WE LOVE Big Lake

Hello, my name is Natalie Bender. I am a single mother of 3 beautiful daughters and live in Elk River. I moved out to this area 16 years ago and began my new life. Q:…

Hello! My name is Hanna Klimmek. It’s an honor to be selected as a “Face of Big Lake!” This project is incredible! Since April of 2022, I have served the wonderful City of Big Lake…

Hello, I am Tracy Brings Gruwell. I have called Big Lake my home for my entire life. I am a licensed family child care provider. It a true passion of mine. I love spending time…

My name is Kelly Dilger. I moved to Big Lake in 2005 with my husband, who I met at Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC in 2001 and were married in 2005. I am not originally…

Hi, I’m Melissa Kroll and I have lived in Big Lake since 2000 and love remaining a part of this community where my husband and I can now raise our kids. I have worked in…

Hi I’m Lauren Eid and I’m a Reading Intervention teacher at Liberty Elementary. I’ve been at Liberty teaching full time since 2013 and I love being a part of the Big Lake school family. My…

Hi, I’m Joel Hagberg. I’m a husband, father, and recent retired Big Lake teacher. I spent my entire teaching career here in Big Lake, a lot of which was teaching 4th grade. Since retiring I…

Hi, I’m P.J. Fanberg and I grew up in Big Lake. My wife and I are happy to be raising our family here now. I work for Ritchie Brothers Auctioneer and am the Territory Sales…

Hello! I’m Teresa Smock-Potter and I’ve called Big Lake home almost my entire life. I loved growing up here and I’m so grateful my husband and I can raise our kids here as well. I…

Matthew and I live in Orrock and we own Ember Coffee, located on Highway 10. Elisa manages the store and homeschools our boys, while Matthew works in Cybersecurity and does work for Ember on the…