of O’Keefe’s job, like “It’s all about the circle of life,” on their most deliA step through O’Keefe’s Meat conjuring up recipes for hungry said O’Keefe. unique GET TO KNOW DAN cious reci- Market, and it’s easy to notice the customers, his business is also While he prides himself on assortpes, O’Keefe cleanliness of the shop, despite the responsible for processing the putting a good product on the O’KEEFE m e n t says when messy work they do. O’Keefe says meat, which is the messiest part shelf for customers, O’Keefe says meats, O’Keefe is a 31-year-old Le h e g e t s it’s keeping the shop clean that’s of the job. m a n y Center native. good feed- not only one of the most impor“A lot of people couldn’t do the using He’s married with two back from tant daily tasks, but it’s also one job that he does, and that’s what’s homechildren. When he was his custom- of their biggest challenges as a so impressive about Dan,” said m a d e young, he’d work on cutting ers it makes business.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAYING RESPECTS

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Le Sueur cemetery groundskeeper’s work offers serene place to remember loved ones

By KELSEY HERING

khering@wasecacountynews.com

On the outskirts of Le Sueur, Mound Cemetery serves not only as a place for mourning, but also the place Le Sueur native Leroy May spends his time making sure the landscape serves as a peaceful place for visitors to keep the memories of their loved ones alive.

When May grew up, he never imagined himself as a groundskeeper for a cemetery, but a few years after retiring from Green Giant Co., May’s friend and funeral director at Kolden Funeral Services, Darrell Kolden

approached him with an obscure idea.

“I said to him, Leroy, you should be the groundskeeper at Mound Cemetery, and he agreed,” Kolden recalls with a laugh.

With prior management and mechanical experience at Green Giant, May thought it’d be a good opportunity for him to go back to his roots doing handson work, getting some exercise and working outdoors. He began the part-time job almost immediately, working around 20 hours a week.

Leroy May has served as the groundskeeping supervisor at Mound Cemetery for seven years, beginning his work there shortly after he retired from Green Gi-

See RESPECTS on 9 ant. (Photo by Kelsey Hering)

GET TO KNOW LEROY AND MOUND CEMETERY Leroy worked in the ‘80s as a supervisor for Green Giant. While there, he managed budget and was an outdoor manager on site.

While May has retired from Green Giant, he still couldn’t stay away from being active outdoors, which drove him to become the

groundskeeping supervisor for the Mound Cemetery in his hometown.

Mound Cemetery was established in the 1800s, and while there are 20 acres of land housing the dead, Kolden believes that the cemetery won’t run out of space until years beyond the end of his lifetime.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 9

Respects From Page 8

Now, seven years later, May still finds himself tending to the land, spraying every creeping charlie and dandelion in sight, and making sure the lawnmowers, weed trimmers and other equipment are always in good working condition.

Kolden says a job like May’s needs someone who makes sure blades on the lawnmowers are sharp, oil is changed on equipment, and lawnmowers are fixed when they break down.

“He’s the perfect guy for the job. He’s mechanically inclined and he always makes sure the job gets done,” said Kolden.

While most of his job involves fixing machines, May’s responsibilities also include leveling out new grave sites, planting grass seed on each site and trimming branches throughout the cemetery.

May says his favorite part about his job is the mechanical work.

“I love the troubleshooting process and just fixing things.

It keeps you thinking and keeps you young,” said May. While May admits that maintaining the land of a cemetery isn’t the most glamorous job, he says that it isn’t primarily about tending to the dead, but it’s also about keeping the place alive with freshly mowed grass and a clean landscape for visitors.

“I always want to make it look as nice as I can for people that visit the cemetery,” said May.

May says that he and another groundskeeper keep themselves pretty busy during the spring and summer months.

“It usually takes about three days to mow the lawn and it takes even longer to go around each stone and individually trim the weeds around it,” said May. But despite the hard work, May says it’s all worthwhile when he receives compliments on the appearance of the cemetery.

“People are usually pretty cordial, and they like it when the place looks nice,” said May. Kolden says the cemetery often receives compliments because of May’s hard work.

“He’s particular about the small things, and he always wants things to be done the right way. People like it because the entire job gets done,” said Kolden.

While May does receive compliments, he also knows that many people are uncomfortable with the idea of being at a cemetery for more than just a burial service. And May says that being around stones that date from the Civil War to just last week gives him perspective, not only about life, but about death as well.

“Death is just a process. It’s really human nature, and making sure this place looks nice gives both the living and the dead the respect they deserve,” said May.

ABOVE: Le Sueur’s Mound Cemetery is located just off Elmwood Ave. on the southern end of town.

The cemetery is home to more than 20 acres of land lined with grave sites. LEFT: Long time friend of Leroy May, Darrell Kolden has served as Funeral Director at Kolden Funeral Services in Le Sueur for 44 years. (Photos by Kelsey Hering)

Reach reporter Kelsey Hering at 507-837-5451 or follow her

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MAKING WAVES LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Joe Kern is county’s first full-time water patrol officer

By RICHARD ROHLFING

Correspondent

For Le Sueur County Sheriff ’s Deputy Joe Kern, serving in his first season as the county’s water patrol officer is kind of like being a bouncer.

“I make sure everyone on the lake is following the rules while having a good time.”

The Water Patrol performs the statutory duties of law enforcement on waterways and patrols the many lakes in the county as well as the Minnesota River, said Le Sueur County Sheriff Dave Tietz. Kern is the county’s first fulltime licensed water patrol officer.

From keeping boaters safe to protecting the natural resources, he has many responsibilities.

Patrolling the lakes in the department’s aluminum boat, Kern makes sure watercraft are licensed and carry enough life preservers and fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are required on jet skis and boats with enclosed engines.

He looks for underage drinking, boating under the influence and passengers riding on unsafe places. He also checks the noise levels of boats and that jet skiers are maintaining proper distances from the shore and other boats.

“Sometimes it’s a battle between recreational and fishing guys,” Kern said.

He checks for fishing licenses, and while at one of the county’s 21 public accesses, Kern looks for plants that boats may be carrying into the water in order to help cut down on invasive species.

The Water Patrol also issues permits for some activities, including temporary structures and special events. Rental boat operators must fill out an application and submit their boats for inspections by the Water Patrol.

It also maintains the buoys that mark shallow water or hazards.

With the flooding on area lakes, Kern helped clean up floating debris.

Kern’s responsibilities include responding to near drownings, drownings and watercraft accidents. The Water Patrol also provides specialty services such as ice rescue and works closely with the sheriff ’s seven-member Dive Team. All the dive equipment is stored in a dedicated dive van and ready around the clock, said Tietz.

Investigator Bruce Collins is the Dive Team captain.

The Water Patrol works closely with all the lake associations and appreciates all their input, Tietz said. It also works with the county’s municipal fire departments and side by side with the Department of Natural Resources.

Lake Washington is one of the county’s busier lakes, and Water Patrol Deputy Joe Kern spends a fair amount of time ensuring

See WAVES on 11 everyone who uses it is safe. (Photo by Richard Rohlfing)

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 11

Waves From Page 10

Kern, a Mankato native, graduated from St. Peter High School. Inspired by a brother in law who is a Twin Cities Metro police officer, he earned a degree in law enforcement from Minnesota State University. After completing his skills training, he has spent the last five and a half years in the Le Sueur County Sheriff ’s Department.

Kern was a “utility guy” before becoming a full time deputy. Serving as a dispatcher, he learned how to work better with dispatch when on patrol.

Working as a jailer and bailiff, he got to work alongside attorneys and better understand their needs.

“It was a long journey but worth it,” Kern said.

In late winter this year, Tietz lobbied the county commissioners to make the Water Patrol position full time with a licensed officer. The commissioners were supportive. Kern replaced Water Patrol Deputy Ken Krenik, who served in the position for 16 years before retiring last fall.

“Ken did an excellent job,” Tietz said.

Each lake has its own personality, Kern said. Some are more dedicated to fishing and others to recreation, but that may vary depending upon the time and day. Kern visits four or five lakes each day.

His schedule varies, but he picks days and lakes that he knows will be busy.

“I kind of follow the crowd,” he said.

He makes contact so people on the water know the sheriff ’s deputy is present.

“I don’t have to make a lot of stops as long as boaters know we are out there,” Kern said. “I do a lot of waving.”

But overall he said that people on

Joe Kern in his aluminum patrol boat. (Photo by Richard Rohlfing)

the area lakes are generally well behaved. He issues about four warnings for every one citation.

“You’ve got to be doing something pretty stupid on the lake to get a ticket.”

A lot of his work is public relations, Kern said. The Water Patrol spends a lot

of time educating boaters, for example.

“Joe works well with the public, which is a must when dealing with recreational safety,” said Tietz.

Part-time Water Patrol Deputy Leroy Thelemann educates the county’s youth on water safety, said the Sheriff.

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Thelemann travels to all the elementary schools in Le Sueur County and teaches some 400 fourth graders each year on water safety.

Kern said his role patrolling the area lakes and working out of a “mobile office” fits well with his personality.

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“I’m an outdoorsman,” he said. “I’ve been a hunter and fisherman my whole life, so being on the water is something I like to do.”

In the winter, Kern plans to continue to work outdoors on snowmobile patrol.

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PAGE 12

LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Nicollet County Bank Employees Give Back to their Community!

The Nicollet County Bank encourages its officers and employees to participate in community functions. During the year of 2013, the officers and employees have been involved with the following boards, committees, clubs and organizations.

Member of St. Peter Lions Club Member of St. Peter American Legion Club Member of Masonic Lodge Member of Osman Shrine Member of VFW Post 1220 Member of Linneaus Arboretum GAC Member of Masonic Lodge #54 Director of Shoreland Country Club Member of St. Peter Ambassadors Member of Rotary Club Treasurer of Greenlawn Cemetery St. Peter Lions Club Board Member St. Peter Area Hospice Committee Member St. Peter Regional Treatment Center (SPRTC) Volunteer Council Secretary & Gluek Memorial Park Admin.

Board Member Member of St. Peter Retail Promotions Committee Member of Gustavus Library Associates Member of St. Peter Chamber Public Affairs Committee Member of Shoreland Country Club Board Member of St. Peter Basketball Booster Club/Treasurer Volunteer SPHS Basketball Statistician Treasurer of SPHS Golf Booster Treasurer/Member of the Echos Big Band Member of St. Peter Rotary Club Member of Nicollet County Farm Bureau

Member of Nicollet County Soybean Growers Assn.

Member Nicollet County Corn Growers Association Nicollet County Planning & Zoning Advisory Committee Nicollet County 4H Adult Volunteer Director and Treasurer of Kiwanis Club of St. Peter Director and Treasurer of St. Peter Sons of the American Legion Treasurer of St. Peter School Board Member of Lake Washington Club Member of St. Peter Chamber of Commerce President of Nicollet County Holstein Association Member of RIM (Nicollet County) Advisory Committee for NRCS Member of Nicollet County Farm Bureau Chairman of U of M Southern Research & Outreach Center Advisory Committee Member of MN Holstein Association Member of St. Peter Chamber Public Affairs Committee Member of St. Peter Chamber Business/Education Committee Vice Chairman Member of South Central Technical College Farm Business Management Advisory Committee Member of Sioux Trails Mental Health Service Advisory Committee Member of South Central College Center of Agriculture Advisory Committee

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Member of H.S. Agri-Science Advisory Committee Member of St. Peter High School Co-Curricular Committee Member of St. Peter Economic Development Agency Board Member St. Peter Chamber-2nd Vice Chair Region 9 Development Loan Committee Board Member Troop 58 Boy Scouts Committee Member Member of St. Peter Catholic Women Member of MN Emergency Medical Services Assn.

Volunteer Religion Education teacherChurch of St. Peter Licensed foster care provider thru Lutheran Social Services Member of Nicollet County Farm Bureau Member of Norseland Lutheran Church Ladies Aid Member of St. Peter's Catholic Church Women Member of Nicollet County Corn & Soybean Growers Member of Nicollet County Pork Producers Alter Care & Funeral Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church St. Peter High School Gymnastics Concession Coordinator Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringer since 2011 First Choice Pregnancy Center Volunteer Member of United Way Committee

we’re just a small-town community bank, but...

we’re big on 220 South Third Street • Telephone 931-3310 • St. Peter