I was born in Fairbanks, and moved to Anchorage at the beginning of my sophomore year. I was in Band all three years, and played the bassoon and clarinet. My folks, my brother, Jim, and I lived at 12th and S Street. After graduation, I attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO. Donna Barrett and I went down together and were roommates our freshman year.
I met Terry Carlstrom at CSU and we married at the end of our junior year. He was from a ranch in Walden, CO, about 100 miles north of Fort Collins. Ranching had always been my heart’s desire, and I lived at the ranch for 23 years, and raised a son, Scott, and a daughter, Stacy. A foster child, Spring, came into our lives and our hearts at age 14, and she is my third child. Terry and I divorced in 1985, and I moved into the town of Walden.
Walden is a town of 700, high in the Rocky Mountains (8100 feet) and near the Continental Divide. There are about 700 more people throughout the county, and that’s it! We have long, snowy winters and fabulous, but short, summers. The economic base is cattle ranching, timber, and tourism.
I worked for 14 years for the US Forest Service, and held the position of Visitor Information Specialist at the front desk, retiring 6 years ago.
My involvement with my Church keeps me busy, and I also volunteer at the Senior Center on occasion. I have recently worked for the Census for a few months. And I have the contract with the Denver Post to deliver the paper in and around town. It’s a very small route, and only takes about 1 ½ hrs. a morning.
I have 4 cats and 2 dogs, which are good company, and keep me busy. I hope to do some traveling one of these days.
I have 3 grandchildren that are now teenagers! They all live within 100 miles, so I get to see them frequently.
My folks lived in the Pioneer Home for quite a few years, but both are gone now. My brother lived in Alaska for 55 years. He and his wife now live in Spokane.
I did attend the 25th reunion in Seattle, but this is my first reunion in Anchorage, and I am really looking forward to it!
