About Me

For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom, raising three kids and huge gardens in Minnesota. After the kids were grown and building their own families, it was time for Mama to start her college experience. I graduated from Minnesota State University—Moorhead in December 2006 with a B.A. in English/Mass Communications. For excitement while pursuing a dual major I drove a squad car transporting the chemically impaired to detox, and in my spare time remodeled a 103-year-old farmhouse and started my editing service. I nearly achieved a master’s degree in English/Technical Writing from Mankato State University, but then my editing business took off, and grandkids began arriving at regular intervals… After a couple of decades of writing, researching, and self-publishing, I started Minion Editing & Design 15 years ago and have since worked from home as a freelance editor, writer, typesetter and designer.  I live in West Fargo, North Dakota, my 48th stop on life’s road. (Only time will tell if it remains an even four dozen!) Along the way, I’ve had catering, crafts and wellness businesses, taught the art of bread-making and managed a county historical society. I taught Sunday school and worked with youth for 30 years. I was a Certified Nursing Assistant and once managed an assisted living facility. I’ve tutored English and math, written grants, sewn costumes for the drama departments of several schools, and organized various events and fundraisers. I was a school cook/baker, was a full-time RVer for a couple of years, and have stained/varnished/refinished more cabinets and furniture than I care to count. I’m passionate about genealogy – my travels (another passion!) have taken me to Canada, Ireland and numerous U.S. states (even Iowa!) – and I’ve written three family histories. My kids will never be able to say they don’t know where they came from! I love learning new things and enjoy travel (Ireland!), reading, my eight grandkids, gardening, quilting, genealogy, baking, collecting (almost everything before I downsized), photography and family, not necessarily in that order. My wide range of interests has prepared me well for the diverse subjects of the books I prepare for publication.