Hello! We are Lenette and Bruce Brown. We are proud members of the Big Lake community and have been here since moving from California in 2017. Moving closer to some of our children was our reason for leaving California and since then we have embraced Big Lake as home and met wonderful people. I have been proud to serve on the Big Lake School Board and Bruce is active in Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and American Legion Post 147. We enjoy being active and engaged with the events and organizations in Big Lake and look forward to continuing this in the future.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have 3 grown kids – 2 daughters and 1 son. We also have 2 grandchildren. Our daughters live here in Minnesota and our son lives in California.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
We moved to Big Lake in 2017 from California. Bruce – I lived in Duluth from 1977 to 1981 while I was in the Air force but did not want to move back to Duluth with that cold! Big Lake worked out perfectly for us and being close to our kids.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
Lenette – I was a Food Service Director in a California school district. Earlier in my career I worked for Marie Callender’s and then went into senior nutrition and eventually child nutrition. Once we moved to Big Lake I volunteered at the Maple Grove Hospital, as well as, the Big Lake Food Shelf where I was Treasurer. I wanted to stay active in the local schools and have a seat on the Big Lake School Board. Bruce – I was in the Air Force and then was with the Orange County Fire Department full time. Currently, I volunteer with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and have been doing this since 2018. I also belong to, and assist with, the American Legion Post 147 here in Big Lake.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Lenette – I had a family nickname when I was young which was Netty. Bruce – I had nicknames from my mom as a child but was also called B3 and Big Deal!
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
Lenette – I love to read just about everything! I also like The Crown and old sitcoms. Bruce – I like Yellowstone, Longmire, and Bluebloods.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Lenette – I would have diet coke and pizza. Or chicken dumplings. Bruce – Beer, pizza and chocolate!
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Lenette – I love being with my family. I have 9 siblings! Bruce – I enjoy mountain biking and anything that I can show to our grandson, Liam. We both like to travel.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
We would both like to go to Ireland and Scotland.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
We would take care of our kids and grandkids, buy a new car, and a house or two on different beaches.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
This is a tough question. We don’t feel like we have had major challenges and we have a wonderful life.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Lenette – I would get rid of my freckles! Bruce – I would be more tolerant and just be a better person.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
Lenette – I have to say my mom. She is truly a saint. Bruce – I consider my parents heroes. I appreciate what they had to grow up through.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
Our family is our greatest accomplishment. There are always ups and downs raising a family but we have a wonderful family. Neither of us are shy and we’re always up for an adventure – like moving to Minnesota from California. As a result, we have met some great people.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
Two Cute Boutique, Lake Cafe, and Third Rail.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
Definitely the people. It is the great people that make up this community.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
We would tell people to engage in the community. Get involved. And keep an open mind.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Bill Hannay, Greg Green and Tim Truebenbach
