I have lived in Wadena (120 miles northwest of Princeton) since 1974. I retired from a 39-year career with the national nonprofit Experience Works(known as Green Thumb from 1965 until 2000). My roles included 12 years as an Employment & Training Coordinator, and 25 years as the Minnesota State Director.
I worked at the Midland Cooperative hardware store in Princeton from 1972-74. This followed graduation from St. Cloud State in 1972 with a teaching degree in scial studies education. I attended my first two years at Anoka-Ramsey Junior College.
I “flunked” retirement and am currently semi-retired, having taken a part-time driving job in May 2015 with Peoples Express, a provider of medical passenger transportation.
I married Onni Sharp of Audubon, MN in 1986. Onni was teaching high school in Wadena at the time. In 1989 we had our first daughter, Bethany, and in 1991 our lives were further blessed with the birth of another daughter, Katherine. Onni stayed home with Beth and Katie for 9 years, and then has taught both full-time and part-time since then at Staples-Motley.
In 1982 my life changed radically as I committed my life to serving Jesus Christ. I have been given opportunities to share this faith in a variety of ways over the past 35 years.
My hobbies and interests include golf, pickleball (any other classmates addicted to this great game?), fishing, X-C skiing and snowshoeing, and traveling with Onni. I was fortunate to serve as an assistant tennis coach for 8 years while my daughters played for Wadena-Deer Creek HS.
Bethany and Katie both graduated from the University of St. Thomas and now room together in St. Paul. Beth works at US Bank and Katie teaches 3rd grade. They are each a blessing beyond words.
I so look forward to reconnecting with classmates, some of whom I haven’t seen since our 10-year reunion! Until then, “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” (Keillor)