She was born and raised in Waseca, a small town in southern Minnesota. As one of 6 siblings they always had music in their lives. Serving her church in music ministry with the guitar combo, and playing guitar and trumpet in her family band for weddings and dances at various veteran’s clubs kept her family close. Managed by her mom and chauffeured by dad they traveled around in her dad’s green work van mostly for weddings of their huge family of cousins, county fairs and other gatherings.

As a people person she has worked in various settings including a nursing home, day care center, and several adult group homes. She attended St. Benedict College and graduated with a degree in Social Work. After meeting her husband, Pat who is from Chippewa Falls, WI they settled in Coon Rapids, MN where she worked as a social worker for a group home serving adults with developmental disabilities while he finished grad school. There they started a family including two girls and twin boys before moving to Hudson, WI where they have been since 1995. Shortly thereafter, she opened a home day care while the children were young and remained in business for 28 years before retiring in June 2023. She has been actively involved in school and community activities while raising a family and continuing to serve others through opportunities at St. Patrick Parish in Hudson including music ministry. She loves playing guitar and singing, helping others, spending time with her growing family and friends, reading books, taking walks, riding bike, campfires, going out for drinks and dinner, and having more time to travel.