Although Pam Kunert says she is “of retirement age,” she has no plans to stop working anytime soon. For the past 10 years, she has worked at Traditions of Preston, an assisted living facility with a capacity of 26 residents. Regarding her time at Traditions, Pam explains, “I was the nurse here for eight years, and then I became the housing director and the nurse for two … [Read more...]
Michelle Quanrud finds her niche in web design
Like most people, Michelle Quanrud’s career path has not been a straight line. She’s worked in a variety of jobs, but since 2010, she’s worked for SMG Web Design and she recently took time to explain her job and what’s kept her at it for nine years. “Jason (Sethre) who owns the Fillmore County Journal also started SMG Web Design 10 years ago, and originally I came on just … [Read more...]
Firefighter Hanson inspired by her father
“I wanted to be a firefighter because when I was growing up my dad was a volunteer firefighter,” states Julie Hanson, speaking of her dad, Terry Hanson, who was the inspiration behind her becoming a firefighter with the Wykoff Fire Department in Wykoff, Minn. When his pager would go off for the Fountain Fire Department in Fountain, Minn., “He would up and leave his family … [Read more...]
Balancing act
When it comes to working women juggling their careers and family, Judy Christian, owner of Stumpy’s Restaurant and Bar of Rushford, Minn., has a few words of advice. “You gotta make time for both,” states Christian, and showing her children what hard work is has also given them a chance to spend time together as a family. Christian purchased Stumpy’s Restaurant and Bar from … [Read more...]
Harstad becomes Chatfield’s first female firefighter
Jill Harstad has always had a burning desire to become a firefighter, and recently that passion for helping others became a reality. Harstad, 35, grew up in Lanesboro, Minn., and graduated from Lanesboro High School in 2000. After marrying her husband, Andy and moving to Chatfield, she set her sights on becoming a firefighter with the Chatfield Fire Department. When asked … [Read more...]
Julie Kulsrud runs authentic Mexican restaurant in Fountain
When Julie Kuslrud opened Los Gables in 2006, she had plenty of experience as a waitress, having worked as one at various restaurants for most of her adult life. However, running her own restaurant was a whole new ball game. On top of that learning curve, she also knew nothing about Mexican food. “I didn’t know an enchilada from a burrito,” she said, laughing. So why did … [Read more...]
Burdey’s Cafe owner passionate about building customer relationships
Rushford native Kristin Burdey always had a soft spot for the idea of owning a little eatery, but never really gave the concept any detailed planning. Instead she dove into work for a franchise restaurant and excelled in her position. Throughout her time there, she saw little things she would do differently if she ever owned her own place. “I met my husband in the restaurant … [Read more...]
Pickett a “permanent” fixture in Preston
Lisa Pickett always enjoyed watching people get their hair done, so naturally, when the time came to choose her career, she waved other options and got straight to work with her scissors. Pickett, who grew up in and graduated from Preston, Minn., attended Austin Area Technical Institute in 1983-84, where she received her certification in cosmetology. Pickett began working … [Read more...]
Root River Vet Clinic enjoys benefits of a family business
Dr. LeAnne Froese already owned the Pet Medical Center in Winona with Dr. Deb Finnegan, but when they saw that the Root River Veterinary Clinic in Preston was for sale, they saw an opportunity for expansion. The two purchased it from Dr. Linda Sifford and took ownership in September 2014. Dr. Finnegan works full-time at the Winona vet clinic while Dr. Froese works full-time … [Read more...]
Vaupel knows importance of quality work
If you’re going to do something, then do it the best you can. This is the idea behind Lisa Vaupel’s work ethic. Vaupel has always needed a creative outlet and for ten years, that outlet came in the form of newspaper advertising design. While she enjoyed that work, she aspired to do something different, so when the opportunity came to purchase the business formerly known as … [Read more...]