The Crookston Education Association will have a retirement party Friday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Crookston Eagles for the retirees of Crookston Public Schools. This years honorees are Eddie Desrosier, Belinda Fjeld, Karen Hanson, Jackie Lindsay, Denice Oliver, Vanessa Crowell, Terry Clauson, and Julie Tiedemann.
Eddie Derosier
Derosier has spent 37 years with the Crookston School District. His first year was as a bus driver in 1975 and was a bus driver for 22 years. He has spent the last almost 20 years as a paraprofessional. Derosier said he’ll miss the kids. “The one thing I’ll miss for sure is the kids,” said Derosier. “As a bus driver a lot of kids I had in the 70s and 80s, now I have their children here. It’s been amazing, I’m really going to miss all the kids.” Derosier said he’d like to travel now that he’s retired. “My wife is retired from the school district,” said Derosier. “We like to do a little traveling. I have a camper. I haven’t seen much of the United States so I’d like to go see it.”
Belinda Fjeld
Fjeld has spent 40 years with the Crookston School District, primarily as a Music Teacher. She also taught computer. Fjeld said she’ll miss both colleagues and students. “I’ll certainly miss my colleagues,” said Fjeld. “It’s been a lot of fun working with the staff here. I’ll miss the kids that love to sing and work so hard. And there have been to many memories to list over the years.” Fjeld will most look forward to cleaning and a possible wedding in the near future. “Roger and I have been very fortunate to have done some traveling already,” said Fjeld. “I’m mostly looking forward to cleaning my cupboards and emptying my closets. We have a daughter that is engaged and I think there might be a wedding next year so we have that to look forward too. I mostly want to be free to go travel and see family, some live in California and my sister in Texas.”
Karen Hanson
Hanson has spent 25 years with the Crookston School District. She started as a lunch lady and has worked as a paraprofessional in all the schools. She even said she had an odd experience that preceded working at the juvenile center. “I went with my sister to visit Alcatraz,” said Hanson. “When I came back I found out I’d be at the juvenile center which was a little odd, however, it was wonderful working there. I’ll miss working with the employees. It’s really like a family and I’m glad I could be part of it.” Hanson said she thinks she’ll be put to work in the field after retiring. “My husband and I farm and I’m thinking he’s probably going to put me in the field someplace,” said Hanson. “We have four kids and five grandkids. We’re looking forward to being able to spend more time going to their events. I hope to travel and I’ll probably help sub.”
Jackie Lindsay
Lindsay first started with the Crookston School District as a basketball coach in 1979. She also coached volleyball and softball. She has worked as a paraprofessional since 1990. Lindsay said she’ll miss the people she works with in retirement. “There are lots of good coaching memories like when we went to state in basketball,” said Lindsay. “I’ll miss the kids, but I’ll really miss the people I work with. I really work with some awesome people.” She said she’ll remain involved with the school in retirement. “I will still be involved with running the clocks at volleyball and basketball,” said Lindsay. “We have three daughters and seven grandkids and I suppose I better say, three sons-in-law. I plan to spend time with them, Jerry and I will probably do a little traveling back and forth to see the kids.”
Denice Oliver
Oliver has been in education for 35 years, the last 31 with the Crookston School District. She taught grades 2-4 before becoming principal of Washington Elementary and Community Education Director in 1999. Oliver said she loves what she does. “They always say if you can go to work every day and enjoy and love what you do that is a great thing,” said Oliver. “I feel very fortunate that I can go to work every day and love what I do. My favorite time is being around the kids. They prove to me that we live in a wonderful world with great promise. It’s a privilege to work with the teachers and staff. I feel extremely fortunate to work with such dedicated and hardworking individuals because I see and hear amazing things every day.” Oliver said she doesn’t want to slow down too much in retirement. “How fast did this happen and where did this come from,” said Oliver. “You’re used to going 120 mph and I don’t plan on slowing totally down. I do want to keep doing something to keep myself busy. With the extra time, I do have the most important thing is spending time with family and friends.”
Vanessa Crowell retired earlier this year as a custodian at the high school. And paraprofessionals Terry Clauson and Julie Tiedemann declined interviews.
