I, Kelly, grew up in Big lake since I was 5 and graduated from Big Lake in 1989. John grew up in Brooklyn Park and graduated in 1997. We have 5 children ages 33,25,21,18, and 16 – 4 girls and 1 boy. We moved back to Big lake in 2012 and our children go to the Big Lake school district. Our daughter, Emily, was a Big Lake Ambassador in 2021-2022. Our youngest daughter, Lexie, is a cheerleader for the MN Jets. John and I have spent countless hours of volunteer work for the Big Lake community and surrounding areas. We enjoy helping out and giving back and meeting new people.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
5 children, 2 dogs, and 6 grand dogs. No grandkids Yet.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We have been here since 2012 together. I grew up here since the age of 5.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
My career is in Health Care and I have doing it since I was 18. I have worked in a variety of settings: nursing home, clinics, hospitals, and geriatric psych. I am currently working for CentraCare as a Site Manager for 6 years. John works for the City of Brooklyn Park in street maintenance and has done that for 25 years.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Kelly -No.
John – Yes, Taco . He was given this name as he and his friends had a taco eating contest from Taco Bell! John ate 18!
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Kelly loves Pretty Women and John loves anything with Adam Sandler in it.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would be steak and Diet Coke for the both of us
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Our favorite hobbies together are camping and snowmobiling.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
We want to travel the US in our camper after we retire.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Pay off bills and travel.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
Kelly – My RN Nursing program was a challenge as I was pregnant with our 5th child and working at the same time.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
Our parents have both been married for over 50 years and still going strong.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Our children and how they have grown to be respectful and caring people.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Bob’s Towing, Trails, Pizza Factory
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
That we still have plenty of wildlife refuge to enjoy.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Volunteering is a rewarding way to contribute, and it can simultaneously provide you with valuable experience.
