Read Brief Bios

I taught first grade at Cooper School in Minneapolis. The other first grade teacher was Ethel Baxter ’58 (deceased). I shared an apartment with Marlys Jensen ’58 (deceased).

I married Karl Kaufman ’57 on July 11, 1959. Upon his 1961 graduation from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, he joined the United States Air Force as a dental officer. He served two years at Larson Air Force Base in the state of Washington, then for three years at Air Force bases Sculthorpe and Lakenheath, England.

So after five years in the Air Force, we had moved numerous times. We’d had great travel and lots of fun. We were barely 30 and were ready to settle down in the “real world.” Cloquet, Minn., has been a fine place to raise our family, build a dental practice, and retire.

We have two sons, both St. Olaf graduates. Dave is a neurologist in Green Bay, Wis. Rob is an endodontist in south Minneapolis. We have two nice daughters-in-law and six high-achieving grandchildren, ages 7 to 17.

I did the community and church volunteer duties. Our home was filled with our boys’ friends. I served as receptionist and bookkeeper in the dental practice for several years. I thrived in my role as wife, mom and homemaker. I especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School and have appreciated my PEO membership.

And by reunion time, I will be a five-year breast cancer survivor!

We’ll travel later this year to Vienna, Austria, to celebrate (albeit early) our 50th wedding anniversary, seeking our fill of Mozart and Strauss concerts. It will be our first trip back to Europe since the ’60s!

So, life is good. God is good. My wonderful Macalester experience, in the company of all of you, has blessed my life, bringing me continued appreciation of classical music, travel, relationships, curiosity, problem solving, new skills and other influences so ingrained that I no longer recognize them to be of college origin.

I attended Karl’s Mac 50th with him last year, so I say, “Trust me – we’re going to have a super time!”