The Golden Link Senior Center’s Experienced Americans for June 2019 are Jackie and Jerry Lindsay. Jackie worked with Crookston Public Schools for 40 years until her retirement last month, while Jerry, who continues to work as an on-call pharmacist, has been employed with RiverView Health for 45 years.
Jackie, who grew up in Fairdale, ND, said it was her sister that set her and Jerry up. “I was raised on a farm near Fairdale, ND as the fourth of five kids,” said Jackie. “I graduated from high school in 1972 and then from North Dakota State University [NDSU] in 1976 with degrees in physical education, health, and coaching. I got married to Jerry on January 8, 1977, and we’ve lived in Crookston ever since. My sister was the one who actually set us up, and I guess it stuck. We’ve been married for 42 years.”
Jackie worked at Polk County Bank for a couple of years before beginning a 40-year career with Crookston Public Schools. “We started our family in 1978,” said Jackie. “We have three daughters Stephanie, and twins Allison and Angela. I worked for the Crookston Public School for about 40 years, first as a substitute teacher. Then I coached basketball, volleyball, and softball for many years, and I was a paraprofessional for the last 25 or 30 years.”
Jerry, who grew up near Bathgate, ND as the fourth of four brothers, moved to Crookston to work part-time for Eagle Drug and part-time for RiverView Health after graduating from NDSU. Jerry would join RiverView full-time two years later serving as it’s Director of Pharmacy for 20 years. “I worked at RiverView for 20 years as a staff pharmacist and then took over as the Director of Pharmacy for 20 years,” said Jerry. “I decided to step down from that and work as an on-call pharmacist whenever they need someone to fill in. So, June of this year, I am there 45 years now. I’ve also worked at many pharmacies around the area including most in Crookston – Thrifty White, Eagle Drug, Medicine Shop, Pamida – and then the local ones around the area and still do that today. I’m still working, but that might change a little bit with Jackie retiring. But I’m still on call at RiverView and actually working a couple of days next month.”
Both Jackie and Jerry have been involved with various boards and councils at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Crookston Food Basket Committee and Jerry is on the Crookston Men’s Chorus. Jerry, who is also on the RiverView Foundation Board said he’s happy to see the new construction at RiverView. “It’s pretty exciting,” said Jerry. “Especially the rooms are very small on the inpatient unit. For example, people who have surgery have trouble getting in and out of the bathroom. I’m also on the RiverView Foundation Board now, and we are fully engaged in supporting the construction project. It’s very well needed, and I’m happy to see it.”
The Lindsay’s enjoy biking and taking in sporting events including the Crookston Pirates, NDSU Bison, Twins, Lynx, Timberwolves and Vikings. They also enjoy biking. The Lindsay’s raised three daughters, Stephanie along with twins Angela and Allison. And Jackie says they enjoy spending time with their family watching the grandkids in sports and on stage. “We enjoy spending time with our family,” said Jackie. “We have seven grandkids. Our kids are Stephanie, and she’s married to Ryan. They have two kids, Andrew (11) and Leah (9). Stephanie is a pharmacist at Sanford, and Ryan is an assistant athletic director at NDSU. Allison and Brian live in Brooklyn Park and have three kids Reese (12), Isaac (11), Marcus (10). Allison is a physical education teacher, and volleyball coach, and Brian is a director of finance for Border Foods. Angela is married to Jason. They live in Davenport, IA. They have two kids Henrick (9) and Lincoln (7). Angela is an educational consultant, and Jason is the director of acute care at Genesis Hospital.”
Jerry said it’s an honor to be named the Experienced Americans and that the Lindsay’s have been blessed to reside in Crookston. “It’s nice to be honored,” said Jerry. “We feel that we’ve been blessed living in Crookston these many years. It’s a great town to grow your kids and have your family. And to make out as far as your career and retirement.”
The reception for Jackie and Jerry will be Friday from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. with a short program at 2:00 p.m. at the Golden Link Senior Center.
