I grew up 6 miles north of Maquoketa. My dad farmed with his dad, my mom was a stay at home mom and I'm the oldest of 3 girls. I graduated from the University of Iowa and began teaching First Grade in Sabula, Iowa with East Central schools. I recently retired after 33 years with Easton Valley Schools (Preston and East Central merged during my time.). My husband also grew up in Maquoketa. He is a retired high school teacher and coach as well as a former Iowa state senator. He is now a policy associate for the Center for Rural Affaires. We have 3 children and two grand dogs. We will gain a daughter-in-law in October as our oldest is getting married. Our two sons graduated from the University of Iowa and our daughter will graduate May 2025 from Cornell College.