Linda (Straight) Nilsen

It's impossible to believe that 50 years have gone by since our graduation!  But I guess it is believable when you think of all the life that has been lived in the meantime!

After high school, I attended California Lutheran University  in the LA area, then  transferred  to San Jose State  and  graduated  with a BA  in History and Psychology. In college, I met my sweetheart, Gordy Nilsen, and we were married after graduation. He then attended Seminary and I did my post-grad programs in Education  at UC Riverside and finished at Chico State University.  I wasn't going to be a teacher because my mother taught school, so the joke is on me, because I taught for 33 years before retiring a number of years ago. I specialized in  teaching children with behavior and learning difficulties, and  autistic and mentally challenged children. It was a difficult but very rewarding field.

Gordy and I have been married for almost 47 years. We have 3 fantastic children and 2 dear grandchildren. We are so grateful for so many blessings in this life!
We have been Minnesotans since 1975. More grad school brought us to MN and we just never left! We enjoy the theater of seasons here, although I will admit that I'm not as fond of winter as I once was!

In retirement, I spend my time traveling ( the photo was taken this Spring in Italy), gardening, reading, and playing with my grandkids. I'm also a Field Editor for Taste of Home Magazine and an educational consultant for  the MN State Historical Society.  In addition, during the past 15 years, I've been privileged  to participate in English Literature Studies in the UK, and that has truly been a dream come true. Life is good!

I'm so looking forward to seeing all of you at our 50th!
Linda