Deb Theisen gave her classification speech this week at Rotary.
'I grew up on a farm in Wanamingo, MN. I have three sisters: Tammy, Jeannie and Crystal. Tammy and Crystal still live a couple hours away and Jeannie has been out in Idaho for 25 years. My mom and dad still love on their farm. I try to help them as much as I can to keep them there. They have been battling some serious health issues.
Our daughter Tayler was born 8-24-2000. She is our pride and joy. I married my husband Scott over 20 years ago here at the Shattuck Chapel across the street. Our daughter was our flower girl!
We started off living in Faribault, then Medford, then Owatonna for 10 years, but our daughter graduated from Medford Highschool. We moved back to Faribault after she graduated about 6 years ago and we live here now. Taylor is our only child and my favorite person on this planet. She was always in everything and taught me to get more involved. After she graduated high school, she went to college at Mankato State University. Taylore graduated from Mankato State University with Construction Management and Project Management Degree. She was offered her first adult job as a field Engineer in Hawaii and has been there almost 2 years now. She lives on Oahu but also was recently on a project for a few months on Maui in Lahaina where it burned down.
My daughter from Hawaii and my sister from Idaho come home for the holidays and sometimes a week in the summer for some boating and summer fun. I love Donahue's Greenhouse in Faribault. I spend too much time there in the summer. They have the most beautiful flowers.
Hawaii is a fun place to visit Tayler. I have been lucky enough to go there twice. Hopefully again sometime! The first time I went with my mom to help Taylor get over the hump of being home sick! Then later, Scott and I went for a winter vacation.
Family Adventures we have had include boating, hiking, swimming, surfing, parasailing, snowshoeing and Viking games. We also have enjoyed kayaking, camping, skiing, snowboarding and swimming with dolphins and sharks! I brought my daughter on a lot of adventures over the years. Now, she sends me pictures of dolphins which is just another Saturday for her, free diving with pods of 50 dolphins.
Now we are empty nesters! Or having a midlife crisis. We aren't sure yet. We love spending our summers at the river and staying out on our boat. This summer we will be at a slip Wabasha on the Mississippi River. I love the bluffs and eagles over there. I wasn't sure if it would make me seasick, but there is something relaxing about sleeping in a boat on the water!
I have been very blessed to have the best friends!
I am a Big Sister to Annabelle. Becoming a "Big" is wonderful! I will continue to be a Big Sister and Volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters in southern MN. We have so much fun! Some of the highlights so far have been horseback riding, the MN zoo, kayaking, movies, hiking, dinners, laser tag, and making Annabelle smile!
My new team- ServiceMaster by Ayotte! I started there in the first week of 2024 as their sales and marketing executive. I have known Beth Ayotte for years and met Tom while I worked at the radio stations. I was their account representative. This is a family-owned business that Beth's parents started in 1995. She started working for them in 2000. There is something special about working for a local family-owned business. They really treat you like part of the family! Sales and Marketing is my specialty, but Service Master is also teaching me new skills. I am learning estimating for cleaning and restoration projects. I am still learning but getting better every day. The quotes I have done so far range from large manufacturing plants for 24/7 janitorial service, to smaller officers, churches, carpet cleaning and duct cleaning at homes and offices. I am also learning everything I can about restoration services we offer. Our Disaster Restoration team has many years of experience to help with water damage, fires, trauma and mold.
