Board and Staff

AAHFS is currently governed by a volunteer board of 10 members, who provide staff oversight and meet monthly to conduct the business of the program, as well as develop and move forward strategic priorities for continued program growth.

Connie Halvorson

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.

Donald Amdahl

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.

Joan Gatzmeyer

Secretary

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, joined the board in 2021, and serves as AAHFS webmaster as well as secretary.

Keith Detlefson

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 2022 and serves on the Finance Committee.

Pastor Christian Strickland

Christian has been pastor of St. John Lutheran Church and a member of the Atwater community since 2007. 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.

Sandy George

Sandy worked 40 years in public education starting as a kindergarten teacher in Mounds View, 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.

Robin Johnson, CNS

Robin joined the AAHFS board in 2024 and brings considerable health care experience; her career as a nurse includes Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota, and more than 25 years at Willmar Regional Treatment Center. As a clinical nurse specialist, she provides mental health care to veterans at the Saint Cloud VA Health Care System. Robin is a long-time resident of the Atwater community; she enjoys time with her three sons and their families and appreciates many opportunities to serve as a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Joe Groshens

Joe joined the AAHFS board in 2024 and offers valuable legal expertise. Joe moved to the area from Minneapolis in 2010 and doesn't ever plan on going back. Joe works for Harvest Bank as compliance officer. When Joe is not driving kids around to various extracurricular activities, he enjoys spending time on and in the water with his wife, Emily, and their five kids.

Denise Kragenbring

Denise joined the AAHFS board in 2026. Born and raised in Atwater, Denise is a graduate of Atwater High School and Gustavus Adolphus College, where she earned her nursing degree. Her nursing career includes hospital and clinic work, as well as 36 years with Kandiyohi County Public Health, from which she retired in 2025. Denise was involved in the Atwater Area Block Nurse Program during its early years, serving as a visiting home nurse, and now gives back to the community by bringing her extensive knowledge and experience to her AAHFS board role.

Dean Nelson

Dean is a farmer and lifelong Atwater area resident. Dean and his wife, Beth, a retired ACGC teacher, have two adult married children and one grandson. Previously serving as an AAHFS volunteer for events such as the annual golf tournament fundraiser, Dean joined the board in 2026 with a desire to help plan care for local seniors into the future.

Angel Hall

Program Director/Service Coordinator

Angel joined AAHFS in 2025 with 35 years of healthcare experience, including 29 years in the dietary department at Cura Care Center (previously CentraCare Rice Care Center). As foodservice director, she managed overall operations and the nutrition needs of residents. Angel has lived in the Willmar area most of her life; she and her husband, Steve, have two young adult sons and enjoy family time fishing and camping. Angel’s other interests include cooking, baking, canning jams, and “thrifting” with friends.

Stephanie Johnson

Health & Wellness Coordinator

Stephanie joined the AAHFS team in 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.

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