I was born and raised on a farm in the little town of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. The youngest of 13 surviving children, I always felt a special connection to the number 13, especially as my mom had a great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and the rosary. Growing up I enjoyed raising Shetland Sheepdogs and gardening. I attended UNL and studied horticulture with an interest in landscape design. God had other plans as I grew in my faith from attending the Newman Center and especially through a doctrine class. It was there that I developed a love for Jesus in the Eucharist and began to attend daily Mass. After my first retreat, a priest asked if I had ever considered becoming a Sister. Having attended public school my whole life and not knowing Sisters personally, I responded simply, “No.” However, he encouraged me to pray about my vocation, especially after receiving Communion, with the prayer, “Jesus, please tell me what You want me to do with my life and I will do it.” That spring, I met the School Sisters of Christ the King and in August, through a providential encounter with our Founder, Bishop Flavin, I felt God’s call to our Community. I entered the CK’s in January of 1992, professed First Vows in 1994 and Final Vows in 1999.
After returning to UNL, I completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and had my first teaching experience in 4th and 5th grades at St. Joseph School in Lincoln from 1997-2000. In 2001, I completed an administrative degree in education at Concordia University in Seward and was principal of St. James School in Crete followed by St. Vincent de Paul School in Seward. I returned to teaching at St. Peter School in 2008, teaching religion and sacramental preparation, then as 5th grade homeroom teacher. From 2012-2016 I returned to St. Joseph School and taught 5th grade. From 2016-2019 I was assistant principal at St. Peter School and assistant at the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Lincoln. In 2019, I came back once more to St. Joseph School in the role of assistant principal.
I still enjoy the outdoors and working on the grounds at our Motherhouse. But my greatest joy is having the opportunity to help our students and faculty deepen in their relationship with Jesus and His Church. I have been grateful for my time “back home” here at St. Joseph School and look forward to the opportunities the Lord continues to have in store for our school family.
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