Connie Halvorson
Connie Halvorson
Board Chair
Board Chair
Connie retired from teaching at ACGC, where she taught communications and history; she also taught in Ada, MN; Mason City, IA; and Willmar, MN, during her career. Besides regular classroom teaching she taught Adult Basic Education and Alternative Learning. Connie has been on the AAHFS board since 2015 and also serves as Fundraising Chair and helps with transportation and deliveries.
Connie retired from teaching at ACGC, where she taught communications and history; she also taught in Ada, MN; Mason City, IA; and Willmar, MN, during her career. Besides regular classroom teaching she taught Adult Basic Education and Alternative Learning. Connie has been on the AAHFS board since 2015 and also serves as Fundraising Chair and helps with transportation and deliveries.
Donald Amdahl
Donald Amdahl
Vice Chair
Vice Chair
Don was born and raised in the Atwater area and graduated from Atwater High School. He married Sandy in 1968, and they had two boys. Alan, the oldest, is a teacher in Albany; he and his wife Donna have two children-Martha and Anders. Younger son Darren and his wife Jen have three children: Jaden, Ryan, and Ashlyn. Don has farmed all his life and now partners with son Darren and grandson Jaden. Don joined the AAHFS board in 2020.
Don was born and raised in the Atwater area and graduated from Atwater High School. He married Sandy in 1968, and they had two boys. Alan, the oldest, is a teacher in Albany; he and his wife Donna have two children-Martha and Anders. Younger son Darren and his wife Jen have three children: Jaden, Ryan, and Ashlyn. Don has farmed all his life and now partners with son Darren and grandson Jaden. Don joined the AAHFS board in 2020.
Sandy George
Sandy George
Secretary
Secretary
Sandy worked 40 years in public education starting as a kindergarten teacher in Moundsview, MN, and spending the final 14 years of her career as a school administrator in Lake Forest, IL. Sandy and her husband, Jim, moved to Diamond Lake in 2005. They have a daughter and a son and three grandchildren. Sandy enjoys meeting the Atwater residents when she volunteers for AAHFS events. She joined the board in 2019.
Sandy worked 40 years in public education starting as a kindergarten teacher in Moundsview, MN, and spending the final 14 years of her career as a school administrator in Lake Forest, IL. Sandy and her husband, Jim, moved to Diamond Lake in 2005. They have a daughter and a son and three grandchildren. Sandy enjoys meeting the Atwater residents when she volunteers for AAHFS events. She joined the board in 2019.
Keith Detlefson
Keith Detlefson
Treasurer
Treasurer
Keith was born and raised in Lamberton, MN. He received his accounting degree from Ridgewater College in Willmar in 1976, after which he moved to Atwater and was in the banking field for more than 40 years. Keith and his late wife Donna have three children-Brian, Brad, and Kelly-and he coached many basketball, baseball, and softball teams. Keith has also served on numerous boards and committees and joined the AAHFS board in 2021 and serves on the Finance Committee.
Keith was born and raised in Lamberton, MN. He received his accounting degree from Ridgewater College in Willmar in 1976, after which he moved to Atwater and was in the banking field for more than 40 years. Keith and his late wife Donna have three children-Brian, Brad, and Kelly-and he coached many basketball, baseball, and softball teams. Keith has also served on numerous boards and committees and joined the AAHFS board in 2021 and serves on the Finance Committee.
Carolyn Poe, RN
Carolyn Poe, RN
Carolyn (who also answers to her nickname of Tudy) retired as an operating room nurse at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar after 32 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a public health nurse administering vaccines across Minnesota. Carolyn and her husband Larry have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren, and she enjoys being with her grandkids, gardening, and visiting with friends. Carolyn has served on AAHFS' board since 2013.
Carolyn (who also answers to her nickname of Tudy) retired as an operating room nurse at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar after 32 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a public health nurse administering vaccines across Minnesota. Carolyn and her husband Larry have 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren, and she enjoys being with her grandkids, gardening, and visiting with friends. Carolyn has served on AAHFS' board since 2013.
James Olson
James Olson
Jim is a retired businessman and has been in the Atwater area since 1976. He has served on the Atwater Area Help for Seniors board for many years and is currently a member of the Finance Committee. Jim has also been active in the Atwater community as a long-time Lions Club member and a council member of St. John Lutheran Church.
Jim is a retired businessman and has been in the Atwater area since 1976. He has served on the Atwater Area Help for Seniors board for many years and is currently a member of the Finance Committee. Jim has also been active in the Atwater community as a long-time Lions Club member and a council member of St. John Lutheran Church.
Bob Meyerson
Bob Meyerson
Bob is currently Chairman of Cattail Bancshares, Inc., which owns Harvest Bank and Citizens State Bank of Waverly, and he has been a banker since 1977. Prior to that, he earned a PhD in European History at the University of MN and taught for a number of years. Bob has been on the AAHFS board since 2014 and serves on the Finance Committee.
Bob is currently Chairman of Cattail Bancshares, Inc., which owns Harvest Bank and Citizens State Bank of Waverly, and he has been a banker since 1977. Prior to that, he earned a PhD in European History at the University of MN and taught for a number of years. Bob has been on the AAHFS board since 2014 and serves on the Finance Committee.
Connie Overlie
Connie Overlie
Connie has a degree in social work and her passion is for developmentally disabled and seniors; she has worked in both fields most of her life. Connie has served on the Atwater Area Help for Seniors board since 2012 and has met many great people in the community.
Connie has a degree in social work and her passion is for developmentally disabled and seniors; she has worked in both fields most of her life. Connie has served on the Atwater Area Help for Seniors board since 2012 and has met many great people in the community.
Joan Gatzmeyer
Joan Gatzmeyer
Joan retired in 2020 with almost 40 years of editing and administrative experience in marketing and health care consulting services. Joan grew up on a farm near Benson, MN, but lived in the Twin Cities area until 2009 when she and her husband, Dave, moved to a four-acre homestead north of Atwater. Joan serves as St. John Lutheran Church financial secretary and as Harrison Township treasurer. She has delivered senior meals for AAHFS since 2010 and joined the board in 2021.
Joan retired in 2020 with almost 40 years of editing and administrative experience in marketing and health care consulting services. Joan grew up on a farm near Benson, MN, but lived in the Twin Cities area until 2009 when she and her husband, Dave, moved to a four-acre homestead north of Atwater. Joan serves as St. John Lutheran Church financial secretary and as Harrison Township treasurer. She has delivered senior meals for AAHFS since 2010 and joined the board in 2021.
Pastor Christian Strickland
Pastor Christian Strickland
Christian Strickland has been pastor of St. John Lutheran Church and a member of the Atwater community for almost 15 years. One of his favorite parts of being a pastor is visiting with those who are not able to get out of the house as this provides him with an opportunity to visit on a one-on-one basis. He and his wife, Cynthia, have three kids. Pastor Christian has served on the AAHFS board since 2012.
Christian Strickland has been pastor of St. John Lutheran Church and a member of the Atwater community for almost 15 years. One of his favorite parts of being a pastor is visiting with those who are not able to get out of the house as this provides him with an opportunity to visit on a one-on-one basis. He and his wife, Cynthia, have three kids. Pastor Christian has served on the AAHFS board since 2012.
Debra Friedrichs
Debra Friedrichs
Director/Service Coordinator
Director/Service Coordinator
Deb started at AAHFS in September 2015. Her background is working with elderly in assisted living settings and with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Deb's other activities have included the Recreation and Leisure Committee for Advocacy & Inclusion Matter (AIM) of West Central Minnesota, and in her church as a puppet leader and coordinator for Sisters at Heart women’s group. She enjoys time with family and friends and outdoor activities.
Deb started at AAHFS in September 2015. Her background is working with elderly in assisted living settings and with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Deb's other activities have included the Recreation and Leisure Committee for Advocacy & Inclusion Matter (AIM) of West Central Minnesota, and in her church as a puppet leader and coordinator for Sisters at Heart women’s group. She enjoys time with family and friends and outdoor activities.
Lori Hutchinson
Lori Hutchinson
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Lori started at AAHFS in August 2016. She worked in web marketing for Marketing Concepts in Spicer for 21 years. After a short break, Lori took a temporary job working for a law office in Willmar and then had the opportunity to become the volunteer coordinator for AAHFS. Lori enjoys the opportunity to be part of our senior community and learn from our community members.
Lori started at AAHFS in August 2016. She worked in web marketing for Marketing Concepts in Spicer for 21 years. After a short break, Lori took a temporary job working for a law office in Willmar and then had the opportunity to become the volunteer coordinator for AAHFS. Lori enjoys the opportunity to be part of our senior community and learn from our community members.
Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie Johnson
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Health & Wellness Coordinator
Stephanie joined the AAHFS team in September 2022. She was raised on a farm in the Atwater area and graduated from Paynesville High School. Stephanie worked in the mental health field for over 15 years and serves as a volunteer emergency medical technician for the Atwater Fire Department. Additionally, she is part owner of PL Transport in Grove City and a member of the Atwater Lions Club. Stephanie has a daughter and two sons and enjoys spending time with family and friends and her many animals and in outdoor activities, gardening, canning, and crafts.